John Melchiori, age
86, passed away on Monday, September 30, 2019, in Englewood Florida.
He is survived by
his wife of 67 years Sharon (Hale); children, Wendy Marciniak (Marty), of
Chesterton, IN; Mark Melchiori (Lori) of Saukville, WI; grandchildren Hayley
Dwyer (Justin) of Porter, IN; and John Marciniak (Jordan) and
great-granddaughter Landon Marciniak of Chicago, IL.
John is also
survived by sisters-in-law Helen Melchiori, Joan Arnold (Gene) and Judy
(David) Hernandez, brothers-in-law Alphonse Iannessi, and Richard Hale
(Virginia) and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded
in death by an infant son, parents, Dominic and Domenica Melchiori; sisters,
Pauline Ziller, Rina Gambone, Lillian Swift and Anne Iannessi; and brothers
Reno Grivetti and Arnold Melchiori.
John was born on
June 21, 1933, in East Chicago, IN and lived most of his life in Chesterton
Indiana until retiring and moving to Florida. John and Sharon were married
in 1953 in Gary, IN. John’s career began at Inland Steel, and continued at
Midwest Steel. When he left the steel industry he became an independent
insurance agent. John was president of the Hudson Company Insurance Agency,
partnering with his friend Donald Oberholzer. He and Don also owned a
Century 21 Real Estate franchise in Valparaiso, IN. John was very involved
in the Chesterton community, serving on the Town Board for many years. John
was a Precinct Committeeman, and a past president of the Chesterton-Porter
Rotary Club and during his service to Rotary was also a recipient of the Ed
Pearson Service Award. John had also been a member of the Chesterton Moose
Lodge, the Chesterton Lions Club, and served on the council of the
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC). He was a member
of St. John’s United Church in Chesterton for many years where he served as
an Elder. In Florida, John became a member of Community Presbyterian Church.
John was also an accomplished musician, playing the clarinet and saxophone
in his brother Reno’s big band orchestra in his younger days. Cooking was
also a passion for John, and he loved cooking for his family and friends.
A memorial service
for John will be held at St. John’s United Church, 225 W. Lincoln Ave.,
Chesterton, IN, on Thursday, October 24, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Aaron
Ban officiating. Interment of ashes following the service at Chapel Lawn
Cemetery, Schererville, IN.
Friends may meet
with the family on Wednesday, October 23, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at St. John’s
United Church and Thursday, beginning at 10 a.m. until time of service. A
memorial service in Florida will take place in November.
Memorials may be
sent to Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Boulevard,
Sarasota, FL, 34238; St. John’s United Church, 225 W. Lincoln Ave.,
Chesterton, IN, 46304; or Community Presbyterian Church, 405 S. McCall Rd.,
Englewood, FL, 34223.