Melody Renee “Mel” Cockerham passed away on October 3, 2026, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Mel was 72 and made her home in Nevada.

Mel was born on August 8, 1954, to Robert and Inez Meindl. She attended Dows High School and later found her lifelong companion in Daniel Cockerham. Mel and Dan were united in marriage on October 27, 1984, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada, Iowa, beginning nearly 42 years of life together.

Mel spent most of her career working at GFS in Nevada. Away from work, she found happiness in life’s simple pleasures—settling in with a good book, spending time on the computer, and, in earlier years, dancing with Dan at the Moose Lodge in Ames. The two shared many enjoyable outings to Meskwaki and Prairie Meadows. Mel also took great pride in her extensive Emmett Kelly clown collection, which she lovingly cherished through the years.

Above all, Mel treasured her family. She will be deeply missed by her husband of nearly 42 years, Dan of Nevada; her daughter, Jennifer (Karl) Smith of Altoona; her grandson, Zach Miller of Pleasant Hill; her brothers, Art Dyke of Amarillo, Texas, and Daniel (Jackie) Meindl of Topeka, Kansas; and her sisters, Colleen (Alfredo) Salas of Dumas, Texas, and Rosalie Meindl of Amarillo, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Inez.

Mel will be remembered with love for the joy she found in her favorite pastimes and for the many memories she created with those closest to her. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family, with their use to be determined at a later date.

A gathering of family and friends will be 5-7 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home, 1418 Fawcett Pkwy, in Nevada. Refreshments will be served.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with caring for Mel. Condolences may be expressed online at www.rasmussonfh.com.