Melissa Marie Joker , 71, of South Whitley, passed away at Coventry Meadows, Fort Wayne, at 3:20 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on February 27, 1953, she was a daughter of the late LeRoy and Beverly J. (Latham) Workman.  Growing up in Fort Wayne, she completed Precious Blood Elementary School and attended Central Catholic High School.  She later earned a GED and attended St. Francis University, studying Special Education.

Living in Fort Wayne, she worked for Fort Wayne Community Schools in the Special Education Department for over ten years, then joined Easterseals working with their special needs clients.  After her retirement, she moved to South Whitley in 2009.

She was talented in making various crafts and needlepoint work.

Surviving is a daughter, Jennifer Joker of Fort Wayne; a step-daughter, Dianna Jackson of Fort Wayne and her friend and caregiver, Lee Ann Cicero of South Whitley.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a brother, Mark Workman, and a sister, Margaret Workman.

Melissa desired no services.

Memorials in her honor are to Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana.