Melinda Ruth Roberts

On Monday, August 11, 2025, Melinda Ruth Roberts of Bridgman, Michigan, surrounded by her children, dog, and good music, passed away losing a fierce second battle with breast cancer at the age of 69.
Ever so coolly, during her first battle with breast cancer nine years ago, Melinda sat down to write her own obituary which was found in a stack of papers. So we share her words because her family wouldn’t dare to say it any better or more simply because she was not a simple person. She wrote:
“Melinda’s greatest loves were her children, grandchildren, nieces & nephews. She loved all sports, music, and the water. She embraced her Christianity. She wanted to put a smile on or touch everyone she met. She truly believed in “passing it on.”
She was extraordinary.
Melinda is survived by her children MacKenzie (Nigel) Harper, Christopher Lauer, Melaina (Lorenzo) Mallette, and Ryon Tym; her grandchildren, Kyin Kenreich, and Zoey and Zaria Mallette; her siblings Mike (Peggy) Roberts of Galien, Laurie Iden of Kalamazoo, Dwight (Linda) Roberts and David Roberts of Galien; life-long friend, Marcia Marbeiter Rifenberg; 11 nieces, nephews, and their spouses and 15 great -nieces and -nephews; her Moffitt and Roberts cousins; Galien Class of ’74 alumni, and her loving dog, Roary.
She was proceeded in death by her parents Lt Col Maurice Roberts and Ruth (Moffitt) Roberts, nephew Jason Roberts, great-nephew, Braden Roberts, and friend, father of her children, and cancer fighting partner, Keith Lauer.
To memorialize and celebrate her, the family invite you to join them on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 1:30pm Eastern at the church located at 105 W. Second Street, Galien, MI 49113. You are welcome to send planters or donate to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
In lieu of a visitation or luncheon, the family will be hosting a non-traditional visitation to share memories, tears, laughter, light appetizers and an opportunity to toast our Melinda. This will take place on Friday night, August 15th, from 5pm-8pm at Watermark Brewing in Stevensville, MI. This venue is family friendly, casual, and will have live music, which Melinda loved, outside starting at 7pm. If your love language is cooking, you are welcome to bring an appetizer or dessert to share.
A private family burial of ashes will take place on a later date at the Galien Cemetery.