INA, Ill. — The forever smiling Melissa (Missy) Ellan Wingo passed away amongst her earthly and heavenly families on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Being of strong courage, Missy battled breast cancer for over 5 years, including times of remission, before receiving her endurance reward of meeting her divine father.
Missy was the daughter of Jackie Paul Sweetin and Megon Ellen Sanders, Sweetin-Sackman who resides in the Ina-Bonnie area. The Sweetin family is well founded in the area and a legacy family of the Ina Free Will Baptist Church, where Missy attended and held membership.
Jeffery Wingo (her husband and love of her life) was lucky enough to meet Missy for the first time in a little league baseball game between Bonnie and Sesser. A red headed catcher tagged Missy out at home base, unbeknownst at the time he just met his future wife. The two later met again, while both working in the Benton area, and married at Sesser’s First Christian Church on November 8, 1992. Jeff and Missy recently celebrated their 30th Anniversary renewing their vows in front of God, family, and friends.
Missy was the proud and loving mother of Dala Jacklyn Wingo, Breana Ellan Wingo, and David Jefferson Wingo. She was privileged to be present at the birth of her first grandchild, Asher David Wingo, and held the name “Grammy” to all.
She also held the name of sister to Stephanie (Thomas) Smith, Quentin (Tawana) Sweetin, Victoria (William) Stephens, Marla (Sean) Laughlin, and Jonathan (Ann Marie) Sweetin. Further, she was Aunt Missy to eleven nieces and nephews.
Grounded in her Southern Illinois roots, she enjoyed cooking for the Ina Grade School and her custodial work at her childhood church, before her breast cancer diagnosis. In addition, Missy enjoyed card games (inherited from her Grandma Alberta), trivia games, bluegill fishing (which she would do all, but clean the fish as this was Jeff’s contribution), placing her feet in the salty Gulf sand and absorbing the Sun; but more importantly obtaining her long-life dream of watching a St. Louis Cardinals game from the view of the “green seats” with a win as a bonus. Most of all Missy found joy and comfort in singing; first from the church pews following along to her father’s Golden Harvest quartet; to participating in Mt. Vernon Township Highschool’s choir; to her church’s choir praising God for the life she lived and the one to come.
Missy is preceded in death by her father, Jack Sweetin (1983), her son, David Wingo (1999), and both sets of grandparents.
Both the visitation and funeral services will occur at the Ina Free Will Baptist, in Ina, Illinois. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, October 20th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, followed by the Funeral service on Saturday, October 21st starting at 11:00 am.
The Scripture is Isaiah 41:10.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.