Melissa Ann Waters

Melissa Ann (Rowley) Waters, age 54 of Millersport, Ohio died Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Licking Memorial Hospital after a long illness. Melissa was born on April 25, 1971. Her parents were William and Carmen (Keller) Rowley. She went to Kirkersville Elementary and graduated from Watkins Memorial High School, Pataskala, in 1989. Melissa attended Ohio University for her BA in Psychology and attended Xavier University for her Master’s Degree. For over twenty five years, Melissa worked as a Psychologist’s Assistant in Columbus, Ohio.

Melissa grew up on her grandparents’ farm in Millersport, Ohio, where she loved being around all animals, especially cats. She enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles, solving sudoku, watching scary movies, reading ghost stories, and playing board games. She was never afraid to try new foods and she loved to cook. In her younger years she loved to ride horses, swim, draw, paint, ride roller coasters, go bowling, and listen to music. In high school, she played in the school band, was in drama club, and enjoyed being in ski club with all of her friends. She loved trips to Michigan, going to the zoo, attending the Sweet Corn Festival and going to the Ohio State Fair. Melissa loved carving pumpkins, making gingerbread houses, seeing the Christmas lights, spending time with her cats, and doing anything with her two sons, Ben and Paul.

Melissa was preceded in death by her mother Carmen (Keller) Rowley, maternal grandparents Ted and Evelyn Keller and paternal grandparents Bruce and Margaret Rowley. Melissa is survived by her sons Ben (Jamie) and Paul Waters, her father William “Bill” Rowley, her sister, Michelle (Michael) Rowley-Welsch, and nephews Ted and Alex Welsch, all of Millersport. Melissa is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins, both nearby and in Michigan. Melissa was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Buckeye Lake, Ohio. There will be a funeral Mass and Celebration of Life service in the weeks to come.

Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service in Kirkersville is honored to care for Melissa and her family.