Anthony L. "Tony" Melgoza, Sr.

OTTAWA – Anthony L. “Tony” Melgoza, Sr., age 75, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center .

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, October 31, 2014, at St. Columba Catholic Church with Father Corey Krengiel celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. Friday morning at Gladfelter Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Anthony, Kenneth, Gabriel and Nicholas Melgoza, Steve Lahey, and Trent DeMoss. Honorary pallbearers will be Rich Gaughan, Bobby Guerrero, Henry Moreno, Johnny and Ricky Torres, and Bob Wiesbrook.

Tony was born April 10, 1939 in Ottawa, the son of Louis V. and Angela (Torres) Melgoza. He is survived by his children, Wendy (Steve) Lahey of La Salle, TX, Anthony L. (Renee) Melgoza, Jr., Kenneth (Pauline) Melgoza, and Theresa Rey (Stanley Johnson) Melgoza, all of Ottawa; his sisters, Mary Theresa Melgoza, Vivian (Al) Donovan, and Anita Stevens, all of Ottawa; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and his longtime companion, Louise Manz of Ottawa. He was preceded in death by his parents, and ex-wife, Ramona (Larson) Melgoza.

Tony had worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad in his earlier years. He was a retired maintenance worker for Libbey-Owens-Ford. He was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church as well as the Ottawa Moose Lodge. In his leisure, Tony enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, softball, and football. Tony also had a passion for listening to his music. Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.