Hartville, Ohio – The Hartville and Lake Township communities were devastated by a tragedy in August 2023. Melissa Murphy Dunham and her three children, Renee, Amber, and Evan, lost their lives in a murder-suicide, leaving their loved ones and community reeling in the wake of their untimely deaths.
Since the tragedy, Melissa’s sister, Valerie Murphy-Daugherty, has been determined to honor their memory by setting up a scholarship. “We want to honor them, and the impact their lives made on those around them. It is our hope this scholarship will be a way to keep contributing to this community as they would have,” she said. The scholarship will serve as a tribute to Melissa and her children, carrying forward the positive impact they had on those around them.
The Lake Community Hope Scholarship in Memory of Melissa, Renee, Amber, and Evan is being overseen by The Stark Community Foundation. It is dedicated to supporting the Lake Local Schools, the district where Melissa and her children were deeply involved. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to graduating seniors from Lake High School who have shown outstanding dedication to extracurricular activities and community service. This reflects the values that Melissa instilled in her children from a young age.
The first scholarship will be available to seniors graduating in 2025, with the application process beginning in December 2024. The goal is to help deserving students continue their education and make a positive impact, just as Melissa and her children did. To support this cause, donations to the scholarship fund can be made through the Stark Community Foundation website.
The community hopes that through this scholarship, the legacy of Melissa, Renee, Amber, and Evan will continue to inspire and uplift others for years to come. In the face of tragedy, their memory will live on through the educational opportunities provided to future generations.