Michelle Renee (Peffley) Peffley- Jaeckel

Michelle Renee Peffley-Jaeckel, age 49 of South Bend, transitioned from this earthly life to the next at the Raclin House, Center for Hospice at 7:02 pm Monday, October 10, 2022, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. Michelle was born July 2, 1973, in Elkhart, Indiana to Michael and Deborah (Messick) Peffley.  She was a graduate of Jimtown High School, class of 1991 where she shared her exceptional talent and beautiful voice in the swing choir, musical theater and later, traveled the Midwest singing and touring with the musical groups the Kingdom Heirs and Vision.

Surviving are her parents, Mike and Debbie Peffley of Elkhart, her daughters Kayla and Karissa Jaeckel of South Bend and her sister, Denise Stillwell of Middlebury.  Surviving as well is her nephew Michael Stillwell, her niece Melanie Stillwell and her very best friend of 38 years, Julie Miller.  Surviving as well are numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Michelle often expressed that she didn’t want a funeral, but she wanted to have a party to celebrate her life.  Her family would like for you to join them in making her wishes possible as they celebrate a life well lived on Sunday, October 30, 2022, from 1-4 pm with a time of sharing stories of her life to begin at 3pm at Bent Oak Country Club, 3610 Bent Oak Trail, Elkhart, IN 46517.  Cruz Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Osceola is assisting with the arrangements. For those unable to attend in person, her celebration of life will be streamed in real time in the video window below or on Karissa's facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/karissa.jaeckel

For many years, Michelle home schooled her daughters and later focused on her career.  She became a certified fitness trainer, helping her clients achieve healthy goals and positive results with the care she gave, both in and out of the gym.  Michelle also loved all kinds of animals and in 2015, decided to answer an ad for a position as a pet sitter with Amber’s Pampered Pets.  Her eagerness to learn, positive energy, and welcoming attitude made her a natural fit for the position.  Both the animals and their owners all loved to see her when she arrived to care for them, and she always took the time to listen and make sure she knew what they needed to feel comfortable leaving their “fur babies” in her care. Her compassion and love for all also led her to become a certified Reiki Practitioner, and she used her abilities and talent to better other’s lives.

In her spare time, Michelle loved to watch “True Crime” series and documentaries and volunteered with the Family Justice Center, SOS division to help victims of domestic violence. She also fostered many pets until they could find a forever home.

She was rarely seen without a smile on her face and people were naturally drawn to her magnetic personality.  Her kindness, silly sense of humor, compassion for others and love for her family will be remembered by anyone who had the privilege of knowing Michelle.

In her memory, donations may be made to Meow Mission at www.themeowmission.org.  To light a virtual candle, share a story of her life, or leave a message of comfort for her family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.