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Melina Paz Chavez, 23, passed away on December 25, 2022, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kan. She was born on May 6, 1999, in Great Bend, Kan., to Jose Conception Chavez and Maria Santos Espinoza Bonilla.

Having moved to Wichita after being a lifetime Great Bend resident, Melina was preparing to start her career as a cosmetologist. She was a 2017 graduate of Great Bend High School and recently completed her cosmetology training from Bellus Academy. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church was a very dedicated to her faith and church activities. Melina loved traveling, spending time with friends and especially spending time with family.

Survivors include her parents; three brothers, Yobany (Sharon) Salazar of Tulsa, Okla., Chon Chavez of Dallas, Tex., and Bobby (Ben Blood) Chavez of Great Bend; two nieces, Ariel and Rayla Salazar; and numerous other family members and friends.

Visitation with family receiving guests will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with vigil services taking place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2022, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Prakash Kola presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North. Memorials have been designated to the Melina Chavez Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.