Michelle K. Malega

Michelle K. Malega, 57, of Lebanon, passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born May 9, 1968, in Livonia, Michigan, a daughter of Dianne E. (Simpson) Malega and the late Ronald M. Malega. Michelle married Steven M. Baum on August 10, 1991, and he survives.

Michelle graduated from Churchill High School in Livonia, Michigan, and attended the University of Michigan. She was the rock of her family, always caring for those she loved and putting others before herself. Michelle was artistic by nature and found joy in card making and scrapbooking, talents she shared generously with family and friends.

Survivors include her loving husband, Steve Baum of Lebanon; her mother, Dianne Malega of Springfield, Missouri; her brother, Ron (Michelle) Malega of Springfield, Missouri; nieces, Zoe and Nina Malega; uncle, Richard (Maryann) Simpson; cousins, Bonnie (Mark) McCarthy, Megan McCarthy (Loran Miller), Cora and Mark, and Chelsea McCarthy, Tim Simpson, Bill Simpson, Lori Butkowski and Rich (Karen) Butkowski; mother-in-law, Vicky Baum of Onsted, Michigan; sister-in-law, Chris (Judy) Comer of Colonial Heights, Virginia; uncle-in-law, Ken Baum; and aunts-in-law, Cheryl Baum and Karen Dawson.

Michelle was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Malega; father-in-law, Gerald “Jerry” Baum; uncle, Jack (Maggie) Simpson; aunts, Shirley (Dick) Butkowski and Debbie Malega; and uncle-in-law, Wayne Dawson.

Memorial contributions in Michelle’s memory may be made to the Humane Society of Huron Valley, 3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105.

Final care of Michelle has been entrusted to the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. You are invited to visit the website to sign her online register and leave a personal message at Strawmyer & DruryFuneral and Cremation Service: Lebanon, Indiana (IN)