The Reverend Melinda Ruth Heppe.

The force of nature that was "Mindy" Heppe arrived at rest with her Lord on July 15th, 2026. 

She came into this world on September 7th, 1959, at the Hazleton State Hospital as her father was parking the car. She was a daughter of Frederic Lamont and Ruth (Nussbaum) Heppe.

One of her favorite places to be growing up was in libraries, and she continued that at Bard College at Simon's Rock in MA, where she earned her bachelors degree. She then attended and graduated from the United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, PA. She spent several semesters at St. Patrick's Pontifical University in Maynooth, Ireland, where she felt right at home.

Melinda became an ordained Lutheran Minister and served for many years at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Shenandoah, as well as others. She also worked as an assistant editor for the magazine, In Trust. Mindy was a very intelligent woman, who enjoyed telling stories, and was always deep in thought. She had a great appreciation for the outdoors, and enjoyed traveling and hiking with her family.Mindy lived as a true servant of the Lord and Champion of the needy and fought for justice.

She leaves behind her beloved children who she traveled to Ethiopia and China to find, Tekuam Melinda Heppe; Hanna Melinda Heppe and YangGen Gabriel Heppe. 

She is also survived by her brother, F. Lamont Heppe, Jr. and a sister, Lorna Heppe Jewby. Grandchildren, Adam Lamont Heppe, Grace Grose Heppe, Zahar Amya Henry and Layla Amhara Henry, also survive along with a nephews, Sean Devine and two nieces, Michelle Wrightstone and Tamara Kuhns. Her very good friend, Kay Rudberg will also cherish her memory and time spent together.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Rev. "Mindy" Heppe's life at 11 AM on Friday July 24th, 2026 at the Walukiewicz Oravtiz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah. A time for visitation will be from 9 AM until the service at the funeral home. 

You may leave an online condolence at www.woffuneralhome.com