Date of Birth
January 1, 1980
Date of Death
March 6, 2018
Location
Coal City, Illinois
Cause of Death
Motor Vehicle Accident
Who She Was
Her Story
Age 38 of Coal City, along with her son Jaxson Cash Cullen, passed away tragically Tuesday March 6, 2018 as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
Born January 1, 1980, Melinda is the daughter of Roberto and Teresa (Valdez) Cortez of Diamond. She was raised and educated in Coal City, where she enjoyed playing basketball, participated in vocal competitions, and was a member of the Math Team. Melinda graduated from Coal City High School with the Class of 1998, and went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Melinda formerly worked for Commscope Technologies in Joliet, and was currently employed with Panduit in Tinley Park. She was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City.
A woman of strong will, Melinda loved to cook and had a smile that could lighten up any room. She also made special time for her family or anyone in need. Family was of utmost importance to her, and she will most be remembered as a devoted mother that leaves behind a beautiful family that will miss her very much.
Survivors include her parents, Roberto and Teresa Cortez; husband David Cullen, whom she married October 23, 2015; three children: Arianna Paige Mierzwa, Olivia Delaney Mierzwa and Katrina Quinn Cullen; one brother: Javier Cortez; her niece and nephew: Owen Robert Cortez and Annabelle Elizabeth Cortez; aunts and uncles: Carmen (Ben) Minor, Eddie (Kathy) Valdez, Jesse Valdez, Max (Laura) Valdez, Manuel Ramat, Medardo (the late Julia) Cortez, Serafin (Mary) Cortez, and Roy (Judy) Cortez; her father-in-law: Charles (Peg) Cullen, and three sisters-in-law: April Highbaugh, Brenda (Terry) Briscoe, and Cindy (Paul) Hanley.
Melinda was preceded in death by her grandparents: Martha C. Ramat and Moises and Adela Cortez; aunts and uncles: Moises Cortez, Adela Becerra, Estella Pena and Jovita Reyes, and her mother-in-law: Janet Cullen.