Melsha, Daniel Lee

Daniel Lee Melsha, 53, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, in St. Luke's Hospital. Services: 1 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Inurnment: Private at Campbell Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include his daughter, Lexis D. Melsha of Cedar Rapids; his mother, JoAnne Melsha of Cedar Rapids; his brother, Steven Melsha of Cedar Rapids; and a nephew, Hunter Melsha of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Melsha Sr.; and a brother, Robert Melsha Jr.

Daniel was born Feb. 1, 1960, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Robert and JoAnne (Jerabeck) Melsha. He graduated from Washington High School, attended Mankato State College and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Cornell College. He was owner and operator of five Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centres in the Iowa and Illinois area and a very successful businessman winning many, many, recognitions and awards.

Daniel was an avid outdoors man. His love for the outdoors made him a sportsman leading to annual hunting and fishing trips to Canada, Oklahoma and Kansas, as well as duck hunting at his cabin on Lake Odessa. Daniel was a dedicated fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs and was a member of Duck's Unlimited. He lived his life to the fullest and was always happy spending time at his summer home in Guttenberg, enjoying boating on the Mississippi River and putting on his annual fireworks display. Daniel also spent time at his condo in Pompano Beach, Fla.

He was a perfectionist in everything that he did. His family was very important to him and he was an amazing father and mother to his daughter for 18 years, as well as caring for his mother. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends and will be well remembered by his kindness, driven and hardworking personality.

Please leave a message for the family on the Web page under obituaries.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or Discovery Living.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 17, 2013.