PRINCETON—Melissa Leah Munford Walker, 63, formerly of Princeton passed away in her home in Manchester, Mo., Aug. 27, 2012, after a long struggle with cancer. 

Melissa was born to James and Patricia Munford Jan. 20, 1949 in Cincinnati Ohio.

Soon after, the Munfords moved to Princeton, where Melissa attended North Gibson public schools and graduated Princeton High School in 1966. After completing administrative studies at the University of Indiana in Bloomington, Melissa started her career with the federal government in the Forestry Service in Indiana. Melissa continued her federal service with the Office of Personnel Management in Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City, finally ending with the USDA graduate school in Washington, D.C. Furthermore, her selfless support of former husband, Charles Walker, was instrumental in his success as a NASA payload specialist, logging three space shuttle missions.

In her spare time, Melissa loved traveling with a few close friends to places as far as Russia, Costa Rica, and Scandinavia, Mexico, and the Lakes of the Ozarks. She was also well known for her annual Halloween parties and extensive holiday decorations.

Melissa had a passion for knowledge and history and was a member in good standing in many organizations throughout her life, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Atlantic Guard in Washington, D.C, Daughters of the Union Veterans, Daughters of the War of 1812 to name a few. Melissa enjoyed participating in Civil War reenactments, especially with her brother Jim and his wife Mary. She was considered a leader in pursuing her historical hobbies and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include two brothers; James R. Munford Jr. and his wife Mary of New Albany, Carl A. Munford and wife Linda of Columbus, Neb.; a sister, Elizabeth E. Munford of Princeton; three nieces, Jessica, Jillian, and Erin; nephew, James Robert; three great nieces, Isobel, Kailynn, Jenna; and great nephew, Christopher.

She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Carl and Mable Wilke, paternal grandparents, Roderick and Mildred Munford, parents James and Patricia Munford, niece Jennifer Lynn Munford and great nephew, Isaac Paul Valentine.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton.

Visitation will be from noon until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.  Private graveside service will be at Archer Cemetery in Princeton.