Michele Elrod

Michele Elrod, of Warsaw, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in her residence at the age of 57.

She was born on June 26, 1967, in Warsaw, to James Leo Elrod and Dorothy Sue (Hackworth) Elrod. Michele was a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, where she was a 1985 graduate of Warsaw Community High School.

Michele, affectionately known to many as “Chele,” along with her mother, Sue, and later her sister, Alisha, started Elrod Daycares in 1985 and for more than 39 years, helped raise, love and care for hundreds (and two generations) of children in our community. She was anything and everything to her “babies” … a second mother, an aunt, a best friend, an absolute safe haven to them for nearly four decades. She was a trusted friend, confidant, sister, aunt and keeper of secrets to her many day care parents.

Michele was known for so many things … her loving and giving nature to her family, friends and day care children, as well as having a wicked sense of humor and sarcasm. She was a fierce supporter of animal adoption and was so giving of her time to so many dog rescue organizations all over the country, where she and the day care children would make handmade blankets and toys for many shelters and rescue groups.

She was the most devoted, loyal, loving and giving person and all who knew her will greatly miss her.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Alisha (Charles) Wagner, Warsaw; her brother, William Derek (Cheri) Elrod, Warsaw; honorary brother, Mark (Debbie) Snyder, Warsaw; her nieces, Kayla (Nick) Johnson, Warsaw, and Brittni (James) Fitzsimmons, Fort Wayne; her nephew, Justin Oberlin (Kristi Flickinger), West Lafayette; three great-nephews; four great-nieces; her lifelong friend, John Selewski, Macomb, Mich.; and her two precious fur babies, Calliope and Jasper.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Dorothy Sue Elrod; and her brother, James Christopher Elrod.

Michele’s life will be celebrated with a graveside service at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Jack Arnett Cemetery in Prestonsburg, Ky. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and Hall Funeral Home, 331 KY-122, Martin, Ky.

Memorial donations may be directed to Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, 1048 S. 325E, Pierceton, IN 46562.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.