On the morning of Friday, October 16, 2026, Melanie Dawn Zandee unexpectedly passed away. As of writing this, the cause of her death is still unknown. She went to be with the Lord at age 63. Melanie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marcia DeMey. Melanie was born in Western Springs, Illinois, on August 14, 1963. In 1972, the DeMey family moved back to Grand Rapids. She went to school at Grand Rapids Christian, where she was a cheer leader and started dating her future husband, Don, who played on the football team. She graduated from Calvin College in 1985 and married Don on June 22nd that summer.

Work. Melanie taught at West Side Christian School for 31 years. She loved teaching classes and liturgical dance to her students. Later, she gave up full-time teaching to work at Grand Rapids Christian Elementary, where she applied her real-life experience and passion as a para-pro helping students with special needs.

Faith. Melanie's life with Jesus was everything to her. She did liturgical dance for many church services, schools, and funerals. She was always involved in bible studies, praise teams, and choirs. Melanie lived self-sacrificially. She always used her faith to serve students, young girls, underprivileged youth, and kids with special needs. Even after years of pain and losing her abilities, she volunteered at the Juvenile Detention Center, helping young men at risk.

Interests. Melanie lived life to the fullest. With Don, she loved to boat, camp, and beach-comb. She loved being in, on, or by the water. She loved her pool and garden. She loved to travel with Don to wherever they could hike, explore, snorkel, chase dolphins, or simply read by the water. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, children, and grandchildren.

Melanie was also survived by her husband of 41 years, Donald Zandee; her children, Nate Zandee, Jordan Zandee, Aubrie Zandee, Jesse and his wife Brooke Zandee; her four grandchildren, Carson, Jackson, and Maddox Zandee, and Jonathan Zandee; her sisters Julie Girton and Amy Byl, brothers-in-law Kevin Girton and Doug Byl; brothers Dave DeMey and Gregg DeMey, sisters-in-law Mary DeMey and Sarah DeMey; her in-law's Jim and Joyce Zandee, Tom and Gail Zandee, and Tim and Kristin Zandee; many nieces and nephews, friends, and church family.

Visitation & Funeral Information. A visitation service will be 5-8:30 pm on Thursday, October 22, at Kentwood Community Church (KCC) (1200 60th St SE, Kentwood, MI 49508). The funeral will be on Friday, October 23, at 11:00 am, at KCC, officiated by pastor Stacy Vanden Berge.

Memorial Contributions. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Living Stones Academy, Tim Tebow Foundation, or Our Rescue, an organization for rescuing trafficked children.

"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain"

Philippians 1:21