Cleo J. (Fritz)  Mellinger

Oct. 15, 1921 - Feb. 15, 2002

Cleo Jeanette Mellinger, 80, residing on South Ironwood Drive, South Bend, Ind., passed away at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, i in Memorial Hospital of South Bend. She was born Oct. 15, 1921, in Battle Creek, Mich., as the daughter of Walter and Lillian (Burton) Fritz, and had lived all of her life in South Bend.

On Oct. 15, 1939, in The Cathedral of St. James Episcopal, South Bend, she married Stephen Mellinger, who died Oct. 30, 1998. She was also preceded by two sisters, Virginia Young and Leota Buckles.

Mrs. Mellinger is survived by two daughters, Susan (Jim) Hamman of Mishawaka, Ind., and Pat Donnelly of South Bend; four sons. Stephen T. (Irene) Mellinger Jr. of Los Angeles, Calif., Thomas J. Mellinger of Los Angeles, Richard D. (Lindsey) Mellinger of Granger, Ind., and Timothy S. Mellinger of Detroit, Mich.; and by 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Mellinger retired in 1987 from the University of Notre Dame Psychology Department following 20 years of service. She was a longtime member of The Cathedral of St. James Episcopal, and was a volunteer for the Geriatric Outreach Program.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in The Cathedral of St. James Episcopal, 117 North Lafayette Street, South Bend. Rev. Robert Bizzaro and Deacon Joseph Illes will officiate. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Visitation for the family will be private.

Contributions in memory of Cleo J. Mellinger may be made to The Memorial and Honor Program of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38148.

Arrangements for the Mellinger family are being made by the Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

07/12/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118925960/cleo-j-mellinger