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Remembering Melissa Inman

Melissa Inman, a well-known artist in the region and the wife of Macomb's mayor has died. Inman was 55. She’s survived by her husband of 31 years, Mike Inman, and their four children.

The Macomb City Council this week held a moment of silence in remembrance of Inman. After the meeting, Fifth Ward Alderwoman Gayle Carper told Tri States Public Radio Melissa Inman was a cherished member of the community.

“She was a wonderful artist. I have some of her work,” Carper said. “She did all kinds of really amazing things. She will be really missed.”

Melissa Inman was a strong supporter of the arts.  

She was a member of Friends of the Macomb Public Library and co-chaired a successful capitol campaign for construction of a multi-million-dollar addition to Macomb’s Historic Carnegie Library. “Everybody said, we couldn’t raise the money. No one ever believed Macomb could do it. But we did it, thanks to her,” Carper said.

In September Inman served as the special guest judge of the Gazebo Arts Festival, an annual juried art show in Macomb. “She was a fabulous judge for us at GAF. She spent hours looking at everything in the art festival and talking to everybody. I think people just really appreciated the time she put into it to make her decisions,” Carper said. 

Inman was teaching French at the Macomb High School this semester. She also served on volunteer boards for the Western Illinois University Performing Arts Society and the Center for the Performing Arts project at WIU.

“She taught her family to appreciate the Arts, to share their God given gifts and talents and she instilled in them, a love of God. She was forever optimistic and she was known for constantly giving of herself to support others. She was a wonderful example of sacrificial love,” reads Inman’s obituary.

Inman’s battle with cancer weakened her immune system and she contracted sepsis. She died Sunday afternoon at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The visitation and funeral will be held at the Inman family’s church, St. Paul’s Catholic Church.

Emily Boyer is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.