Michelle was born September 29, 1969 in Cedar City, Utah to John Estep and Alice (Forbes) Estep. Her sisters Melynda Denise, Melissa Elaine and Melani Dale were added to their family in the following years.
The family moved from Utah and lived in and Wyoming and Colorado during Michelle’s childhood. In 1983, the family moved to Loveland, Colorado, where they lived until Michelle graduated from Loveland High School in 1988.
In 1989, she met her soon to be husband, Davon Dutton. They moved to the Dutton Dairy family farm in Eastern Colorado where they worked for many years and were blessed with three children – Tyler Ray in 1992 and twins, Brandy Nicole and Brady Jacob in 1994. In 1999, the family relocated to Hotchkiss, Colorado, where Michelle worked in the lunchroom and drove the school bus. She was known by the local kids as the fun bus driver who decorated her bus during Christmas and gave them treats on Halloween and Valentine’s Day. Michelle and Davon later divorced.
Once her children were older, she began her career as an Optician. First, in Hotchkiss at North Fork Vision Center for 8 years and then at Fairmount Eye Care in Grand Junction for 10+ years. In these roles, she touched so many people. It has been said she could “sell glasses to a blind man”. If you came in for a pair of glasses, not only would you get “a pair of glasses”… you would also leave with three pairs of funky designer glasses you’re not sure if you would wear again… but because she made you feel like you looked awesome in them, you would wear them proudly around town… and come back in the office to tell her about it.
To those who knew Michelle, she was the brightest light in the room, the life of every party… a radiating smile that would make everyone feel welcome and a such a contagious laugh… oh her laugh! No event was dull, no holiday quiet, no moment forgettable when Michelle was around. Whether she was jeeping with you in Moab, camping at Blue Mesa or hanging out at a family function, you could always count on Michelle to bring laughter, smiles and energy.
Michelle struggled with mental health issues for many years. She battled demons most of us cannot fathom. Although she fought, and fought hard for so long, she was not able to conquer them. Ultimately, she made the decision to end her life and move to a world where she would find peace. Michelle knew Jesus as her Lord and savior and that brings peace to those who knew her. She committed her life to Jesus Christ during high school. And although it was sometimes a bumpy ride, when times were tough, she turned to God for support. Some of her last words were from Romans 8:38-39. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Michelle was the grandmother, aka Mema, to three grandchildren, Jase Lofton (8), Autumn Dutton (3) and Bennett Dutton (7 mos), and a baby girl, who Michelle called her “Angel Baby”, due this May. She was beyond proud of her kids and grandkids. She was also blessed with 3 nieces, 3 nephews and one great-niece.
Michelle is preceded in death by her father (John), sister (Melissa) and step-father (Marlin) as well as grandparents.
Donations in Michelle’s name can be made to: Reformers Unanimous Recovery Program, 1600 Ute Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501 - https://secure.anedot.com/landmark-baptist-church-of-grand-junction/donate
