Melissa Cain of Darlington passed away Tuesday morning, May 12, 2026, with family by her side. She was 48.
For Melissa, family was her whole life and her whole heart. She devoted much of her time attending the events that her family participated in. She was active with their school activities, the Parent Advisory Council and youth softball. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Crawfordsville.
Born Oct. 15, 1977, she was the daughter of Earl Heide and Carol Edwards Bates. She graduated from North Montgomery in 1996 and Indiana Business College in 1998. In high school, she started dating Jess Cain and they were united in marriage on April 8, 2000 at St. Bernard’s.
She is survived by her loving family, which includes: husband, Jess Cain of Darlington; son Conner Cain; three daughters, Elizabeth Cain, Anna Cain and Abigail Cain; mother Carol Bates; father Earl Heide and his wife, Janet; grandmother Jean Edwards; three brothers, Chad Heide, Jeremy Heide and Justin Heide; along with many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, all of whom she loved.
Her family will hold a private service at St. Bernard Catholic Church, led by Father Michael Bower. A public gathering to remember her life will be announced as soon as the information is available. She will be privately laid to rest at the St. James Lutheran Cemetery, east of Darlington. Arrangements were entrusted to Burkhart Funeral Home.
