Melissa "Missy" L. Pobanz

Melissa Pobanz deeply loved her family including her mother (Patty Davis), her father (Leland Davis), her siblings (Shelley Albiez, Chris Davis, and Tim Davis) and her nieces (Angela Albiez, Riley Davis and Ruby Davis) and nephews (Sean Davis, Josh Davis, and Brady Davis). She was truly a blessing to her family. She modeled resilience and strength throughout her life. While she lived with many challenges, she was rarely, if ever, deterred by adversity and setbacks. Her mom (Patty) -- often credited Melissa for "helping Leland and me to raise her younger siblings".

Melissa graduated from McNicholas High School in 1973. She attended Lees Junior College from 1974-1975. In her mid-twenties, Melisaa decided that she wanted to be a healthcare professional and successfully sought a nurse's aid certification. She worked for several years and experienced rewarding and meaningful work helping others as a nurse's aid.

She married John Pobanz on October 25, 1985 and they built their life together in Cincinnati. John and Missy were truly soul mates - both finding love, friendship, and beauty in one another. They especially enjoyed visiting and feeding ducks at local parks and ponds. Melissa and John had one child together - Patricia Miranda Pobanz. Patricia did not survive childbirth and passed on 11/11/88. Melissa and John and supported one another in their grief and went on establishing their life and marriage until John passed in 1997.

In many ways, Melissa was an eternal optimist. She loved having things to look forward to, Whether it was the next holiday get-together on Honeysuckle Drive or upcoming holiday parties at Forest Hills or Brown County Care Centers, lunch dates with family at Frishes, or a family member brining in Arby's for a stay-at-home meal in her room. No one could get excited like Melissa - with her twinkling eyes, deep dimples, broad smile and rubbing her hands up and down together in front of her face. She never lost her beautiful little-girl-like ability to absolutely relish in relatively simple, but fun experiences.

Melissa had a life-long love affair with dachshunds. She and John adored their many miniature dachshunds and treated them like their children. Anything with a "dachshund" on it made Melissa happy - whether it was dachshund clothing, dachshund pillows, or dachshund stuffed animals, Melissa found playfulness and fun in every dachshund friend. She adored Neil Diamond (almost as much as her dachshunds!) and attended many of his concerts.

Melissa's faith life was always important to her. Over many years of challenges, she developed a close personal relationship with God. She was comforted throughout her life by her intimate friendship with Jesus Christ. Melissa's family is grateful for her faith life and for the Christian values that we all share as a family.

Funeral service on Saturday, June 20 at 11AM at Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church in the Chapel (6474 Beechmont Ave.). Friends may visit the church from 10-11AM. Private burial at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.