Melinda Doyle went home to live with her heavenly father on Feb. 6. Melinda was born on Sept. 28, 1959, to Dale and Betty Jo Wight in Concord, Calif. She was joined by her beloved brother, Timothy, two years later and they lived in Walnut Creek, Calif. until she was 8 years old. Her mother passed away in August of 1967, and her father and step-mother moved the family to Washington state, where they lived until Melinda was 13. The family then moved to Cambridge, Neb., where Melinda attended high school. She loved Nebraska and always considered it “home.” She was baptized on Aug. 9, 1974, at Harlan County Lake. Upon high school graduation, Melinda attended University of Sioux Falls and Augustana College, where she received her bachelor of arts degree in 1981. After all those years of being responsible, her vagabond side came out and she moved from place to place and held many jobs until settling down in Lincoln, Neb. Melinda was always happiest when she was in close proximity to Tim.
In 1986, Melinda moved to Beatrice, where she worked at First National Bank, Professional Marketing Concepts and Runza drive-in. In 1992, she found her true calling by becoming a licensed nail technician. In 1994, she purchased a salon and named it the Steel Magnolia. Melinda spent many years cultivating friendships and nurturing her clients. It never seemed like work to her and she always looked forward to being in the salon.
In 2003, she met and fell in love with her soulmate, Terry Doyle. They were married on Aug. 4, 2006, and this was the happiest and most contented time of her life. It didn’t matter where she was or what she was doing, as long as Terry was by her side. Together, they lived in Beatrice and Pagosa Springs, Colo. One of her biggest joys was her beloved dogs, Tucker and Cooper. Melinda loved the Lord and tried to share him with friends and acquaintances alike. Melinda was a member of Christ Community Church in Beatrice. She enjoyed snow skiing, hiking, traveling, road tripping, shopping with her soul sister, Laurie, entertaining friends and family, and loving on everyone.
Survivors include her husband, soulmate and best friend, Terry; her beloved brother, Timothy Wight (Jan) of Santa Barbara, Calif.; her daughters, Kelleigh Doyle, of Denver, Colo., and Teryn Doyle, of Lincoln; her grandson, Aaven Doyle, of Lincoln; her half-brother, Michael Wight (Sandi), of Waverly; and her half-sister, Angela Wade (Dick), of Battle Creek, Neb.; her niece, Lauren Wight, of Oakland, Calif., and her soul sister, Laurie Dorn, of Beatrice; as well as many family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, Feb. 11, at Christ Community Church, with pastors Jack Magness and Dan Martin officiating. Interment was on Monday, Feb. 12, in the Fair View Cemetery in Cambridge, Neb. A family prayer service was held on Sunday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Melinda Doyle Charitable Foundation, with Jerry and Bev Hecox in charge. Sign Melinda’s online guest book and view her video tribute when it is completed at www.ghchapel.com.
