Martha Melchi

Martha Faye (Winslow) Melchi, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and dear friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on September 12, 2025, at the age of 91. She will be remembered for her gentle nature, patience, kindness and generosity; gifts she was willing to share with everyone she met.
Affectionately known as the Butterfly Lady, she floated through her time on earth with a care-free and positive outlook on life. To quote her most famous line, 'That's the way it be'. If we can learn one lesson from her, it is how to make life into a royal flush despite the cards you were dealt.
Martha was born into an Amish family in 1934 in Conway Springs, KS, daughter of the late Polly (Miller) Caseman. In 1945 she and Polly headed across the country to Sturgis, MI where she graduated from Sturgis High School. Martha was the first member of her family to go to college, attending Michigan State University, encouraged by one of her high school teachers.
Martha married the love of her life Max Melchi on February 11, 1956. He sent her daily love letters while serving in the Navy; over 200 in all, which her children read to her while she passed into God's hands. May we all find strength in their beautiful relationship as they reunite in heaven.
Martha resumed her studies at Central Michigan University after getting her youngest of 5 children into 7th grade. With teaching degree in hand, she became a 1st grade teacher in the Meridian School District, impacting thousands of lives over her 25-year career.
Martha is survived by her half-sister Paula Jo Winslow of Bullhead City, AZ, and children, Mona (Mark) Leeder of Grand Rapids, Mary (Perry) Clark of Commerce Township, Mark (Jenny) Melchi of Ann Arbor, and Marty (Felicia) Melchi of Chicago.
Martha deeply loved her 11 grandchildren: Ryan Leeder, Andrea Witczak, Jeannette McCoy, Tana Mankus, Pam Melchi, Chrystie Bail, Aaron Clark, Austin Clark, Jacob Melchi, Nicholas Melchi, and Caroline Melchi. Martha also is very proud of her 9 great grandchildren: James, Thomas, Drake, Chase, Braxton, Julia, Ally, Ariana and Jolyana.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband Max and her son Michael (Julia) Melchi.
A visitation for Martha will be held at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler St., Midland, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. A funeral service for Martha will take place at 11:00 am, Thursday, September 18, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 505 East Carpenter Road, Midland, MI. Family will receive friends at the church starting at 10:00 am until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Martha's name to either Midland Dow Gardens, Recreation Department at Grand Village Assisted Living and Memory Care, 3939 44th St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418, or Martha's charity sorority Psi Iota Xi-Midland chapter.
All of us at Ware Smith Woolever are honored the Melchi family has entrusted us with the care of their loved one. Condolences to the family may be made at wswfh.com.