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Woman in fatal motorcycle crash was fun-loving mother

Melinda “Mindy” Hipsher, 35, died early Sunday morning following a motorcycle crash Friday along Trenton-Franklin Road in Madison Twp.

Contributed photo Melinda “Mindy” Hipsher, 35, died early Sunday morning following a motorcycle crash Friday along Trenton-Franklin Road in Madison Twp.

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By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer Updated 8:52 PM Tuesday, October 11, 2011

FRANKLIN — Family members describe Melinda Hipsher as a fun-loving mother of two who enjoyed spending time with her large extension of family and friends.

Melinda “Mindy” Hipsher, 35, died early Sunday morning following a motorcycle crash Friday along Trenton-Franklin Road in Madison Twp.

Mother Carolyn Hipsher lived with her daughter in a home in Franklin and said she was a wonderful, full-time mom to her sons ages 3 and 19.

“She was very happy,” Carolyn Hipsher said. “She loved to ride motorcycles and liked to get together with friends and family.”

Originally from Middletown, Melinda Hipsher is survived by parents Carolyn and Michael Hipsher; sons Dustin Miller and Russell Scearce; siblings Michelle Hipsher, Michael T. Hipsher, MacKenzie Quillen, Rodney Hipsher and Ryan Hipsher; and several nieces and nephews.

Melinda Hipsher was a passenger about 6:30 p.m. Friday on the 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle of friend Richard Cockerham, 48, of Franklin.

Butler County sheriff’s Sgt. Monte Mayer said Cockerham was headed north on Trenton-Franklin Road near Ohio 122 when he apparently lost control of his bike and struck a guardrail.

Both riders were thrown from the motorcycle and were not wearing helmets, Mayer said. Cockerham remains in critical condition Tuesday at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.

“She was just a really easy going, fun-loving person,” said sister Michelle Hipsher.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. 2nd. St. in Franklin, with a burial in Woodhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Condolences may be made to the family at www.anderson-fh.com.

The accident remains under investigation by the Butler County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team and the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. No charges have been filed.

Trenton-Franklin Road has been the stage for a number of fatal crashes. In August 2010, Gail Arnold, 43, of Xenia died after her motorcycle went left of center and struck a Jeep. In 2000, 16-year-old Brian Cook of Madison Twp. was killed following a one-vehicle crash.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or hpoturalski@coxohio.com.

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