Date of Death: September 20, 2021
Service Details
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers, MI. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Dave Downs of ChapNaz officiating. A video of her service is available here.
Obituary Notice
Melody Dawn Rohrer, 64, originally of Three Rivers, MI, passed away following a tragic accident Monday, September 20, 2021.
She was born August 22, 1957 in Three Rivers, MI, the daughter of Durwood & Betty (Ash) Bertch. She graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1975.
Melody (Mel) married Richard (Rick) Rohrer on June 12, 1976. After retirement they became full time RV’ers & started an “Embrace the Journey” tour of America, visiting family, friends, historical landmarks & National Parks. Living their Dream Life.
Mel began her career as a Registered Nurse at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, IL working with Cardiac Care Patients. Returning to MI in 2001, she found employment at Bronson Hospital and retired in 2017. She cared for patients in the Antepartum and Postpartum unit. She loved being an advocate for her patients and also became a mentor to many of the new nurses as they entered into their careers.
She loved spending time with family & friends, especially spoiling her grandchildren.
She enjoyed camping, painting, arts & crafts, music, exercising & taking care of herself.
Remaining to cherish her memory are her husband, Rick; two daughters, Brooke (John) Chapman of Minooka, IL & Jill (Nick) Schulte of Braidwood, IL; four grandchildren, Autumn Chapman, Rohri Chapman, Hunter Schulte & Cannon Schulte; Mother Betty Bertch of Three Rivers, MI; three brothers, Roger (Sue) Bertch of Jamestown, TN, Dennis (Julie) Bertch of Kalamazoo, MI & Stan (Denise) Bertch of Allardt, TN; two sisters, Judy (Duane) Pawson of Milford, NH & Pam (Bart) Haines of Scotts, MI.
She was preceded in death by her father and by her daughter Stacey Rohrer.
Additional Information
Donations in Melody’s memory may be directed to Ronald McDonald House in Ann Arbor. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Per the Ronald McDonald House website:
- Make a check payable to “Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor”
- On the memo line of the check, please indicate that the donation is for “Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor”
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding.
Rick ,
I was so saddened by the tragic passing of Melody .
We all spent some happy and exciting years at TR. High School . Melody was quite the academic and I’m so glad she put all that to good use as a nurse . I’m sure she was great at it .
I’m so sorry Rick that you’ll be facing the coming days without Mel ! Please know I’ll remember you all in my prayers . . . 👼✝️🌹
“Class of’75”
Rick and Family , Rick this is Gary and Cindy Smock , we spent time with you guys at Desert Springs .. We keep in touch with Kathy Hilliard at Rv park . She told us what happened . We are so deeply sorry for your loss . Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family ..
Rick and family, I knew you both from TRHS and running into Melody at Bronson. We would always wave and say “hi” as we passed in halls. I’m so happy she retired early so that you both could have some special time together. Such a terrible senseless loss. Hugs and prayers for comfort.
Bob and Laurie (Yearling) Smith
God bless you melody
And your family didnt know you well but was always nice to see your smiling
Face when you were out walking the dog my god bless you and hold you in his loving arms
Dear Rohrer and Bertch families: We are so very sorry for your loss. We went to school with Melody and Rick and they are both such very nice people. You are all in our thoughts and prayers for comfort during this very sad time.
Rick and Family We are so very sorry for your loss. We had such great times with you at Dessert Springs Ranch, Pickleball at 2 every day, times we laughed around the fires, the time was great, Mel made everything good, she will be missed, Praying for comfort from God through this big loss. Jeff and Kathy Grooten. Friends forever. Praying for all of you.
Although our time was brief at Desert Springs Ranch, it was long enough to recognize the goodness of both you and Mel. I am so very sorry for her sudden passing. Mel was so full of life, adventure and love.. May you feel the love and sustaining power of God, your family and many friends.
Dear Rick and family,
Mike and I are so saddened by the tragic loss of Mel. Praying for you and your family during this very difficult time. May God hold you all in the palm of His hand and provide love and comfort to each of you. Hold on to your fondest memories of her as they will provide comfort during this time of grief. Our deepest condolences.
So very sorry for your loss, My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours
Rick, Betty, Pam & Family,
We are so very sorry to here of Mel’s tragic passing. I have known her for many years.
Mel was always a very kind, caring, giving true lady with a great, dry since of humor.
A wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister & friend. It was always a given that she would become a nurse. And I am sure a great one at that.
Let the wonderful memories & fun times comfort you during this hard time. Mel would want that.
Thoughts, hugs & prayers,
David & Denise (Middaugh) Miller
We’re devastated by the loss of Melody,
the campground isn’t the same.
We’ll be praying for God’s peace.
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am sorry to hear of her passing. Hope for best for the family as they get through this sad time.
Bob and I are absolutely heartbroken at your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our love, thoughts and prayers are with your family. I often think of the wonderful times that we gathered around the campfire to listen to Roger and John serenade us. Mel was particularly fond of of Cat Stevens and Bread ballads. Roger and John came up with a whole Playlist just for Mel! She will be missed!
Stan, Denise and families, our thoughts are with you all during this tragic time in the loss of Melody. May she rest in Peace, always remember the good times.
I am so saddened by the loss of Mel. I really enjoyed working with her at Bronson. She was a wonderful nurse, and had such a kind and loving heart. She will be missed. You are all in my prayers. God Bless!