1962
Melissa
2022
Melissa Kress
February 17, 1962 — November 21, 2022
Ms. Melissa Jane (Downs) Kress, 60, St. Charles, IL, left her earthly body for Heaven on Monday, November 21, 2022. She fiercely battled pancreatic cancer for nearly two years prior, never losing faith. Melissa spent her final days pain free, surrounded by loved ones.
Melissa was born on February 17, 1962 in San Francisco, California to parents Paul and Patricia Downs. She spent her formative years in Dixon, Illinois. After graduating from Dixon High School, Melissa continued her education at Judson College where she studied sociology, psychology, and anthropology. After double majoring, she worked as a Case Worker at Easter House for 5 years and an Office Manager at Liquid Assets for 11 years before landing at the Hanover Park Park District. While at HPPD, Melissa worked as an Adult Tennis Coordinator (5 years), Executive Assistant to the Director (7 years), and was the Athletic Club Manager, beginning in 2012. Melissa raised two daughters, Kristen and Kaylen, in Bartlett, Illinois with Robert Joseph Kress.
Throughout her life, Melissa was a true servant of Christ. She was heavily involved with Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, where she led Vacation Bible School and produced the Children's Christmas Pageant for a number of years. Melissa also volunteered on numerous mission trips and was an adult leader in the youth group. Apart from the church, she established the annual Chicago Wheelchair Classic at Centre Court Athletic Club in 2013, which was held through 2019. In 2022, the GLASA Chicago Wheelchair Classic honored Melissa's contributions to the wheelchair tennis community by creating and presenting her with the "Melissa Kress Award."
In the free time that she could find, Melissa loved to play tennis and travel. She played and coached a number of tennis tournaments from Cincinnati to Puerto Rico and she never passed up an opportunity to sit on a beach or watch a sunset. Melissa was also known to be a fantastic cook and baker - her thumbprint cookies are still requested every year! But most of all, Melissa loved being a mom. Her love and guidance touched the hearts of so many.
Melissa was preceded in death by her mother, father, and sister, Jennifer Jo Chapman. She is survived by her partner, Steve Smith, children Kristen Black (Amanda Black) and Kaylen Kress (Zack Shriver), and brother, Paul Thomas Downs.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 751 Army Trail Rd, Bartlett, IL 60103 on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 4:00 PM CST.
In lieu of flowers, Melissa's family request donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: http://support.pancan.org/goto/TeamWalkByFaithPurpleStride2023
Melissa was born on February 17, 1962 in San Francisco, California to parents Paul and Patricia Downs. She spent her formative years in Dixon, Illinois. After graduating from Dixon High School, Melissa continued her education at Judson College where she studied sociology, psychology, and anthropology. After double majoring, she worked as a Case Worker at Easter House for 5 years and an Office Manager at Liquid Assets for 11 years before landing at the Hanover Park Park District. While at HPPD, Melissa worked as an Adult Tennis Coordinator (5 years), Executive Assistant to the Director (7 years), and was the Athletic Club Manager, beginning in 2012. Melissa raised two daughters, Kristen and Kaylen, in Bartlett, Illinois with Robert Joseph Kress.
Throughout her life, Melissa was a true servant of Christ. She was heavily involved with Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, where she led Vacation Bible School and produced the Children's Christmas Pageant for a number of years. Melissa also volunteered on numerous mission trips and was an adult leader in the youth group. Apart from the church, she established the annual Chicago Wheelchair Classic at Centre Court Athletic Club in 2013, which was held through 2019. In 2022, the GLASA Chicago Wheelchair Classic honored Melissa's contributions to the wheelchair tennis community by creating and presenting her with the "Melissa Kress Award."
In the free time that she could find, Melissa loved to play tennis and travel. She played and coached a number of tennis tournaments from Cincinnati to Puerto Rico and she never passed up an opportunity to sit on a beach or watch a sunset. Melissa was also known to be a fantastic cook and baker - her thumbprint cookies are still requested every year! But most of all, Melissa loved being a mom. Her love and guidance touched the hearts of so many.
Melissa was preceded in death by her mother, father, and sister, Jennifer Jo Chapman. She is survived by her partner, Steve Smith, children Kristen Black (Amanda Black) and Kaylen Kress (Zack Shriver), and brother, Paul Thomas Downs.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 751 Army Trail Rd, Bartlett, IL 60103 on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 4:00 PM CST.
In lieu of flowers, Melissa's family request donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: http://support.pancan.org/goto/TeamWalkByFaithPurpleStride2023
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melissa Kress, please visit our flower store.
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