Melinda Stiles

NORA SPRINGS: Melinda Ann Stiles, 44, of Nora Springs, died Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at the Cancer Treatment Center of America, Zion, Illinois after a courageous 6 ½ year battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Monday, December 30, 2013 at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 440 N. Illinois Avenue with Pastor Scott Davis officiating. Interment will be in Park Cemetery, Nora Springs. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 6:00 PM Sunday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Melinda Stiles Memorial Fund. Melinda was born September 9, 1969 in Charles City, Iowa the daughter of Roger and Mary Ann (O’Connor) Martzahn. She graduated from Greene High School in 1988 and North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) in 1989. Melinda married Thad Stiles November 18, 1989 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Greene. She was employed by OmniTel Communications, Nora Springs for 14 years working as their billing manager. Melinda was diagnosed with cancer 6 ½ years ago. She never complained about her illness, instead, remained positive throughout her battle often telling family and friends, “it is what it is”. She was a tough mother devoted to her family and determined to watch her boys grow up. Melinda had an amazing sense of humor to the very end. She was a devout Christian and as one friend put it, “one organized woman”. A few of her interests included, reading, camping, and time spent with family and friends. Melinda is survived by her husband, Thad of Nora Springs; 2 sons, Ryan and Matt of Nora Springs; parents, Roger and Mary Ann Martzahn of Greene; brothers, Rick (Jane) Martzahn of Greene, Roland (Deanne) Martzahn of Greene, and Joe Martzahn of West Des Moines; sister, Michelle (Faron) Jensen of Greene; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; special family friends, Brad (Jeannie) Shanks of Nora Springs. Melinda was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Roy and Jeanette Martzahn; maternal grandparents, Richard and Myrtle O’Connor; aunt, Janice DeVries.