Sylvia J. Milbach 79, of Independence, Iowa and formerly of the Walker, Iowa area died Friday morning, November 30, 2012, at the ABCM Rehab Center-West Campus in Independence, Iowa.

Sylvia was born on October 22, 1933, in Waterloo, Iowa the daughter of Benjamin S. and Vyrna M. (Lynch) Cashner. She moved with her family to Rowley, Iowa area where she graduated from the Rowley High School in 1951. Following graduation she attended the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. On August 3, 1957 she was united in marriage to James J. Milbach in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Walker, Iowa. The couple farmed in the Walker area, and Sylvia returned to college at and received her Bachelors’ of Education degree from Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She taught school in the Walker Schools for five years then became employed with MCI, and later with APAC.

She is survived by her husband, James Milbach, Independence, Iowa four children; Keith (Deborah) Milbach, Independence, Iowa, Gary Milbach, Austin, Texas, Elaine (Pat) Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Lisa (Joe) Kremer, Independence, Iowa, fourteen grandchildren, two sisters; Anita Webb, Cedar Rapids, IA., Susan Knott, Independence, IA., and a brother Bob Cashner, Winthrop, IA.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, a brother; Benjamin Cashner

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, December 3, 2012 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Independence, Iowa with Rev. Don Plamondon officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Walker, Iowa. Friends may call from 3 to 7 P.M. Sunday and from 8 A.M. till 10 A.M. Monday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, Iowa. A Rosary will be recited at 3 P.M. Sunday, and a parish vigil service will be held at 6 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.