Michelle Hynek

Michelle Lee Hynek, 49, a woman of unwavering strength and grace, passed away on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, surrounded by an enormous amount of love and her family by her side. Michelle courageously battled cancer, defying all odds for over four years with a resilience and determination that inspired everyone fortunate enough to witness her journey. She was born on March 13, 1974, to Janis (Hogue) O’Bryan and Larry Hynek in Manhattan. She spent early years across Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, New Jersey and Illinois. She graduated from Lincoln Way High School in Frankfort, Ill. in 1992, later attending the University of Illinois before going to California in 1994. She remained in Southern California for the rest of her life, except for the one year she spent in Italy in 1997, where she worked as a fit model. She was one of LA’s top shoot producers in the entertainment industry. For more than 20 years she worked for Zach Crawford of Crawford & Co. He quickly became her mentor and her family as they worked together until the very end. In 2010 she met her husband, Will Nitch sharing so many of the same interests and passions. Together they had two beautiful children, Billy, age 9, and Stevie, age 6. She is survived by her husband, William Nitch; children, Billy and Stevie Nitch, Woodland Hills, CA. Her mother, Janis (Mark) O’Bryan, Carrolton, TX; step-mother Cindy (Jones) Hynek, Barnes; mother and father in law, Bill and Missy Nitch, Greenville, PA; sister, Kara (Jared) Sedlacek, Hanover, brothers, Brent (Jenny) Hynek, Barnes, Ryker (Sandra) Exum, Carrolton, TX, and Marc Hynek, Kansas City, MO, step brother, Mark O’Bryan Jr., Plano, TX, step sister, Alyson O’Bryan, Frisco, TX; brother-in law, Nathan (Jeanette) Nitch, Austintown, OH, and her grandparents, Pansy and Walt Rudolph, Blue Rapids, and Vic and Jan Jones, Waterville.

Preceding her in death was her father, Larry Hynek, as well as grandparents, Jack and Alberta Hogue, Mary and Joseph Hynek, Bill and Delores Nitch, and Tom Rea and Anna Rea Long. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Kloppenberg Center in Hanover. A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hanover. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, March 1, at St. John’s Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Hanover. An education fund has been established for her children, Billy and Stevie Nitch. Donations can be sent in care of Hanover Mortuary or you can follow this website to donate online at www.billyandstevie. com

Washington County News • Feb. 29, 2024