Date of Death: May 11, 2019

Service Details

The family will receive friends at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St. Three Rivers, MI 49093, on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM.  A funeral to celebrate and honor her life and service will be held at Riverside Church, 207 E. Michigan Ave. Three Rivers, MI 49093, on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, beginning at 1:00PM, with Pastor Don Smith officiating. She will be laid to rest privately at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.

Obituary Notice


Age 19 passed away unexpectedly on May 11, 2019, in Norfolk, VA, while serving our country in the Navy. Alyssa was born in Three Rivers, MI, the daughter of Christopher (Tracy) Speelman and Rachel (Adan Salinas) Myers. Alyssa was kind, loving, generous and outgoing. Her bold, larger-than life personality left a footprint on all those she met. To know “Alyssa Bear” was to love her and to be loved by her. With her beautiful smile, positive attitude and contagious laughter, she would make an impact wherever she went. Alyssa was a proud graduate of Three Rivers High School, Class of 2017. While there she excelled at running track, cross country, soccer and power lifting; though her true joy during school was making friends and lasting memories. She was a gifted artist who enjoyed drawing and music. She also loved being outdoors, camping, hiking and being around animals. Her senior year she stated all she wanted was a boat, after graduating, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was a proud and dedicated member of our armed services. Her strength and leadership will be missed by all the members of her Naval Company FRC, Mid Atlantic Detachment, Norfolk Virginia. Above all Alyssa loved her family. She was a precious daughter, loyal sister, and loving granddaughter. Though she has left us too soon, the love she leaves behind will last a lifetime! Alyssa is  survived by her parents and step-parents; six siblings, Michael and Kody Speelman, Hunter Myers, Karsyn Speelman, Blake and Mykala Echevarria; grandparents, Tom (Linda) Peters; aunt, Mary (Mike) Vollmer; uncles, Dan (Kalinn) Speelman  and Jason (Zue) Bickel; special cousins, Kylee, Kaylynn, Bryce, Darren, Libby, Lilly, Gabe and Izaak; and her famous pet, “Dexter”; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in passing by a grandmother, Deborah Cline.

Additional Information

Memorial contributions may be made to her brother Michael Speelman (envelopes available at the funeral home).

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54 Comments

  1. My deepest condolences! We are complete strangers, yet I feel a bond as I saw Alyssa’s grace marker today while visiting another gravesite directly below hers. I am so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for her service to our country. May God bless all of you.

  2. She was a very vibrant individual it was a blessing and pleasure to meet her when I did. Just meeting in short period of time I knew she was very loved! She was a positive person and eager to learn I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers.

  3. I’m so sorry for your loss I used to be Alyssa’s boss at McDonald’s, I’ve never met a more beautiful soul , her laugh and smile was one that lasts a lifetime. I will cherish the memories made with her for a lifetime . Fly high baby girl and rest easy .

  4. You have our sincere condolences. We are Gold Star Parents and know the pain you are feeling. We should never have to bury a child. Anytime you want to get together to talk Honer’s knows how to get ahold of us.
    Roger and Connie Wagner

  5. My heart breaks for the entire family. I’m a Navy veteran and my daughter Paige is currently servicing aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. We were just able to get word to her. Paige was heart broken as well. Alyssa and Paige were in the horse competition and participated in the US Navy Delayed Entry Program.
    I did not know Alyssa but she is and will always be a Shipmate.

  6. I went to school with Alyssa, but never had the chance to even talk to her. I wish I would have. She sounds like an amazing soul. This has truly broke my heart! I am praying so hard for everybody who this tragedy has affected. Thank you for your service. Rest easy angel.

  7. You have my deepest sympathy at your loss of Alyssa. I am grateful to Alyssa for her service to our Nation. I will be keeping you and all the family in my prayers. I am a military mom with both a Gold and Blue Star on my Banner.
    Rachel, you are not alone on the path you now tread. Other Gold Star Mothers are here for you when you are ready.

  8. Please accept our most heartfelt condolences on the loss of your beautiful daughter. I am so sorry for the pain that your family is enduring and will continue to endure. Rachel, I know the hole that has been ripped through your middle. I am so very sorry. She sounds like an amazing young woman and I would love to hear all about her one day. I will be praying for all of you as you begin this walk; but I will especially hold you, Rachel, in my heart and prayers. People will say over and over – ‘there are no words’, and there truly are not. But there is love and support and my hope is that you all will be surrounded by those.

    • So sorry for your loss. I have the greatest respect and admiration for our young servicemen and servicewoman. My prayers for family members and friends to have strength through these tough times.

  9. Rachel, your family has so many fond memories of Alyssa. You were a great Mother to her and still are to the rest of your family. From the stories you told and the memories you shared, I feel like I knew Alyssa quite well.
    I am deeply sorry for your loss.

  10. I am so sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by your beautiful memories of Alyssa and hold tight to your family. God grant you peace and strength ?❤️??????.

  11. I did not know your daughter, but she served with mine. My daughter has told me what a wonderful, bright, and sweet person Alyssa was. I understand your sorrow, and my thoughts are with you.

  12. I’ll never forget that smile and her infectious laugh and beaming personality. We were very close and spent a great deal of time together and had so many big plans for adventures this summer. She could turn the shyest person into an outgoing adventure-seeker and that’s one of the many things I loved about her. Rest easy sweetheart.

  13. Our greatest condolences are with the Speelman family! May Alyssa light our way through her bright smile ? She will truly be missed❤️❤️

  14. I did not know Alyssa but my daughter and she were in boot camp together. We are all one family in the Navy. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. Your family is in our prayers! Fly with the angels, Alyssa and thank you for your service

  15. I came across this Obit while looking at another family member’s. Even though we don’t know each other, I see that she served in the USN. Thanks for supporting her in her choices, and thank you to her for doing what most wouldn’t for this country. Prayers for your family, its never easy to lose a loved one.

  16. Words cannot express our condolences.
    Alyssa has been a ray of sunshine in our clouds, and that, she will always be.
    We will sleep on her smile and awaken to her laughter.
    There is no choice.
    God Bless you for your beautiful creation/inspiration.
    Deepest sympathy
    Praying for her family and everyone she touched.
    Look out Lord, there is a new Angel in town!
    God Bless

  17. I worked with her in Norfolk, and every time I would see her in the hall ways she would put a smile on my face, her positive attitude towards everything made me want to become better. Alyssa will be truely missed, I am sorry for your loss, my prayers will be with you all.

  18. She had one of the Brightest smiles in our command and the stories of her crazy adventures will be greatly missed. She was an amazing person with a kind heart.

  19. Although I didn’t know Alyssa, I can tell that she had a infections smile and left all that loved and knew her heartbroken with her death. It’s never easy losing those we lose, but losing them so young is the hardest when they have their whole life ahead of them. My deepest condolences to you Mary and the rest of your family. Godspeed to peace of mind to all of you too! There are many who are feeling your pain and want to help, let them. I’ll continue to prayer for your family! Hugs!

  20. Chris Tracy Rachel and family
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Please call on us if we can do anything at all.
    Holding you all close in heart.

  21. Condolence with your family! This world has lost such a sweet young lady we were both station at FRC together she always had a smile on her face She could entertain anyone. Rest In Peace shipmate ❤️

  22. I will always remember Alyssa’s infectious smile and silliness. “Applebees” will forever be a reminder of her glowing spirit. Love you, Rachel. You’ve been, and always will be, the best mother your kids could ever ask for! Hugs to you, Adam and all the boys.

  23. I knew her when I want to CAD in Three Rivers. She was always cool and really outgoing. I have a few friends in Norflolk that knew her and said so kany good things when I asked about her. I really wish I knew you better Alyssa, we have the watch now.

  24. Chris, Tracy and family – you all are in my thoughts and prayers. She was a beautiful soul taken way too soon!! Hugs, love and prayers to you all!

  25. My heart is acking for you chris and Rachel and the rest of the family. I can not even imagine what your going through. I’m so sorry for your loss. May God help you feel some kind of comfort at this time. Will say lots of prayers for you both and the family. Again I’m so sorry.
    Sincerely, Doug & Sally Horton

  26. I did not know alyssa. But she was a great friend to a great friend of mine. This is a loss to her family and friends and the world. Thank you for your service to our country. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to my friend torrie marie stuart so far away from home. Thank you for everything.

  27. My sincere sympathy to Chris and Tracy and the rest of the family. I cannot comprehend the magnitude of your loss of beautiful, energetic, fun Alyssa. Prayers for comfort in the memories of your time with her. You should be so very proud of her and her willingness to serve our country. A very tragic loss to all who knew and loved her.
    Love to all of you.

  28. Although we don’t know each other, I am a member of the Vicksburg community and I recently lost a child as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. Please, please accept help and assistance during the next few weeks. So many will offer. Take them up on it.

  29. So sorry for Chris, Tracy and Rachel for loosing your daughter! Sorry to Michael, kody, karson, and hunter for loosing your brother! Sorry to Mykayla for the loss of her sister! Sorry to everyone that Alyssa had touched there hearts she was truly a special young lady and will greatly be missed!

  30. Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss…our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

    Rob Norton & Family

    • Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss … please know our thoughts are with you and your family.

      We Love You …
      Uncle Mike and Aunt Dena

  31. Dear Chris and Rachel, we are so very sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful daughter. Dennis and I will be praying for you and thinking of you and all your family.
    Diane Noble

  32. I’m beyond sorry for the loss of your beautiful Alyssa. She was as bright as her infectious smile. Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Fly high sweetie, you’ll be missed more than you know.??❤️

  33. My heart hurts for all Alyssa’s Family & Friends. May your memories bring comfort & a smile to your face during this difficult time. My fondest.memory was her beautiful smile that lit up her eyes! Love, Hugs & prayers.

    • The shining light in our work family, there was no way to have a bad day with her around… One of the most motivated, driven and devoted people ive ever had the luxury of knowing. AE3 Alyssa Speelman will be forever missed by her Navy family, her infectious laughter is missed every day.

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