"Friends for 55 years. I will miss her but I will never forget all the memories we made together"
In loving memory of
Melody B. James Merritt
January 26, 1953 - May 6, 2013
DR. MELODY B. JAMES MERRITT
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Dr. Melody B. James Merritt, 60, of Cedar Rapids, died on Monday, May 6, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at St. Mathias Church, 215 West Eighth Street, Muscatine. The Reverend Jason Crossen of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish will officiate. Honorary bearers will be Donna Offerman, Brenda Borden, Gail Vanden Berg, Laryl Vanden Berg, Carla Hucke, Vicki Elliott, Joy McKillip, and Penny Burns. Casket bearers will be Mike Townsley, Jim Nepple, Mack Offerman, David Paul, Brett Bohlken, Zephyr Borden, David Offerman, and Gary Burns. Burial will be in Muscatine Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home, 1931 Houser Street, Muscatine. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Harlie Merritt for a later designated memorial.
Melody was born on January 26, 1953, in Muscatine, the daughter of Ernest E. and Elizabeth Townsley James. She was a graduate of Muscatine High School, class of 1971. She graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College with her Bachelor's Degree in 1975. She obtained her Master's Degree from the University of Iowa in 1977 and graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine with her Doctorate in 1981.
She had her own Osteopathic practices where she specialized in Family Practice and Emergency Room Medicine.
She was a writer and published poetry pieces. She had a goal of writing the ultimate horror story and children's books. She was a world traveler, and a fan of the Yankees, Boston Celtics, and Pittsburg Penguins. She enjoyed watching Dr. Phil. She loved music, especially Neil Diamond and Mozart. Melody enjoyed reading and converted to the Catholic faith in the early 70's.
Those left to honor her memory include two sons, Harlie James Merritt and special friend, Whitney Doolin, of Cedar Rapids and Bradley Robert Merritt and wife, Nicole, of West Des Moines; one brother, Gary James and wife, Sue, of Glendale, Arizona; and one sister, Lynne Paul and husband, Donald, of Muscatine.
She was preceded in death by one daughter in infancy, Audra Beth Merritt, and her parents.
Tributes
"To Dr. Merritt's sons and families~ May God's light shine upon you and His love surround and comfort you in these difficult days. God Bless. Dr. Mary Nicol"
"I was saddened to learn of Melody's passing -- she and I had so many memories together both at IWC and then in Iowa City where we shared an apartment together while students. She had a heart of gold!"
"Lynne & I taught migrant children in the summer & I met Melody through Lynne. Melody certainly had a very busy life accomplishing many things. RIP Melody RIP."
"This is just a short note to pass on the condolences of the Dan Shonka family to Melody's family for their loss. We got to know Melody through her son Brad & our son Teddy playing baseball together. Her pride in Brad's baseball & academic achievements were modest but evident when Brad was one of 4 juniors then seniors that led Kennedy to a 2nd place state finish in 2006 & a final 4 place in 2007. Melody had a smile and kind word for everyone. Rest in Peace."
"I was saddened to hear of Melody's passing. I have many fond memories of Melody and her family growing up on Clinton Street. One in particular was when she tied a rope between 2 trees and we practiced our tightroping skills. I also remember conversations with her about becoming a doctor or a vet. She never treated me but I'm sure she was the best doctor ever! Rest Melody. My sympathy is with her family at this sad time."
"I instantly recognized the name and she was my Dr. for a time in Monticello. She was always kind and had a wonderful bedside manner. So sorry for your loss."
"I worked for Melody and her family for many years in Monticello. She was a very good Dr and friend. I enjoyed spending time with the boys...at that time they were very young. I would enjoy hearing from them sometime and finding out how they are doing. My thoughts are with them. "
"She was so kind and caring...she always made feel so special...! My thoughts are with those she has left behind..."
"You are in our thoughts and prayers. May you take comfort in knowing we are remembering Melody and honoring her memory at Iowa Wesleyan College. Melody was a 1975 nursing major and member of Beta Beta Beta."
"She would ask about my children when I had to see her. And she always wanted to know what I was crocheting at the time. RIP sweet lady.RIP"
"Loved working with Dr. Merritt. She was always so kind. "
"She was one of the nicest physicians we had locally. A great communicator. "
"She was one of my best friends in high school. One night we thought we should drive around in my old VW to see how many laws we could break - nothing serious; like driving in reverse up an alley, driving the wrong way down a one way deserted side street, we had so many giggles in my bug and her big King George (forgot the model). I saw her again years later, then lost touch again. I would think about trying to find her again over the years, but time passed and now I regret I didn't try harder. I will miss her. The world has lost a sweet, caring person."
"To Melody's sons and families, Lynn and Gary My deepest sympathy in the loss of Melody. My special memories are of Melody as a young girl at the James store on Clinton St. in Muscatine and as a junior bowler at Pla Mor Lanes when I was coaching. Melody, Dennis and James Mills and my daughter Katie were Bantam Division Junior Bowling Champions in both local league and at the Iowa State Junior Bowling Tournament several years ago. I will always have fond memories of the whole James family. May God be with you in your sorrow."