Negaunee, MI- Melissa Ann (Haukkala) Heribacka, age 43 of 19 Sandy Dr. Negaunee passed away Saturday January 31, 2015 at the UP Health System-Marquette where she had been a patient for 1 day.

Melissa was born April 13, 1971 in Ishpeming to William J. & Frances (Dye) Haukkala. She attended schools in the NICE Community School District until her sophomore year and graduated from Bi-County High School. Melissa worked as a waitress at Sherri's Restaurant, then continued to work for Sherri caring for her daughter Kaylee. She also worked for AMCAB for their head start program watching over the preschool children.

Melissa enjoyed working with crafts, scrapbooking or reading a book. She was meticulous about her fingernails and had a soft spot in her heart for stray animals taking in several cats. Her pride and joy was her daughters Shea & Ashley and her grandson Alec. Melissa was honored with a trip to Disney World and Universal Studio's with her daughter Shea through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Melissa is survived by a daughter: Ashley (Matthew) Cody of Ishpeming, her mother Fran (Jim) Lahtinen of Negaunee and her father William (Lynn) Haukkala Jr. of Ishpeming, a grandson Alec Cody, a sister Lindsay Haukkala of Ishpeming, a brother Bill Haukkala of Ishpeming, her grandmother Margaret Haukkala of Ishpeming and her childhood friend Sherri and her daughter Kaylee Krellwitz along with several aunts, uncles and cousins. Melissa was preceded in death by her daughter Shea Heribacka in 2013, grandparents: Herbert & Angela Dye, William Haukkala Sr. and Robert & Lois Watters.

Melissa's family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 from 11:00am until 12:00 noon at the Trinity Lutheran Church where a memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon with Rev. Kenneth Lahners officiating.

A luncheon will be held in the church fellowship hall following the service.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .