Celia Melendez Coronado, 72, Humboldt, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 at her daughter’s home.

Celia, “La Guera” in Mexico and “Sally” in Kansas, was born on Oct. 21, 1939 in Jimenez, Chihuahua Mexico to Mauro Melendez Leyva and Cruz Villa de Melendez. She married Cleto D. Coronado on April 30, 1960 and they made their home in Humboldt by May of the same year and enjoyed 51 years of marriage.

Together they opened Coronado’s Mexican Restaurant in Iola in October of 1968, where she worked until her illness made her stop in December of 2010. She deeply loved all her entire family, making trips back to see her Mexico family as often as she could. She considered all her customers and employees part of her family as well, and thoroughly enjoyed serving her friends.

She was a member of Reachout Christian Center and Faith Assembly of God.

Survivors include her three children, Gracie Newman and husband, Rusty, Humboldt, Cleto Coronado, Jr. and wife, Kenyan, Iola, and Demetrio Phillip Coronado, Humboldt; one brother, Monico Anastacio “Nacho” Melendez and wife, Connie, Humboldt; one sister, Maria Pilar “La Negra” Melendez de Tarango of Jimenez

The joys of her life were her grandchildren and all of her extended family members: Grandchildren include Jaime and wife, Jessi, Tessa, Chris, Roni, Caleb, Isiah, Luke, Jayce, Molly, Rustin, Kaleb, Sarah and two great-grandsons Ryker and Liam; nieces and nephews, Monica, Guerri, Beto, Sylvia, Celia, Lalo, Lupe, Cruz Miriam, Mauro, and Diana Lorena; great-nieces and nephews, Andres, Serena, Gabe, Alexandra, Victoria and Lulu

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and many beloved aunts, uncles, and beloved customers.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 1 at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. A funeral service will follow the visitation beginning at 7 p.m. with Rusty Newman officiating.

Inurnment will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Humboldt, at a later date

Memorials are suggested to Transcare of Kansas, LLC or Allen County Home Health

Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com