Michelle McGinnis Sallee

Michelle McGinnis Sallee, 53, of Elizabethtown, IN, entered her eternal salvation on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Our Hospice Inpatient Facility.

She was born September 22, 1972 in Columbus, Indiana. Born as Michelle Dee Nentrup to biological parents Gregory Dee Nentrup and Nancy Luzius Nentrup. In 1977 She was lovingly adopted by Glen E. McGinnis. This resulted in Michelle’s name changing to Michelle Nikkiole McGinnis.

Michelle was a graduate of Columbus North High School and Indiana University Southeast. After college Michelle only worked at two places, Sacoma for 10 years and Vernet (formerly Caltherm) for 18 years. Professionally Michelle was a jack of all trades, working in almost every department in both companies. Her passion was to help others, extend knowledge and numbers. Her help with Excel will be dearly missed by coworkers. Due to health reasons, Michelle retired early on December 20, 2024. Her heart was heavy to leave her work family.

Michelle married her rock on earth, Thomas Sallee on June 15, 1996. Tom was always the calm to her crazy storm. They were blessed with two beautiful sons, Levi and Joshua. While having children can be a challenge, it only made Tom and Michelle stronger as well as their faith. Levi and Joshua brought the light of the Lord with them and made their Mom’s life better for just knowing them.

Michelle was a member of East Columbus Christian Church. Michelle’s passion in life was to be the hands and feet of our Lord. To her that meant giving hugs. Even people she just met were pulled into an embrace. If you were ever a recipient of her hugs, well you know the love she put into each one. Another passion for Michelle was animals. She was blessed with many fur and feathered babies in her lifetime. The love for an animal put a smile in her eyes.

Carrying on this earth are her loving husband Tom, her amazing sons Levi and Joshua. Her father, Glen (Natalie) McGinnis. Her emotionally adopted parents, Damon and Lin Perry and Amy (Cary) Ogilvie. Siblings Nathaniel (Karlie) Nentrup, Kristen (Josh) Quinn, Katherine (Eric)…McBee, Andrew (Jerrica) McGinnis, Madison (Michael) Johnson and several nieces and nephews. And the countless friends that became family.

Rejoicing with her in eternal salvation are her father Gregory Nentrup, mother Nancy Abrams, brother Britt McGinnis, Grandparents Elmer William and Gretchen Luzius, George and June Nentrup, and Cecil and Mary McGinnis.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2026 at East Columbus Christian Church, 3170 Indiana Ave., Columbus, IN 47201 with Ron Bridgwater and Kendall Wildey officiating. Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday at Jewell-Rittman Funeral Service & Crematory and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Michelle will be laid to rest at Garland Brook Cemetery.

Michelle wanted everyone to know that because she lived each day to the fullest, cancer did not beat her, she survived, lived, loved and laughed thru it. And this message, be His Hands and Feet, Hug as Our Savior Loves us, unconditionally.