Mary Melka

MARY LOU MELKA Independence Mary Lou "Tootlie" Melka, 86, of Independence, died peacefully Nov. 27, 2014, at the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Mary was born Dec. 8, 1927, in Otterville, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas E. and Lelia M. (Beyer) O'Brien. She was a graduate of Jesup High School in 1945 and attended Kirkwood Community College. On July 28, 1950, Mary was married to Donald Melka in Minnesota. They later made their home in Independence, and she worked for many years at Collins Radio Co. in Cedar Rapids. She loved many things in life, most of all her dog, Sophie, her family and traveling. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Donald, in 2000; and a brother, Harvey O'Brien. She is survived by her children, James F. (Kathryn) Melka, Winthrop, Joni M. (Bob) Hocken, Independence, and Kris M. (Steve) Shonka, Rowley; seven grand-children, Dan Melka, Brian Melka, Adam Melka, Kelley Doyle, Rob Hocken, Andy Shonka and Sally Brown; 17 great-grandchildren, Carissa Melka, Jacob Melka, Joey Melka, Ryan Melka, Z. Melka, G. Melka, V. Melka, Jamie Hocken, Jon Hocken, Jocelyn Hocken, Jadyn Hocken, Hyatt Hocken, Zaladet Shonka, Tevlen Shonka, Voeden Shonka, Liercen Shonka, one on the way, and Mace Brown; two sisters, Iva Fratzke, Independence, and Darlene Beatty, Independence; and three brothers, Floyd "Bink" O'Brien, Richard "Dick" O'Brien and Pat O'Brien. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, at First United Methodist Church, Independence, with the Rev. Scott Meador officiating. Interment: Floral Hills Cemetery, Hazleton. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence and from 10:30 a.m. until service time Monday at the church. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please go to www.reifffuneral home.com.