Vera A. Melniczenko

POTTSVILLE- Vera A. Melniczenko, 69, of Pottsville, passed away Sunday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown. Born in Pottsville on October 26, 1943, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Dora Evans Welikonich. Vera was a 1961 graduate of Pottsville High School. Vera retired from JDM, Hamburg, eight years ago and then worked for the Schuylkill County Election Bureau for several years as a file clerk. Vera was a member of the Class of 1961 Reunion Committee which was very close to her heart. She also volunteered her time at the Schuylkill County Election Bureau as an Inspector of elections. She was an avid reader and loved spending time with family and friends. In addition to her parents, Vera was preceded in death by her infant brother, Michael Welikonich and her sister Carol Welikonich. Vera is survived by her daughter, Paula, son-in-law, Ken and their children, Alyssa and Jenna Porter, all of Orwigsburg; her son Robert C. Kalbach, of Pottsville, and his son, Jacob Kalbachy; her three sisters, Lola, wife of Richard 'Smitty' Smith, of Palo Alto, Mary,wife of John Thomas, of Orwigsburg and Pia, wife of Jim Murphy, of Orwigsburg; Her brother, Peter Welikonich of Pottsville. She is also survived by 8 nieces and nephews; several grand-nieces and nephews; aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous friends. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday morning, June 15th, at 10:00 A.M. at Schlitzer-Allen-Pugh Funeral Home, Inc., Garfield Square, 6th & West Market Streets, Pottsville, PA 17901. Reverend Harold L. Hand will officiate the services. Family and friends may call on Saturday morning from 8:00A.M. until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will immediately follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Saint Clair. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to American Heart Association, American Heart Association, 5455 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43214.