WHITELAW . . .

Melissa M. "Missy" Pope, 56, of 2946 Waterbury Road, Canastota (Whitelaw), passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at Oneida Healthcare, following a sudden illness.

She was born on May 31, 1961, in Oneida, the daughter of Gerald, Sr. and Mary (Markle) Steding.

Missy spent her early years in Lakeport, graduating from Chittenango High School in 1980. She has lived in Whitelaw most of her life.

She has worked for HMS Host at the New York State Thruway, Chittenango Travel Mart for many years.

Missy enjoyed crafting, ceramics, horses, her cat "Snowball", her son's dog "Tucker", collecting stuffed animals, and spending time with her family.

She married James V. Pope on August 25, 2001, in Whitelaw. Jim died on November 29, 2009.

Surviving are: nine children, Todd Pope and Belinda Radcliffe of Canastota, Heather Pope and Thomas Bettis of Peterboro, James R. Pope, David and Lori Pope, Marty Pope, Michael and Amber Pope, Steven Pope, Betty and David Mills, and Dawn and Jeremiah Preeman; her parents, Gerald and Mary Steding of Lakeport; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Gerald Steding, Jr. of Canastota, Shawn and Danette Steding of Lakeport, and Todd and Laurie Steding of Lakeport; many grandchildren, including Damien Bettis, Mackenzie Schiavetta, Elijah Koegel, and Kylie Mayfield; several great grandchildren; great great grandchildren; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota. Pastor Donna Chapman of the Whitelaw Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be in Whitelaw Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In her memory, contributions may be made to Wanderers' Rest Humane Association, Inc., PO Box 535, Canastota, NY 13032, with envelopes available at the funeral home.

J. HOMER BALL FUNERAL HOME, INC.

Canastota

A Trust 100 Family Owned Funeral Home