Melinda Lu Woodard
Melinda Lu Woodard
April 16, 1959 – September 21, 2011
Hedrick, Iowa
Visitation: From 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. September 26, 2011 at Hedrick/Martinsburg United Methodist Church in Hedrick, Iowa.
Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M. September 27, 2011 at Hedrick/Martinsburg United Methodist Church in Hedrick, Iowa.
Interment: The body has been cremated there will be no burial at this time.
Melinda was born April 16, 1959 in Ottumwa, Iowa the daughter of Lawrence “Jeep” and Violet “Toots” Nupp Woodard. During her early life she lived in LeClaire, Iowa attending schools in that area. She later attended Scott County Community College for Radio Broadcasting. Melinda was united in marriage to Wendell Arduser in 1980, they later divorced. She was employed as a DJ at KWPC in Muscatine and also worked at several different radio stations. In 1990 she and her son, David moved to Ottumwa and Melinda was a DJ at KLEE & KOTM in Ottumwa, and KBOE in Oskaloosa. She continued working until the late 90’s she worked at the Hedrick Public Library and several other places until retiring in 2005 due to ill health. In 1993, Melinda and her son, David, moved to Hedrick and this became their home. Living in Hedrick was very important to Melinda. In 2010 she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. She was a member of the Hedrick/Martinsburg United Methodist Church and the Hedrick/Martinsburg United Methodist Women. Melinda loved her son deeply and was extremely proud of the man he has become, spending time with him and her father “Jeep” was one of her greatest joys. She also loved her cats, delighted in being with her immediate family, going to different rivers especially the Mississippi, Lake Wapello and enjoyed watching nature. Another favorite of Melinda’s was her 1977 Monte Carlo. She never let hardships get her down and she always remained strong. She endured whatever life handed her and accepted it in a gracious way. Melinda is survived by her son, David (Stephanie) Arduser of Hedrick, her father Lawrence “Jeep” Woodard, stepsons; Brian Arduser of Glamis, California, and Jason “Jay” (Sara) Arduser of Coralville, Iowa. Half brothers, Charlie “C.B.” (Shirley) Helmick of Moline, Illinois and Mike Helmick of California and many nieces and nephews. Melinda was preceded in death by her mother Violet “Toots” Nupp, her step-father Charlie Helmick, and her grandparents.
Source: Fremont Funeral Chapel
