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Megan Szczepanik Obituary

Szczepanik Megan M. Szczepanik, age 29 years, beautiful and beloved wife of Major Edward V. Szczepanik, USAF, entered the Kingdom of God on Thursday, May 9, 2013 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. A loving wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend, the former Megan Rychwa was born to John and Donna (Groulx) Rychwa on February 7, 1984 in Corsicana, Texas. Growing up, she attended schools in Longview, Texas, Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Midland, Michigan, graduating from H.H. Dow High School in 2002. She graduated from Western Michigan University in 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance. Megan began her career with Edward D. Jones in Saginaw, MI, and transferred to an Edward D. Jones office in Charleston, SC in 2007. In 2011, she accepted a position as the Administrative Coordinator to the College of Graduate Studies at The Medical University of South Carolina, a job she left the same year due to her illness. As a child Megan excelled in many sports and made lasting friendships with her teammates and coaches. In addition to sports, her hobbies included floral design, camping, traveling, and shopping. One of her greatest joys was vacationing with her family and the memories created will never be forgotten. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Charleston, SC, and its Finance Committee. In October 2009, she met the love of her life, Major Edward V. Szczepanik, USAF. They were married on September 10, 2011 at Sacred Heart Church by the Reverend Father Dennis Willey. In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by a brother, Eric Rychwa of Midland, MI, his fiancée, Ashley Katzinger, and her son, Braiden; her maternal grandmother, Margaret Groulx of Munger, MI; paternal grandmother, Ethelyn Rosinski of Bay City, MI; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; her in-laws, Michael and Mary Szczepanik of Columbus, OH; sisters-in-law, Suzie and Sarah Szczepanik; her cat, Chloe; and many close friends that fought the battle with her until the end. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather Joseph Groulx, her paternal grandfather Ronald Rychwa, her uncle Michael Groulx, and her aunt Cindy Rychwa. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 10 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 1503 Kosciuszko Ave., Bay City, MI. Rev. Fr. Dennis Willey will preside and interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. In addition to flowers the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be directed in her memory to the Neuro-biology and Brain Tumor Program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. Visiting hours are Monday from 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. at the W.A. Trahan Funeral Chapel, 256 N. Madison Ave., Bay City, MI and Tuesday at church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass. She brought joy to everyone and will be missed by all who knew her and loved her. May she find peace and love in "God's Paradise." www.trahanfc.com

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from May 10 to May 12, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Megan Szczepanik

Sponsored by Rychwa & Szczepanik Families.

Not sure what to say?





Merry Christmas pretty girl!
I love you ??

Mom

December 24, 2013

Jeannine and I are so sorry for your family's loss. Remember,even broken heart's keep beating.....

Jeff Pretli

September 23, 2013

John, I am so sorry for you and your family's loss of your beautiful daughter. I will keep you and yours in my prayers.

Michelle Smith

May 28, 2013

John and Donna, I am so sorry for the loss of Megan. You are both in our family's prayers and thoughts. James & Jennie Dees

James Dees

May 27, 2013

John and Donna,
My deepest sympathy for your loss.

Neal Williamson

May 23, 2013

John,
I want to express my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your beloved daughter. I pray that God will take up residence within your heart, and within the hearts of all who are mourning the bright light that Megan brought to those who knew and loved her. For it is in God's presence and under His authority that comfort, peace, blessings and hope abound. May your burden by eased and your countenance be lifted by His grace.

Pam Cheval

May 22, 2013

Donna,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your beautiful daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Julie Warmbier

May 15, 2013

Donna,

Been such a long time..... I wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and praying for your lovely angel. God bless you all.

Jill Urban (Sabourin)

May 14, 2013

John and Donna,
I'm not sure if you will remember me from school but i just wanted to tell you both how sorry I am about your Beautiful Daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Michelle Carey-Shooltz

Michelle Carey-Shooltz

May 14, 2013

To the Family & friends of Megan,Our thoughts and prayers go out to you on the loss of Megan,May GOD guide you all through this painful time and bring comfort & peace to you all. The Urban's

May 14, 2013

John, Donna, and Eric,

Sorry to hear about Megan. Thoughts are with you.

Sincerely,

Melodie

Melodie Sheets

May 14, 2013

my sincerest thoughts and prayers for the loss of a beautiful and intelligent young lady. may she rest in peace.

larry szczepanik

May 14, 2013

Very sad to hear this.
I always saw Megan as a wonderful person with a fantastic family. Healing Prayers sent.

DEAN RICHARDS

May 14, 2013

John, No words will work or really help at this time after the loss of your beautiful daughter. I have no comprehension of what it's like to lose a child, only that as a parent, it's my worst nightmare. My thoughts and prayers to you, Donna and all your family at a time of such great sadness.

I only hope the sunshine will one day come back into all your lives and you will be able to remember Megan without tears but with a smile for all the joy she must have brought to you all.

Murray

Murray Hall

May 14, 2013

Donna, I just read in the Midland Daily News of Megan's passing. I am so sorry for your huge loss! My son died three years ago from cancer. I feel your pain. Jean Ducham, Midland, MI

Jean Ducham

May 13, 2013

Donna, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family.

Carol Roach

May 13, 2013

My prayers and thoughts go out for both families. May God Bless all and carry you through these difficult times.

Jon Jonas

May 13, 2013

May God bring this family peace and comfort and the ability to trust Him in all things! My love and sympathy.

Tara Novit-Thomas

May 13, 2013

I am very sorry to hear this. You are in my family's thoughts and prayers.

Jordan Norman

May 13, 2013

Sorry for your loss. You and both families are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rob Schmidt

May 13, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

Heidi Johnson

May 12, 2013

Ed, God bless and we'll keep you and the entire extended families in our prayers. Megan and your entire team put up a great fight and I know she will be missed by all. Shiner

Greg and Julie Schwartz

May 12, 2013

My prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Megan was a beautiful person inside and out and touched so many people. She will be deeply missed!

Angela & Chris Alford

May 11, 2013

Sarah Szczepanik

May 11, 2013

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Praying for healing and comfort for you, Ed, and your families.

Sue Strauch

May 11, 2013

Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to you Ed and your families. May you find peace and comfort with each other during this time of great sadness and loss.

Wes & Jen Skenfield

May 11, 2013

Ed,

Kristy and I are so sorry for you and your family's loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Sparky.

May 11, 2013

Thoughts and prayers be with you.

Dora Kanyo

May 11, 2013

I as so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you -

Lisa Beattie

May 11, 2013

Sorry for your loss i send my condolences God bless your family <3

May 11, 2013

Megan thank you for touching all of our lives. My prayers go out to both families during this tough time.

Jeff Moss

May 11, 2013

So sorry for your loss. Such a beautiful woman gone too soon. Rest in peace sweet girl.

May 11, 2013

There are many wonderful things about Megan, but perhaps the ones that I admire most are her ability to combine phenomenal inner strength and courage with kindness and generosity to others. There are constant reminders of her in my daily life, but these impressions will stay with me forever. May she continue to live on in all of our hearts and minds.

Ed Krug

May 11, 2013

The sweet memory of Megan will live in my heart forever. May God comfort all of you closest to her. God bless Eddie the most loving husband ever! Precious Reunions await us all in heaven! St.Judes has always been my charity of choice. Making contributions with Megan in mind will make it more meaningful to me to do what I can.

In Christ,
Jan Miller, Charleston SC

Jan Miller

May 11, 2013

Our condolences go to both the Rychwa and Szczepanik families at the death of this courageous young lady. Our tears join with yours in sorrow and we hope that a cure is found soon.

Herb & Bev Truax

May 11, 2013

I knew the Szczepanik family from Calumet Christian School. Not sure if you remember me, but wanted you all to know that I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kimberly Bennett-Tice

May 10, 2013

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256 N. Madison Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708

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