Hubbard, Melissa Jane

Melissa Jane Hubbard, 71, lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, died Jan. 9, 2013, after a long illness. Memorial services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. The Rev. Lloyd Brockmeyer will officiate. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include her brother, Alan (Suzanne) Hubbard of Sparta, Tenn. She is also survived by three nieces, Anne Marie Hubbard of Los Angeles, Calif., Sarah Crower of Denver, Colo., and Julia Beck of Chicago; and cousin, Phillip McManis of Pleasant Hill, Mo.

Melissa was born July 8, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Merle and Dorothy McManis Hubbard. She graduated from Washington High School in 1959 and later from the University of Iowa in 1963, with a degree in Speech and Dramatic Arts.

Melissa worked in a variety of positions for 47 years in broadcasting, which included WSU/KSUI Radio in Iowa City, later in Cedar Rapids at KCRG-TV9 and from 1963 to 2010, at KGAN-TV (formerly WMT-TV), last serving as its program director.

Melissa was a lifelong member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, a 50-year member of PEO Sisterhood Chapter JI, and secretary of the Linn County Democratic Central Community. She formerly served on the Cedar Rapids Community Theater board, Faith in Action board and the Business Advisory Council of Goodwill of Southern Iowa.

Memorial donations may be given to St. Paul's United Methodist Church; Chapter JI, PEO; or the Aplastic Anemia Foundation of America.

Please leave a message or tribute to Melissa's family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published Jan. 13, 2013 in The Gazette