Cory Nicholas Reindl Mellum, age 27, left this Earth on his own terms on Friday, March 14th.  He no longer wanted to live in a world where he couldn't be himself which meant he didn't fit other people's view of "normal."

Cory graduated from Wisconsin Heights High School in 2016.  The following year he attended Project Search, an amazing transition program for people with disabilities.

Cory loved FOOD, video games, car rides, nature, cats, being goofy, debates, everything in its place (and don't you dare move it!), and he had a really great sense of humor.  He was also a collector of unique guns and knew all sorts of information about them.  That may scare you, but he never threatened anyone, and the only person he ever hurt was himself – so sad.  He really, really wanted to make a connection with someone.

Since high school, Cory has made great strides in dealing with his mental illnesses (anxiety, depression and likely autism/Asperger's and personality disorder), but after multiple unproductive courses of therapy and medication, he became adverse to both.  It takes one heck of a strong person to live through every day with a mental illness.  Remember that, and BE KIND!

Cory is survived by his father, Chad Mellum, of Arena, his mother, Mary Reindl-Frey (Pat Frey) of Prairie du Sac, his grandparents, Janice Reindl and Ginny and Weiner Mellum, all of Black Earth, Aunts Jenelle Mellum, Lisa (Brian) Parrell, Angie (Betsy) Reindl, and Missy (Tony) Danz and all of their children, and a stepsister, Cassie Frey of Madison.  He was preceded in death by his Grandfather Ted Reindl and his beloved cat Snowbell.

We will miss him like crazy.  He was our only child and the only grandchild in the Mellum family.  He brought us great joy!

Please support mental healthcare and improvements to the system so it is more accessible to everyone.  Also support changes in the legal system for people with mental health issues – they belong in treatment, not prison.  Stop the stigma.

A visitation for Cory will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Hooverson Funeral Home, Hwy 14 West, Mazomanie.  A private service for Cory's family will be held prior to the visitation.

A memorial will be established in Cory's name.

Online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes.com