Melinda Mae (Voyik) Dutka, 72, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was called home on January 22, 2025. Melinda, a 1970 graduate of Madison Comprehensive High School in Mansfield, Ohio, and married to the love of her life and her rock, James Dutka for over 52 years. They were wed on November 25, 1972, and had four children who adored her, and they were her world.
Melinda, a devoted wife and mother was a beautiful example of living the Christian faith. Melinda knew she was not perfect but strove every day to be better. She loved and cared for everyone. She was determined to add value to this life and be her best self. This carried to her work life as well. Whether living in Mansfield, Ohio; East Lansing, Michigan; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Joliet, Illinois, or Williston, Vermont, she left a trail of Christian friends, admiring colleagues, and a work ethic hard to beat. Her smile was genuine, making everyone feel loved, heard, and embraced. Melinda’s life was a wonderful example of simple and complex, living in peace and through the storms, commitment in life and marriage, and prayer through all. That is why she dwelled in the enduring love of family and friends.
In her last years, Melinda battled the devastating disease of ALS. She faced this challenge with grace and determination. Her smile endured through it all.
Melinda is the daughter of James and Jean Ann Voyik and is one of five children. Melinda was preceded in death by her parents, two siblings (Greg Voyik and Alison Boals), her oldest son, Chad Dutka, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Surviving is her husband James, three children and six grandchildren, Nicholas Dutka and son Jacob, Joseph Dutka and son Liam and daughters Lili and Elle, Oliva Valencic-Miller and son Carter Valencic and daughter Isabella Miller, siblings Tyler Voyik and Polly Voyik (Field) Searcy and numerous family and friends. It would be remiss not to mention Gus, her devoted dachshund, whom she loved, and he loved her. Melinda has a special group of girlfriends from the Class of ’70 whom she carried in her heart wherever she was, and she loved them dearly.
A celebration of life will be held on April 19, 2025, from 1pm from 5pm at Mansfield Liederkranz, located at 1212 Silver Ln Mansfield, OH 44903. Please join us for food, beverages, and sharing stories of how our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend impacted everyone by her presence.
Please direct any donations to the family who will honor Melinda by donating to those who are impacted by ALS.
We hope you will join us in celebrating her legacy. Click below or text Olivia at (260) 449-6388.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAlpQLSc00r3ueWXBXgqKy6aWAgcUA5JzXqMYBph7hsbqiuX YvxXOLg/viewform?usp=header