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Merritt, Dr. Melody B. James
Dr. Melody B. James Merritt, 60, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, May 6, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at St. Mathias Church, 215 West Eighth St., Muscatine. The Rev. Jason Crossen of Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish will officiate. Honorary bearers will be Donna Offerman, Brenda Borden, Gail Vanden Berg, Laryl Vanden Berg, Carla Hucke, Vicki Elliott, Joy McKillip and Penny Burns. Casket bearers will be Mike Townsley, Jim Nepple, Mack Offerman, David Paul, Brett Bohlken, Zephyr Borden, David Offerman and Gary Burns. Burial will be in the Muscatine Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home, 1931 Houser St., Muscatine.
Melody was born Jan. 26, 1953, in Muscatine, the daughter of Ernest E. and Elizabeth (Townsley) James. She was a graduate of Muscatine High School class of 1971. She graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College, with her bachelor's degree in 1975. She obtained her master's degree from the University of Iowa in 1977 and graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine with her doctorate in 1981.
She had her own osteopathic practices where she specialized in Family Practice and Emergency Room Medicine.
She was a writer and published poetry pieces. She had a goal of writing the ultimate horror story and children's books. She was a world traveler, and a fan of the Yankees, Boston Celtics and Pittsburg Penguins. She enjoyed watching Dr. Phil. She loved music, especially Neil Diamond and Mozart. Melody enjoyed reading and converted to the Catholic faith in the early 1970s.
Those left to honor her memory include two sons, Harlie James Merritt and special friend Whitney Doolin of Cedar Rapids and Bradley Robert Merritt and wife Nicole of West Des Moines; one brother, Gary James and wife Sue of Glendale, Ariz.; and one sister, Lynne Paul and husband Donald of Muscatine,
She was preceded in death by one daughter in infancy, Audra Beth Merritt; and her parents.
Memorials may be made to the family c/o Harlie Merritt for a later designated memorial.
Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Published May 10, 2013 in The Gazette
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