Melsha, Bruce A.

Bruce A. Melsha, 67, of Swisher, died Sunday, April 17, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 21, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Burial will follow in Anderson Cemetery in Swisher, where full military rites will be conducted by the Swisher American Legion. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids.

Bruce was born June 1, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Joseph “Jike” and Lilyan (Urban) Melsha. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1966 on the USS Maggofin APA 199. Bruce worked at Midwest Metals and then Iowa Precision until his retirement. He married Linda on Dec. 19, 1980. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, visiting casinos with his wife, Linda, as well as time spent with his family and his grandchildren. He was very proud working and restoring his 1941 Studebaker. He was a member of the Swisher American Legion and the Studebaker Drivers Club Inc.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, LaCane (Donald) Anthony of Swisher, and Lance Holeton of Cedar Rapids; two grandchildren, Connor and Cedar Anthony; brother, Lumir (Marilyn) Melsha; and a sister, Lilyan Serbousek, all of Swisher; stepfather, Harold Sirowy of Swisher; nephews, Steve (Deb) Serbousek, Doug (Shannon) Melsha, Mike (Shar) Melsha, Dean Melsha; a niece, Stacy (Lonnie) Christner; a stepbrother, Bill (Jeffree) Sirowy; a stepsister, Linda Gibbons both of California; and mother-in-law, Eloise Snakenberg of Sigourney.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Jike Melsha and Lilyan Melsha Sirowy; a brother-in-law, Dick Serbousek; and a nephew, Joe Melsha.

Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor's choice in Bruce's name.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at .