Bauldoff

Melvin J. Bauldoff, 96, formerly of Meridian and most recently the Lowrie House in Butler, passed away Friday at the VNA Inpatient Hospice.

He was born on April 29, 1915, in Fenelton, the son of the late Harry C. and Gertrude Thompson Bauldoff.

Melvin married the love of his life, Frieda Michael Bauldoff, on May 29, 1942, at the St. John Roman Catholic Church in Coylesville, Pa. One month later he was the first person to be drafted into the U.S. Army from the shell shop in Butler. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army, was a member of the Amphibious Engineers and served in New Guinea and the Philippines. He received many medals during the war including the Sharpshooter Award. He was discharged in December 1945.

Melvin and his wife moved to Daytona Beach, Fla., and eventually became co-owner of Mac's Trailer Park in Holly Hill, Fla.

The family returned to the Butler area in 1951. He graduated from Allegheny Technical Institute, Pittsburgh. Upon graduation, he began working as a TV repairman for Stewart's Furniture in Zelienople. In May 1960, he and his partner, Denny Dambaugh, opened Mel-Den TV and Appliance in Zelienople. He retired as president of the company in 1980.

Once retired, he entered a second career as a car salesman at Chuck Smith Ford in Zelienople. He spent many years working in what he considered his ideal job. Later he concentrated on his gardening skills and became the rhubarb supplier for some local markets.

Melvin was a member of the St Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Meridian. He served on the St. Conrad Church Council during the time that the rectory and second church were built in Meridian. He also was a past church usher and a member of the Men's Club.

Melvin is survived by four daughters, Corita Bauldoff of Brandywine Village, Jilana (Joe) Alfonso of Wellington, Fla., Dr. Gerene Bauldoff of Columbus, Ohio, and Michelle (Frank) Ciliberto of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; two grandchildren, Alyse Alfonso, a student of Florida State University, and James Alfonso, a student at the University of Florida; three stepgrandchildren, Gina (Shannon) Forsythe of Mechanicsburg, Pa., Frank Joseph (Brenda) Ciliberto of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. and Annjanette (Ryan) Stephenson of Moscow, Pa.; and three great-grandchildren, Ella and Natalie Forysthe and Ava Ciliberto. He also is survived by a sister, Madalyne (Russell) Wellner of Butler, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frieda Michael Bauldoff, who passed away on Aug. 14, 2008; sisters, Margaret (Lynn) Cypher, Ethel (Peter) McCLafferty, Grace (Paul) Coyle, Agnes (Floyd) Wellner and Doris (Edward) Weber; and one brother, Richard Bauldoff.

<B>BAULDOFF</B> — Friends of Melvin J. Bauldoff, who passed away Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, will be received at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road, Meridian. The Rev. George Palick will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Devotion Mausoleum at Butler County Memorial Park.The Bereavement Committee of the St. Fidelis Parish will meet at 3 p.m. Monday at the funeral home for a Parish Vigil Service.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.