Melissa K. Knoles

Melissa Kay Knoles, 46, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, nurse and friend, passed peacefully on August 20th, 2026, with her devoted husband, Derick, by her side. Her absence leaves a space that can never truly be filled. There are some people who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains.

She is survived by her husband, Derick; 3 beautiful children, Hannah, Ethan, and Emma; mother, Kay Maurizio (Carterville, IL); father, Tony Wiemelt (Decatur, IL); stepfather, Bob (Carterville, IL); beloved siblings, Joe (Urbana, IL), Trevor (Decatur, IL), and Matthew Wiemelt (Mt. Zion, IL); Kevin Maurizio (Carbondale, IL) Terri Cagle (Herrin, IL) grandmother, Bengta Wiemelt (Quincy, IL); and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harold & Jeanice Smith, Joe Wiemelt, and Bill & Virginia Maurizio.

Born in DuQuoin, Illinois, on October 9, 1979, she was the daughter of Kay Maurizio (Bob) and Tony Wiemelt. Melissa brought warmth, joy, and quiet strength to the lives of those around her from an early age. During her high school years, she loved playing softball and being part of the Pom Squad. Glimpses of her energy, loyalty, and determination as a Carterville Lion would remain with her throughout her life.

Melissa went on to pursue a career in nursing. She spent much of her career as a dedicated cardiac nurse. It seems only fitting that someone with a heart as remarkable as hers would spend her life taking care of the hearts of others. She had an innate ability to make people feel cared for and genuinely loved during some of their most difficult moments. For Melissa, nursing was never simply a profession; it was another way she lived out the selfless, caring, servant’s heart that defined her.

On September 1st, 2007, Melissa married Derick, and together they built a beautiful life and the family that she treasured above everything else. Her greatest joy and proudest accomplishments were being a mother to Hannah (17), Ethan (15), and Emma (15).

Melissa’s legacy is unmistakably woven into each of them- their hardworking spirit, their smile, their sense of humor, and their love for sports and dance are pieces of her that they will carry forward throughout their lives.

There was nowhere Melissa would rather be than where her family was. You could find her in the center of the bleachers, along the sidelines, in the driveway watching trucks being built, or in the kitchen making her kids favorite meal. She loved mom and daughter shopping trips, laughing and enjoying vacations with family and friends.

Even through the most difficult chapter of her life she remained a devoted wife, the first answer to her kids’ phone calls, a nurse her patients could confide in, a mentor to others who were also fighting cancer battles, and a friend who was honest and fiercely loyal.

She continued to show up for the people she loved. Her strength was an inspiration to everyone around her. She demonstrated courage not through grand gestures, but through quiet determination to keep loving, to keep caring, to keep laughing and to being present. She fought with grace, not for herself, but for more moments in time with the people she loved. Melissa’s life cannot be measured by the number of years she was here, but by the love that was poured into those years. Her love may no longer be something we can see or hold but it remains woven into all the lives she touched. Her legacy lives on in Derick, Hannah, Ethan and Emma; in the family who adored her, in the friends who were blessed to know her, in the patient’s hearts she cared for and in every life that was better because Melissa was a part of it.

On August 20th , Heaven welcomed a graceful warrior. “Fly high Mama, we know you fought so hard, now we hope you are dancing in the sky.”

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.

Funeral Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Butler Funeral Home- Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to be used for future expenses for the children.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Please visit www.butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.