Dr. Keely M. Twibell, 58, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 6:53 AM on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at her residence in South Bend. She was born on Tuesday, March 19, 1968, in Hartford City, IN. She married JJ Merimonti on Saturday, June 25, 2011, in Milford, IN.

Keely was a 1986 graduate of Blackford High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Butler University, her master’s degree from Indiana University, and her doctorate from Purdue University, all in education. She dedicated 35 years to Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, where she worked as a middle school teacher. During her career there, she served as a track coach, athletic director, POMS leader, and gifted and talented coordinator.

For the last 18 years of her career, Keely served as principal of Prairie Vista Elementary School in Granger, IN. She retired from there on January 2, 2026. Following her retirement, she began a new role as a professor at Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame.

Keely was a member of the DAR. She loved gardening and flowers and especially enjoyed spending time at Canadian Lakes in Michigan. She also enjoyed exploring northern Michigan, kayaking, and making memories with her nieces.

She is survived by her husband, JJ Merimonti, of South Bend, IN; brothers, Ronald Twibell, of Washington State, and Lynn (Kristy) Twibell, of Montpelier, IN; sister, Kim Twibell-Batten, of Montpelier, IN; niece, Heaven Twibell, of Montpelier, IN; niece, Samantha Booher, of Bluffton, IN; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Jessa, McKenna, Aria, Jace, and Isaiah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ron D. Twibell and Victoria Rose (Fitch) Twibell; mother & father-in-law, Nancy and Earl Nimtz; and father-in-law, John Merimonti.

Family and friends may gather to share and remember at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, 109 W. Windsor St., Montpelier, IN, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

A service to celebrate Keely’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, with Les Bantz officiating. Interment will follow at Brookside Memorial Park in Montpelier.

The family will also be having a Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 17, 2026 starting at 12:00 PM with visitation, services, and appetizers and dessert following at Hope of Edwardsburg 69941 Elkhart Rd. Edwardsburg, MI. 49112

Preferred memorials may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.

Arrangements are being handled by Walker & Glancy Funeral Home in Montpelier.

Online condolences may be made at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com.