Lana Filamana Melet Kalis of Fairpoint, Ohio, beloved Mother, Grams and Nonna, passed peacefully to be with the lord April 24, 2017 at the age of 92. Lana was born September 14, 1924 in Bellaire, Ohio to the late August and Laura Palombi Melet. They were Italian immigrants, and she instilled in her family a great pride in their Italian heritage.
Lana was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Church in Fairpoint, Ohio until its closing in January of 2015. Lana and dear friend Margie Yemich walked to morning mass daily for over 17 years until she was in her late 70s. She often said this helped her live a long life.
Lana lived through the Great Depression and World War II, and was a strong role model for her children and grandchildren. Over the years she worked as a switchboard operator, a hostess for the Holiday Inn and a sales associate for Sears. In her 70s, she started a new job with the Fairpoint Post Office, teaching her family once again that you are never too old to learn and experience new things.
Above all, Lana loved her family and was happiest when she was making homemade spaghetti, pizzelles and wine cookies for family gatherings. She had many friends, some of whom she had known since childhood, and enjoyed playing cards and bingo. She was an active member of St. Joseph’s Women’s Club participating in all its activities.
In addition to her parents, Lana was preceded in death by her husband Chester, her son Chet, sister Ida Tisko, brothers Henry, Albert, Joe and Pat Melet, brother-in-law Andrew “Kush” Kalis and sister and brother-in-law Helen and Vern Sallee.
She leaves behind her loving family, daughters Darlene (Gary) Pempek of Fairpoint, Ohio and Nanette (Robert) Kalis of Athens, Ohio, grandchildren Tiffany (Jeff) Pempek Rahl, Jenna (Brandon) Pempek Pittman, Jed (Marseille) Collins, Katie (JJ) Collins, Brenda (Jeff) Kalis, and Jillian and Alexandra Kalis, great-grandchildren Edison and Theodore Rahl, and Ignatius and Leda Markham Collins. Her beautiful sister Josephine “Gena” Pubal, many special nieces and nephews and her faithful little companion, Bello.
Lana truly lived her life in the kindest way and memories of her will forever be a reminder that kindness is love in action. So in lieu of memorial contributions, the family would request that all those who knew her loving heart will celebrate her life by performing a random act of kindness for a stranger (or animal), because in the end, only kindness matters.
Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Clairsville with Fr. Thomas Chillog as celebrant. Final arrangements at the conveience of the family.
Arrangements by Beck-Altmeyer Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Clairsville.
Share your thoughts and memories of Lana with her family at www.beckaltmeyer.com
So sorry for your loss your mom was a great lady she was one of my favorite client’s I had while I was working home health. My thoughts and prayers goes out to whole family
I remember Lana as a neighbor and a good friend me being a teenager.Chester was my cousin.There where times I baby sat for there children.I will miss them all.Have fond memories of her family. RIP
Lana was a loving and gracious lady. My memories revolve around her children , especially Chet. Lana gave the best birthday party for her son when we were about 6 or 7. I thought she was amazing, a truly loving mom. She always had a smile for sharing and kind words that endeared her to you. Happy memories will always come to mind when your mother, grandmother’s name is spoken. God Bless her family.
Lana was always a dear and gracious woman. I remember a birthday party for Chet, we were probably 6 , I thought she was wonderful, such a kind and loving mom, for it was such a special birthday for her eldest. She always had a smile to share. Kind words to say, and a beautiful life that she lived as a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Many from Fairpoint welcomed her to God’d kingdom.
So very sorry to hear of the passing of your Grandma Jill, Allie & Branda! She was a lovely woman!!! You could always tell how much she loved you all!!! RIP Grandma
I REMEMBER HER AS ONE OF THE NICEST LADY, WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP , ALL THE MELET FAMILY WAS ALWAYS KIND . SO SORRY DAR AN NA .SHE IS DEFINITELY IN HEAVEN.
Dear family of Lana, we are sincerely sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother, grandmother. She was beautiful inside and out. Always kind to us. She was extremely strong and able to make her journey in life with grace and a beautiful smile. She leaves a lasting memory.
The Dierkes and Hawthorne families will miss her beautiful smile. It was a true pleasure to call her our friend. May God bless you always!
Such a kind and loving soul! It’s because of my visits with Lana on my paper route days that many of her fellow Fairpoint neighbors got their afternoon Times Leader a little late. Always had a smile on her face! Although I’ve not returned to the valley much, she always remembers us! Rest in peace dear Lana. Prayers and sympathy to your family.
Our deepest sympathies to the family. Lana was always a friendly and loving cousin. We will miss her .