Melissa Lou-Ann Orris

Mel was born in Normal, IL to Joyce (Lishka) and Merv Prochnow on April 11th, 1974.

She is survived by her children: James Logan Ball, Gabriel Quinn Orris, and Kessa Rae-Ann Orris, all of El Paso, IL; her sister, Carmen Prochnow of Bloomington; her brothers, John Weaver of Kankakee, IL, Robert Weaver of Kankakee, and Michael (Melissa) Todd Prochnow of Pingree Grove, IL; her nephews: Blake Weaver and Joey Prochnow; her nieces, Kassidy Weaver and Adrianna Prochnow; her partner and high school sweetheart, Ken Orris; her bestie, Stacey Roeske; and by her fur babies, Raam Noodle, Lola-Bella, and Rizzo Scarlet.

Mel was preceded in death by her parents Joyce and Merv Prochnow and by her grandparents, Luella and Ernst Prochnow and Milton and Winnie Henson.

She had an eye for beauty which included everything from interior design to cosmetics. She had a passion for doing make-up, hair, and helping others feel gorgeous. She loved her purses and was never seen without her favorite Kors bag in hand.

She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside; she was known by all to be kind, generous, and relentlessly positive. You couldn’t help but smile around Mel and there wasn’t a room she entered that she didn’t bring sunshine to.

She wanted everyone to be assured that she was fighter to the end, that she never lost her joy, and disease never broke her spirit. Although her time with us was far too brief, she is at peace and will be remembered with gratitude for every smile, every moment, and every memory she brought.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor to the GoFundMe (http://gf.me/u/w6c7nw) which will go towards assisting her children.