Melanie Staples (Hamling) Obituary

Our mom, sister, aunt, and friend, Melanie, passed away on July 3, 2023, from heat stroke while doing what she loved, hiking. She was 57 and lived in Kanab. She was born shortly before her twin sister, Merilie, in December 1965, the third child of Milt and Lynette Allred Staples. She was married to Jeff Hamling, of Bozeman Montana, from 1990 to 2017 during which time they had four children: Logan Hamling (wife, Shellee), Samuel Hamling (wife, Paola), Hunter Hamling, and Sophie Hamling. 

She loved her children fiercely and enjoyed long phone conversations and spending time with them and with her grandson Knox, who was the light of her life. She was always looking for little ways to show that she was thinking about her children. Random gifts, funny memes, and sending them songs. She was always encouraging them to do what makes them happy. She never once made them feel like their decision was the wrong one; she only provided unconditional love and unending support. To put into words the sunshine Mel brought into her children's lives is difficult to do. She indeed was the light of their lives. 

She also had a large circle of friends. She made friends easily because of her loving and nonjudgmental nature and was quick to become a confidante with her gift of intent listening. She enjoyed travel and visited Hawaii, Mexico, and other places. Melanie loved Diet Coke. She loved being spontaneous, hiking, adventuring, rock hunting, going to Styx concerts, and quality time spent with loved ones. 

Melanie successfully battled through addiction to be the mother and vibrant person she knew she had inside of her. She, along with her family, was very proud of her overcoming her struggle with addiction. Later, she became a mentor for those battling addiction, which helped them find hope. Her friends and family will miss her sweet disposition, her smoky voice, her willingness to help others, her inclusion of those sometimes forgotten, a listening ear, and most of all the sunshine she brought into every room. 

She is preceded in death by her father, and is survived by her children (Logan Hamling, Hunter Hamling, Samuel Hamling, and Sophie Hamling), her mother, three brothers (Jeff Staples, Joe Staples, and Owen Staples), and three sisters (her twin sister, Merilie Johnson, Loralyn Staples, and Karen Holbrook).

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