Melinda Joy Rhea

Melinda Joy Rhea

Abingdon, VA

Melinda Joy Rhea, 65, passed away peacefully at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia on April 9, 2025. She was born on October 16, 1959, in Freeport, Illinois to the late Paul and Beulah Klaus. A lifelong servant of the Lord, Melinda was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport, where she enjoyed worshiping and fellowship with her church family. She had a beautiful voice and cherished singing in the church, and sharing her faith through her love for Gospel music. On October 9, 1982, she married the love of her life, Oscar Rhea. Together, they built a life filled with love, faith, and service. Their journey took them to Washington, D.C., where Melinda worked as an administrative assistant for Rylee and Comstock Law Firm for ten years. During their time in Maryland, she also served as a youth minister, guiding and inspiring young hearts in their faith. In 1995, Melinda and Oscar returned to Freeport, where she continued her career as an administrative assistant in the auto and home insurance industry. In 2019, after years of dedication to her work, Melinda and Oscar embraced retirement and moved to Abingdon, Virginia. Melinda was a friend to many, known for her kind heart, unwavering faith, and warm spirit. She touched the lives of those around her with her love, compassion, and steadfast belief in the goodness of people. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother, “Little” Paul Klaus, Jr.; Grandparents Carl and Lois Brudi and Henry and Grace Klaus; brother-in-laws and sisters-in laws, Shirley Lawrence and husband Franklin “Chain”, Kathleen Rhea, Wade Maloyed, Tim Rhea, Buddy Rhea, Ralph Rhea, and Frances Robbins; and aunts and uncles, Audrey Siegmeier Spahr, Bill Siegmeirer, Harry Spahr, Gloria and Roland “Bubby” Suttman, Robert and Jean Klaus, and Evelyn Foster.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Oscar Rhea of Abingdon, Virginia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Roger Rhea, David “Ben” Rhea and wife Wanda, Michael Rhea and wife Tammy, Smitty Rhea and wife Rita, Rickey Rhea, and Stuart Robbins, Brenda Amstein, Betty Maloyed, Karen Rhea, and Teresa Rhea; several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; Aunts and uncles, Carol and Wayne Westaby, Jack Foster, Armin and Jolene Brudi, George and Mary Brudi; and many cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Rev. Willis Schwichtenberg officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at Our Redeemer. Melinda’s final resting place will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.