Monico Melendez

Monico Anastacio (Nacho) Melendez, age 76, of Humboldt, Kansas, passed away December 6, 2024, at his home. Nacho was born May 4, 1948, in CD Jimenez, Chihuahua, Mexico, to Mauro Melendez and Cruz (Villa) Melendez.

Nacho attended school in Mexico. He and Maria Conception (Connie) Borjas were married May 18, 1973, in Chanute, Kansas.

Nacho worked for IMP Boats, Jerry L. Phillips Oil & Gas, Berg/Midland Manufacturing, and Haldex Brake, retiring from Haldex Brake after 30 years of service. He operated Estrellita Mexican Restaurant, which included a Mexican food truck called "The Nacho Express." Nacho was known for his mechanical abilities; working on cars, air conditioners, and his specialty was working on transmissions. He was a master at many of his jobs, including the use of chemistry in his daily job as a plating technician at Midland/Haldex Brake.

Nacho liked to travel. He enjoyed going to Mexico to see his family and to Branson, provided he could go to Starvin' Marvins. He liked watching telenovelas, Mexican news, boxing, futbol, Gunsmoke, and old westerns. Nacho enjoyed drinking coffee. He liked to be busy working. Nacho loved being with his grandchildren. He was always there to help anyone who needed something. Nacho liked to greet and visit with his customers at the restaurant.

Nacho came to the United States as a teenager, where he learned to speak and write English on his own. He came with a dream for a better life, and with absolutely nothing. He never asked for anything and he earned everything he had from hard work. Nacho instilled that work ethic in his children and grandchildren.

Nacho was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maria Conception (Connie) Melendez; and sisters, Celia (Sally) Coronado, Pilar Tarango.

Nacho is survived by his children, Monica (Israel Moran) Melendez, Gary (Kourtney) Melendez, Beto (Courtney) Melendez, Sylvia (P.J.) Schomaker; grandchildren, Andres, Alexandra (Reid Barnett), Serena, Gabe, Elizabeth, Victoria, Brock, Sofia; great-grandson, Xavier; brother-in-law, Tim (Lisa) Borjas; his loving pet, P-Nut; and numerous nieces, nephews, other loved ones, and many friends.

A visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024, in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas. A private family inurnment will be at a later date in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Chanute, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to St. Luke's Kidney Transplant Program, and may be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.