Melissa Alice (Rains) Richardville, age 71, of Bridgeport, died on July 3, 2025, at Carle Richland Extended Care Suites in Olney, IL after several years braving cancer treatment.
Born February 20, 1954, to Gerald and Janet (Van Doel) Rains, Melissa graduated from Hutsonville High School in 1972. She began her career at Crawford Electronics in Robinson, where she worked until the company closed. She then returned to school and earned her nursing degree from Lincoln Trail College.
Melissa worked at several local nursing homes before becoming a staff nurse in the Oncology Department at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. While there, she offered not just medical care, but also kindness, strength, and the kind of compassion that could not be charted. Her patients were special to her, and it would not be uncommon for her to purchase an item they needed or even take them out for a cruise.
Melissa loved finding interesting treasures at auctions and experiencing new sights on her many adventures. On summer days, she would be filling hummingbird feeders and tending to her flowers or garden. She had a knack for growing both common and unique plants and nurtured them with the same gentle persistence she gave to people. In her younger days, Melissa was a member of the Black Powder Club and, for several years, helped organize the “Welcome Tent” and ham & bean supper for the Oblong Antique Tractor & Engine show. Melissa loved being quirky and gifting “out of the box items,” especially chainsaws.
In 2006, she married Charlie Richardville, and he survives. Also surviving are her two daughters, Melissa “Anne” Garrard (Rodney Morris) of Louisville, IL, and Michelle Garrard presently in Robinson, IL; one granddaughter, Iva Correll of Robinson, IL; and her siblings, Debby Nidey of Marshall, IL; Georgeanne (Paul) Pinkston of Old York, IL; Gerald “Bud” (Tara) Rains of Hutsonville, IL; Bruce Rains of Hutsonville, IL; and Suzan (Douglas) Spurgeon of Clarksville, IN. Additional survivors include her stepchildren: Charles K. Richardville of Bridgeport, IL, and Brenda Harmon of Rockford, IL; as well as several step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Terry Adams, nephew Dustin Pinkston, and stepson John Richardville.
Melissa’s family wishes to extend a heart-felt Thank You to the staff at Carle Richland Hospital Extended Care Suites and Carle Hospice for providing quality, compassionate care during her final months.
Melissa asked to keep services simple. A visitation will be held at Pulliam Funeral Home in Hutsonville, IL on Wednesday July 9th, 2025, from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers or other mementos, her family invites you to honor her memory with a donation to the Angel Tree Program to bring Christmas joy to local children. Envelopes will be available at the Pulliam Funeral Home in Hutsonville, IL or may be directly mailed to the Angel Tree Program, 216 East Main Street, Robinson, IL 62454
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