Milbach, Sylvia J.

Sylvia J. Milbach, 79, of Independence, formerly of the Walker area, died Friday morning, Nov. 30, 2012, at the ABCM Rehab Center-West campus in Independence.

Sylvia was born Oct. 22, 1933, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Benjamin S. and Vyrna M. (Lynch) Cashner. She moved with her family to the Rowley area, where she graduated from Rowley High School in 1951. Following graduation she attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. On Aug. 3, 1957, she was united in marriage to James J. Milbach at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Walker. The couple farmed in the Walker area and Sylvia returned to college and received her Bachelor of Education degree from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. She taught school in the Walker Schools for five years, and also did substitute teaching, then became employed with MCI and later with APAC.

She is survived by her husband, James Milbach, Independence; four children, Keith (Deborah) Milbach, Independence, Gary Milbach, Austin, Texas, Elaine (Pat) Collins, Cedar Rapids, and Lisa (Joe) Kremer, Independence; 14 grandchildren; two sisters, Anita Webb, Cedar Rapids, and Susan Knott, Independence; and a brother, Bob Cashner, Winthrop.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Benjamin Cashner.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, at St. John's Catholic Church, Independence, with the Rev. Don Plamondon officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Walker. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence. A rosary will be recited at 3 p.m. Sunday and a parish vigil service held at 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

For more information or to leave an online condolence please go to www.reifffuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Dec. 1, 2012 in The Gazette