Charles L. Melanko

Because years ago he accepted by faith God's gift of eternal life made available to all by Jesus' death on the cross, Charles L. ("Chuck" "Sonny") Melanko, 75, is now enjoying the eternal Presence of God the Father and His Son, Jesus, who has wiped all tears of sorrow from his eyes, and he is right now receiving his heavenly rewards in the home the Lord prepared for him! (Revelation 21:3-4, 22:12, John 14:2-3). Chuck went to be with the Lord on Sunday afternoon (July 16, 2017) during a brief stay at Cambridge Care and Rehab Center in the presence of his wife, Jean Melanko, whom he married on November 27, 1986, in Malvern, Ohio, by United Methodist pastor Gerry Carl on Thanksgiving Day, which was also the 50th wedding anniversary of Jean's parents, the late James and Wanda Blair. Chuck was born November 4, 1941, in Bellaire, Ohio, to Charles and Mildred Melanko, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Jean;, his sister, Judy Driscoll; his brother, Attorney Richard (Pam) Melanko; his daughter, Nicolle (Greg) Merkel of Lima, Ohio; and son, Justin D. (Heather A. Yerian) Greer of Cambridge (as well as his beloved dog Hadassah, and cat Fluffy!) His seven grandchildren, Skylar, John, and Merri Merkel, and Logan, Blake, Chloe and Maddie Greer, added much happiness to his life. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Earning a Tool Engineering Bachelor's Degree from Allied Technical Institute, Chuck spent some years working out of Chicago and then moved to Lima, Ohio where he became involved in the furniture business. In 1974, Chuck patented a "Video Switcher" that made it possible for any closed circuit TV to receive video from any camera, where prior to his invention, each TV had to be dedicated to a single camera. After a brief stay in Shadyside, he married Jean, moved to Cambridge, and became a furniture manufacturer's representative for 25 years. During that time, he also joined partnership with Dick Schmitt of Schmitt's Furntiure, later buying Dick's shares of the business, (dba Byesville Furniture & Carpet), and invited Evelyn Spring to join him as part owner and manager while he remained on the road. When Evelyn retired five years ago, he bought her shares, left his road salesman position, and worked full-time at Byesville Furniture. His son, Justin, also joined the business, managing it much of the time since Chuck was first diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic papillary kidney cancer on Halloween, 2014. Over the last 20 years, God brought Chuck through two near death heart attacks, stents implanted to his kidney, diabetes and bladder cancer. Since his kidney cancer diagnosis almost three years ago, he has had hernia surgery, blood clots in his leg that moved to his lungs, a cerebellum stroke that caused no noticeable harm and atrial fib. Through God's touch and compassion, Chuck's frequent healing amazed all who knew of his endurance through such difficulties! In spite of all those health issues, by God's grace, Chuck enjoyed a relatively pain free life, was a serious jogger for many years, and made numerous trips to Cancun, Mexico, once to Europe, and once to visit a former exchange student, Gadi Louzon, in Israel! He was also an excellent cook and an avid golfer. He has been the treasurer for S.A.L.T. Factory, Inc. teen center (founded by Jean's father, Jim Blair) since its inception 25 years ago and actively attended Calvary Baptist Church until late. Calling hours at Bundy Law Funeral Home will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, with funeral service officiated by Pastor Dennis Rost of Calvary Baptist Church at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 21, also at Bundy-Law Funeral Home. Burial will be at Northwood Cemetery, Cambridge with dinner following at Calvary Baptist Church in Byesville. To extend Chuck's love for area teens, memorial contributions to S.A.L.T. Factory, Inc. would be appreciated.

Charles L. Melanko

November 4, 1941 - July 16, 2017