Melinda Lou Rast, 72 of 911 Low Gap Road in Princeton, WV died Sunday, February 23, 2014, at Cassel’s Board and Care in Princeton.

She was born on November 9, 1941 in Kansas City, MO to the late Morrell Edward Miller and Jan Mae (Mullins) Miller Rast and step father Ommer Odell Rast.

Melinda graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1959, Stephens College in 1961, University of Missouri in 1963, and received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Ohio State University in 1982.

She married Everette D. Rast on June 21, 1963 in Brunswick, TN. They lived in Worthington, OH for twenty years before moving to Princeton in 1987. Melinda worked for Ohio Presbyterian Homes, Glenwood Park Retirement Village and Princeton Community Hospital Dialysis Unit. She was an active member of the Princeton Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder and was very active in the Women’s Association. Melinda was on the Board of Directors and volunteered at Tender Mercies Food Pantry. She was also an active member of the National Association of Social Workers and served on their National Board of Directors. She loved flower gardening and knitting.

Survivors include her husband, Everette D. Rast of Princeton; one daughter, Holly Janine Rast (Deborah Ann Donson) of Columbus, OH; one brother, John Edward Miller; step sister, Beverly Rast Stott; nieces and nephews, Bruce Stott (Beverly), Kellous Stott (Peggy), Paul Stott (Trina), Roberta Stott, Kevin Rich, Mike Miller (Larque), Cathy Petty (Arthur), and Jackie Vega (Troy).

In keeping with Melinda’s wishes her body has been cremated. A memorial service will be conducted at the Princeton Presbyterian Church at 12:00 Noon, Wednesday, February 26, 2014 with Rev. Ed Pettus officiating. Interment service will be held in Brunswick, TN at a later date. Friends may call at the church from 11:00 AM until the service hour on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made in her memory to Princeton Presbyterian Church, 1809 W. Main St., Princeton, WV 24740 or Tender Mercies Food Pantry, PO Box 669, Princeton, WV 24740.