Melissa was born on January 31, 1989, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Randy Leu and Angela Stott. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School and continued her education at Southeastern Community College. Melissa worked as a Customer Service Manager at Walmart, as a CNA and Home Health Care. On August 17, 2013, Melissa was united in marriage to Kevin Patel in Thomson, Illinois. The couple lived in India, Indiana, and Wisconsin, where they managed hotels together.
Melissa enjoyed working on various crafts, decorating, and cooking. She was an adventure seeker who found thrill in skydiving, going to theme parks and traveling. She loved children and turtles. She was passionate about Taekwondo and earned her second-degree black belt. Melissa was a wonderful wife, with a big heart and cared deeply for those she loved.
Melissa is survived by her husband Kevin Patel; mother Angela (Michael) McGuire of Mount Pleasant; father Randy (Lydia Gittings) Leu of Burlington; eight siblings Tyler (Cindy) McGuire of Germany, Haley Leu of Mount Pleasant, Gannon (Alyssa) McGuire of Mount Pleasant, Morgan McGuire of Mount Pleasant, Kiran (Caleb Miller) McGuire of North Liberty, Korbin McGuire of Mount Pleasant, Kaden McGuire of Mount Pleasant, Leah Persinger of Mount Pleasant; parents-in-law Uttam and Savita Patel; sisters-in-law Dipti (Salil) Patel Bisht of Indiana, Ketki (Dharmesh) Patel of Florida, Vina (Deepash) Patel of Illinois; nieces and nephews Gracelynn, Kennedy, Noah, Dhylan, Kaayla, Jazmine and Jaylen.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents Raymond and Deanne Leu, Myron and Trudi McGuire, and uncle Chip McGuire.
A Christian Funeral Service will be held at 12 pm followed by a Hindu Funeral service at 2 pm, Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Olson-Yoder Funeral Home. Visitation will be held 2:00 – 7 :00 p.m. Friday, August 14, at the Olson-Yoder Funeral Home, where the family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. A general memorial fund has been established. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home is caring for Melissa and her family. www.olsonyoderfh.com