Melinda Ann Robinett

Melinda Ann Robinett, age 46, of Hastings, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 and went to be with her Lord. She dedicated 23 years of her career towards interpretive design and education at John Ball Zoo. She was a coach and coordinator with Thornapple Kellogg Odyssey of the Mind for 12 years, and was able to spread her positivity, patience, and creativity to many students and coaches in the program. She played softball, swam, and did gymnastics growing up and continued this love for sports by coaching her children and many others at Thornapple Kellogg Schools and Grand Rapids Flames. Throughout her battle with ovarian cancer, Melinda was relentlessly optimistic, present, and fiercely involved with her family. Her family's favorite memories of her include watching sports events together, bonfires, beach cleanup, crocheting on the couch, and late-night card games.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 23 years, Cory; children: Shelby, Jenna, Parker, and Cassidy; parents: Michael and Mary Lou Szatkowski, Stan and Linda Robinett; brother: Jason (Jen) Szatkowski; sisters-in-law: Dana (Jim) Hess, Erin (Derrick) Veysey; many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.

According to her wishes, cremation has taken place.  A Celebration of Life will be held 11 am Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Holy Family Church, 9669 Kraft Ave. SE, Caledonia, with Rev. Mike Cilibraise officiating.   Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 616 E. Main St. SE, Caledonia and on Wednesday from 10-11 am prior to the service at church. Instead of flowers at the visitation and funeral, please bring a new (with tag) stuffed animal to be donated to children at Helen Devos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids. Please consider a donation to the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance.