Melissa Filby-Walsh

Melissa Filby-Walsh, age 60, of Manhattan, died June 22, 2020.

She was born December 5, 1959, in Manhattan, the daughter of Norman H. and Renee A. (Stokely) Spurlock.

Melissa graduated from Msgr. Luckey High School in 1978, and then attended Manhattan Area Vo-Tech and Kansas State University.

She worked for Murdock’s from 1983 to 1990, and then went to work for Century Business Systems first as a receptionist and then later with accounts receivable and office assistant.

Melissa was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Eagles, Flint Hills Suicide Loss Survivors Group and the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Group.

She was active in the Manhattan Civic Theatre for many years and enjoyed fishing, camping, attending music festivals, motorcycle rides and traveling internationally and in the states.

On July 29, 1980, in Manhattan, she was married to Jeff Barton Filby. Jeff preceded her in death on January 26, 2009. She later married Paul David Walsh on March 16, 2013, in Manhattan. Paul preceded her in death on April 21, 2017. She was also preceded in death by her father in 1998, and by two siblings: Mary and Edward “Ted”.

Survivors include her son Jeremy Filby and his wife Amy of Manhattan; her mother Renee Spurlock of Manhattan; two grandchildren: Jenna and James Filby; four siblings: George Spurlock (Mary) of Wichita, KS, Ann Elizabeth “Beth” Grimshaw (Chris) of Roswell, GA, James “Jim” Spurlock (Shelly) of Manhattan, and Christopher Spurlock (Joyce) of Lewisville, TX.

Cremation is planned. The family will have a Mass of the Christian Burial at Seven Dolors Catholic Church with Father Kerry Ninemire as Celebrant. Inurnment will follow in the Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date when it is safe for everyone to attend.

Memorial contributions may be made to Flint Hills Suicide Loss Survivors Group, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Group or Seven Dolors Catholic Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.