Michelle M.
Rizzi
Born: June 3rd, 1974
Toledo, Ohio
Died: April 20th,
2001
Bowling Green, Ohio
Michelle M. Rizzi, 26
years of age, a graduate student at Michigan State
University and formerly of South Berkey-Southern Road,
Swanton, remains were recovered Friday, April 20, 2001
after her abduction on June 30, 2000 from her residence
in East Lansing.
Michelle was born on June 3, 1974 in Toledo to Mario and
Patricia A. (Ransberger) Rizzi. A member of the
Ghostriders and Desperados 4-H clubs, she attended and
graduated from Swanton High School where she was active
in the Flag Corps. She graduated from Bowling Green
State Univeristy in 1999 with Bachelor’s Degree in
Speech Pathology. Michelle was a member of the Golden
Key National Honor Society and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor
Society while at Bowling Green State University. She was
currently working on her Master’s Degree at Michigan
State University, Lansing, Michigan where she was
involved in the Michigan Speech Language Hearing
Association.
An ambitious and compassionate young lady, Michelle
loved assisting autistic and mentally challenged
children. She also had a deep love for animals. A
volunteer for the Toledo Metroparks, Michelle lead
nature walks in the Parks and also supervised children
working crafts in the Park. She worked at the Wood
County Humane Society as a caretaker while she attended
BGSU. She also had worked for The Lantern House
Restaurant in Holland, Ohio as a waitress and in the
Deli Department of Foodtown in Swanton .
Michelle was a charter member and very active in the
Arabian Horse Club of Toledo. She raised and trained her
Arabian horse, DM Kristina, showing her in competitions
all over the state of Ohio. She was the Reserve Champion
with DM Kristina at the Ohio State Fair. Michelle and
“Tina” were even featured in the Toledo Opera
presentation of Aida on stage. She was awarded the Youth
Highpoint Award and also the Harry Hughes Sportsman
Award.. She assisted Bonnie Cicora with the Post and
Rail Handicapped Riding Program for disabled children.
Michelle was a member of the Lighthorse Selection Club,
participating in numerous judging competitions
throughout the state. She collected antique toys and was
intrigued with the “Wizard of Oz.” Michelle was very
interested in her Italian heritage, making three trips
to Italy where she studied at Urbino University, Urbino,
Italy in the summer of 1997.
Surviving are her loving parents, Mario and Pat Rizzi of
Swanton; Sister, Marie (Steven) Jablonski of Temperance,
MI,; Brother, Patrick Rizzi of Swanton; Grandparents,
Roscoe Ransberger of Shipshewana, Indiana and Mary (Mayo)
Reardon of Holland; Nephew Steven Jablonski along with
several aunts, uncles and cousins. She also had a
special childhood friend, Denny Kier of Pennsylvania.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Antonio
Rizzi, Grandmother, Maureen Ransberger and uncle Michael
Ransberger.
Friends will be received in the Neville Funeral Home
Southwest Chapel 7438 Airport Highway, Holland
(865-8879) from 1 to 9 PM Friday where Rosary Services
will be held at 7 PM Friday evening. Funeral services
will begin at 8:45 AM Saturday, April 28, 2001 in the
Funeral Home followed by Mass of Christian Burial at
10:00 AM in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 628 Locust
Street, Toledo with Father Stephen R. Majoros,
officiating. Interment Springfield Township Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to
consider the Wood County Humane Society or the
Children’s Fund at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 628
Locust Street, Toledo, Ohio 43608.
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Holland, OH 43528
Phone: 419-865-8879
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Holland, OH 43528
Phone: 419-865-8879
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Viewing Information:
When: Apr. 27th 2001 1:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Where: Neville Funeral Home Southwest Chapel, 7438
Airport Highway, Holland, Ohio
Instructions: Rosary Services 7 PM Friday Evening in the
Funeral Home conducted by Father Stephen Majoros.
Funeral Information:
When: Apr. 28th 2001 10:00 AM
Where: St. Joseph Cahatolic Church, 628 Locust Street,
Toledo, Ohio
Instructions: Services begin at 8:45 AM Saturday in the
Funeral Home and continue at the church at 10 AM.
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Burial Information:
Where: Springfield Township Cemetery Holland, Ohio
Posted by: Neville1@Plan4ever.com |