Melda Black

MELDA L. BLACK

Iowa City

Melda L. Black, 93, lifelong resident of Iowa City, died peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, at Mercy Iowa City.

Funeral services will be at noon Monday, Dec. 5, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, where there will be an hour of visitation before the service. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Melda's memory to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.

Melda was born Sept. 4, 1923, in Iowa City, the daughter of Nellie Douglass Mahanna. She attended Iowa City Schools, graduating from City High School, Class of 1942. She was united in marriage to George Black on Dec. 30, 1948, in Iowa City.

Melda liked to say she was a Rosie the Riveter during World War II, doing her part to support the war effort working at a munitions plant in Cedar Rapids. Later, she worked at Sears in Iowa City, City High School and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Patient Services. She enjoyed her membership in the Eagles, VFW and Alumni Group from City High School. Melda enjoyed her conversations with family and friends and loved to share stories about the history of Iowa City. When she was able, Melda loved to travel.

Her family includes her two children, Michael D. Black and Kathleen Black Sullivan (Dan); three grandsons, Joshua Black, Sean and Ryan Sullivan; sister, Vivian Manson; brother, Donald Mahanna (Barbara); nieces, nephews, other extended family and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; and her brother, Harold Mahanna.