Juan B. Melendez, 66, Plumber/Electrician

He was born on December 27, 1934 in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. Prior to moving to Lorain in 1993, he lived in Vineland, NJ, and Bronx, NY.

He graduated from Morris High School, Bronx, NY, in 1957. Following high school, he went to Ft. Benning University, Georgia for 1 year and then to Cumberland County College, Vineland, NJ.

He served his country in the US Army as Pvt. 2nd Class from 1951-1953 during which time he was awarded the national Defense Service Medal.

Juan worked as a plumber/electrician for 1 Cats Plumbing, Manhattan , NY for 6 years. Prior to that, he was a truck driver for Snow Poultry Company, Bronx, NY.

He was a member of Primera Iglesia Evangelical Hispana Discipulos de Cristo, Lorain, where he was a volunteer minister. He also worked in the Missionary filed, which took him to Haiti, Columbia, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Aruba, St. Thomas, St. Croix as well as many other locations. He was also a member of the Ecumenical Pastor Care Community from 1988-1992, disabled American Veterans from 1986-1992 and a PTA counselor at Anthony Rossi Elementary School, all in Vineland, NJ. He was well noted for his radio ministry program, Tiempo de Impacto di Vino, on station WREY in Vineland, NJ.

His other interests included golfing, fishing, and traveling.

He is survived by his wife, Mercedes (nee Diaz), of 42 years; 2 sons; Eliezer and Juan, Jr.., both of Orlando FL, daughters: Awilda Atiles of Virginia Beach, VA, Ruth Ortiz of Orlando, FL, Abigail Melendez, and Damaris Guzman, both of Lorain; 15 grandchildren,; biological mother: Juanita (nee Burgos) Melendez, of Lorain; 2 brothers: Thomas Melendez and Raul Gonzalez,
Both of Brooklyn, NY; and 3 sisters: Crucita Melendez, Lydia and Irma Gonzalez, all of Brooklyn, NY.

He is preceded in death by his parents Casmirio Millan in 1950, Josefina (nee Solero) Millan in 1993, and his biological father Cristino Melendez in 1955.

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 6, 2001 from 7-9 p.m. at Rock of Salvation Church, 513 Grape Street, Vineland, NJ where services will be held Saturday, April 7, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Albert Torres, Pastor of Assembly of God, Hammonton, NJ will officiate.

Burial will follow in Cumberland Co. Veterans Cemetery, Hopewell, NJ. Arrangements are being handled by the Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, 1024 E. Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ in conjunction with the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain.