Kris Ayers

Gayle Kristine (Melick) Ayers

Kris Ayers, 64, of Nova, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at her home. Kris was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother and loved spending time with her family which was her number one priority. She loved riding motorcycles, being outdoors, tanning on the beach, caring for others, drinking coffee, collecting Native American artwork, playing computer games, listening to music, reading and enjoying her dogs. She always put others before herself, had a beautiful smile and piercing blue eyes and was proud of her no-nonsense badass style!

Kris was born in Mansfield on November 27, 1955 to Charles & Billie Melick. She has an older sister, Karla, and a younger brother, Chuck, and they enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up in a quiet neighborhood where she loved to ride her bike, play with friends and explore the world around her. She was daddy’s girl and was most often found doing whatever her dad was doing. She had a talent for ballet and was a defender of the underdog. She studied food science in high school and enjoyed working at Shakey’s Pizza, Burger Chef, Fort’s Auto Supply, L&K Restaurant, and later Mr. Hero’s. Most often she worked in a supervisory capacity because she liked being in charge.

She graduated from Madison High School in 1974 and married Henry R Ayers two weeks after high school graduation. Henry spent his career as a long-haul truck driver and she spent most of her time raising the greatest joys of her life, her three sons, Henry Christopher, Seth Michael, and Matthew Kenneth Ayers. She and Henry raised their boys in Mansfield, Polk, and Nova.

In 1989 she began working part time as the property manger of the West Salem Apartments and has worked their ever since. She loved helping her tenants and would often be found helping them pay their bills, playing “social worker” or just being their friend.

Another great joy in Kris’ life was when she became a grandmother. She had three beautiful granddaughters, Aubreigh Ayers (parents Henry & Tara Ayers), Lauryn and Saige Ayers (parents Seth & Tara Ayers) and she spoiled them with love, just as she had their dads. She was also very excited about an upcoming birth of a grandson (parents Seth Ayers and Jeneva Auble).

Kris is survived by her husband of 45 years, Henry R Ayers, her three boys and their families, Henry (Rhiannon Wachtel), Seth (Jeneva Auble) and Matt (Amber Wright), daughter-in-law, Tara Ayers; grandchildren/step grandchildren Aubreigh, Lauryn & Saige Ayers, Alexis & Cayden Wachtel; sister, Karla Ansani of Butler, Pennsylvania, brother, Chuck Melick (Rayanne) of Pleasant Grove, Utah, and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 11:00 at the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home, 313 Center Street, Ashland, Ohio.