Neftali "Tali" Melendez

Neftali “Tali” Melendez (nee Rivas), age 86, of Lorain, passed away Friday, December 29, 2023, at Amherst Manor following a lengthy illness.

Born September 30, 1937, in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, she has lived in Lorain since 1953.

Tali retired in 1993 from Angelica’s Health Care after 11 years there.  Before this, she worked at Lorain Towel Supply.  She enjoyed arts, crafts, and gardening.

Surviving are her children, Wilfredo M. Melendez Jr., Aida (Jeffrey) Ceh, Vilma (Frankie) Almodovar, and Eric (Paula) Melendez; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Antonio Rivas, and Jose Benito Rivas; sister, Eva Maldonado.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Wilfredo M. Melendez in 2017; parents, Antonio and Maria (nee Ortiz) Rivas; daughter, Judy Caruso, brothers, Jose Alberto Rivas, Hector Benito Rivas and Ismaiel Rivas; sisters, Elisa Rivas, Lucy Melendez, Irma Rivas Avilas, Idali Saez; great-granddaughter, Gianna.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m. in the Dovin Funeral and Cremation Specialists, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain.  Rev. Craig Hovanec will officiate.  Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.