Melissa Rae Haines, age 55, of Grinnell, passed away at home surrounded by family and under care of Suncrest Hospice on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, June 29, 2026, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with burial at Hazelwood Cemetery. Family will greet friends at the visitation held from 3 PM to 5:00 PM, Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made out to the family for future designation. Cards and memorials may be mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Melissa was born on June 21, 1971, to Jim and Cynthia (Davis) Haines. She was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1990. She continued her education at Hawkeye Tech, where she earned an associate degree in photography, launching a career that reflected her creative passion.

Melissa loved horses, spending time outdoors, the mountains, fishing, and camping. She also enjoyed country music and hair bands, dancing, movies, and television- especially action films, Hallmark movies, and NCIS. She loved playing board games and solitaire, and her competitive spirit made every game an exciting challenge. Whether playing cards or a favorite board game, she always played to win while making lasting memories with those around her. Above all else, she loved her family. She was immensely proud of her children and would grin from ear to ear whenever she spoke about them.

Melissa is survived by her parents; her children, Kaylin Marie Greiner, Colby James Greiner, and Jesse Lee Dallas; her siblings, Nicole (Kip) Witzel and James R. (Danielle) Haines; her grandchildren, Luna Rae and Ollie Graham Gartin; her grandmother, Georgia Rhodes; her aunts, Luvica Ervin, Rosie Duncan, and Melinda Aeschliman; and her uncles, A. Lee Davis and Gerald Haines, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Albert Davis, William Haines, and Luvica Flathers; her aunts, Pearl K Saurer and Wanda Haines; her uncles, Lonnie Davis, William Haines, and Chet Haines.