Fatal Weekend Crash in Jasper County

In Jasper County, Melissa Wood, 40, Olney, was killed in a 10:47 p.m. accident in the Ste. Marie area, Saturday, September 7, 2013.

Wood was a passenger on a Polaris Razor 800 ATV that was being driven by James Ryan Eagleston, 37, Olney. According to the police report, the ATV was southbound on Jasper County Road 1775E when it skidded out of control and went into a ditch.

Both Wood and Eagleston were ejected from the four-wheeler as it overturned. They were initially transported to Richland Memorial Hospital, then flown to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. Wood was pronounced dead at Deaconess.

The accident remains under investigation.

Robinson Daily News (IL) – Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Melissa Kelley Wood, 40, of Olney, died at 3:41 a.m. Sunday, September 8, 2013 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind. as a result of an ATV accident in Jasper County Illinois Saturday evening.

Funeral services at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney with Reverend Father Jerry Wirth officiating. Burial at Crest Haven Memorial Park in rural Claremont.

She was born July 18, 1973, in Olney, the daughter of Patrick Kelley and Susan (Stark) Reed.

Melissa was a loving mother to her two children, Dalton and Daelyn. She loved to watch her children play their sports. Melissa was an avid NASCAR race fan and enjoyed watching the Michigan Wolverines and the Chicago Bears. She participated for many years in Relay For Life and along with her sister, Amber, she was a co-chair of the event. Melissa enjoyed scrapbooking, going to the beach, collecting Longaberger, quilting, and creating personalized cards for close friends and family. Melissa loved the holidays, but her favorite was Christmas. She loved displaying her Christmas village, decorating the Christmas tree, and baking all kinds of Christmas "goodies." Most of all Melissa loved to spend time with her family and friends.

Melissa graduated from East Richland High School in 1991. She obtained her Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees from Olney Central College. She then continued her education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. She worked for several years at Jabat, Inc. in Olney until she had her children. She then stayed home to raise her "babies."

Melissa was presently employed at East Richland Elementary School as a paraprofessional. She loved her school children like they were her own.  She was currently attending Greenville College to obtain her master's degree in Teaching so that she could continue in the educational field.  Melissa was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olney.

She is survived by her son, Dalton Wood, of Olney; daughter, Daelyn Wood, of Olney; fiance, Ryan Egleston and his two children, of Olney; father, Pat Kelley, of Olney; mother, Susie Reed and husband David, of Olney; sister, Amber Scherer and husband Kent, of Olney; uncle, Dan Kelley and wife Deb; uncle, Dave Stark and wife Rose; aunt, Donna Murbarger and husband Steve; uncle, Frank Stark; nieces, Taylor Scherer, Elly Eaton and Malayla Baca; nephews, Tanner Scherer, Parker Eaton and Kaden Thomas; and several cousins.

Melissa was preceded in death by her grandparents, uncle, Mike Kelley, and aunt, Judy Frohning and her husband, Leo.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)