Columbus, OH — Melissa “Missy” Lynn Dunkleman Hill, 53, of Salisbury, Md., passed away at her home surrounded by her family. She had suffered a stroke in 2006 and survived cancer in 2012. Last year, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, to which she succumbed on Dec. 31, 2019.

Missy was born July 13, 1966, in Virginia at Portsmouth Naval Hospital to Dennis and Gayle Dunkleman. Her father was a career naval officer, requiring the family to be stationed at several different bases until his retirement. They then settled in Salisbury, her mother’s hometown, where she graduated from Wicomico Senior High School in 1984. Missy started riding horses when she was 10 years old, and by 14 she began eventing and loved cross-country. Later, she started competing on the hunter circuit closer to home, showing mostly with the Combined Eastern Shore Horse Shows for several years. In 1993, she married David Hill and they trained and raced Standardbreds, where she received great satisfaction seeing a horse improve and do well.

In addition to her husband and parents, Missy leaves behind her son, Ryan (Maia); mother-in-law, Mary Ellen Hill; sister, Denise Aliff; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family plans a private service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Missy to help offset funeral expenses.