Melissa W. Obenhaus

Melissa Ruth Wilson Obenhaus, age 70, passed away September 3, 2026, at home in Christiansburg, Virginia, surrounded by family and attended by Good Samaritan Hospice. She was preceded in death by her father, Donald W. Wilson. She is survived by her loving husband Bruce David Obenhaus, two sons Joshua Morgan Obenhaus and R. F. Wilson Obenhaus; mother Frankie Eaton Wilson and two brothers, Daniel Eaton Wilson and Steven Douglas Wilson (Jody Lynn Long); brother and sister-in-law Franklin Jay and Judy Obenhaus and all her New Jersey family. She is greatly missed by all including her two miniature dachshunds Gus Wilson and Mina Mae.

Born in Radford Virginia, August 5, 1956, Melissa was the eldest of three children. She attended Kuhn Barnett Elementary School, Radford High School and Radford College, graduating with majors in English education and journalism. She began working at Luffman’s Jewelers while still in high school, and throughout her life worked at the University Libraries, Virginia Tech; VTLS (library software company); Montgomery County Public Schools as a substitute teacher, and secretary for Christiansburg Primary School; and retired from Career and Professional Services at Virginia Tech. She was active in the church choir and many volunteer and elected positions at Our Saviour Lutheran Church. She maintained keen interests in cooking, baking and quilting.  She loved her mountains of home and learned to love the beach of southern North Carolina.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Blue Ridge Cancer Care for their excellent care during her illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 3:00pm at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1845 Cambria Street, Christiansburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to OSLC to further the good work of the church.

Melissa is in the care of Horne Funeral Service. Please check their website, Horne Funeral Service | Christiansburg, VA, for updates.