Obituaries

Julia A. “Julie” Melzak, age 74, of Sylvania, died October 31, 2024, at the Arbors of Sylvania. She was born April 17, 1950, in Toledo to the late Daniel and Cleo (Tuttle) Mathews. Julie graduated from St. Ursula Academy in 1968 and earned her bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in history from Ohio Dominican University in 1972. She married the love of her life Kenneth Melzak on June 21, 1975, and they spent more than 46 wonderful years together until Ken’s death on July 21, 2021.

Julie taught at St. Hedwig’s for 2-3 years and then substitute taught at St. Pat’s for nearly 20 years. In her free time, she kept busy baking, knitting, doing word searches and crossword puzzles, and reading, especially mystery and romance novels. She also loved animals of all kinds and enjoyed traveling, particularly to the beach or visits to New York City with her daughters. Julie adored the holidays and was known for decorating every room of her house according to the season. Her favorite was Christmas for which she began preparations in November. Animated and expressive, Julie had a unique ability to make people laugh. Her kind and caring personality offered an amazing motherly presence to her kids, guests in her home, and just about everyone she met. She was first and foremost dedicated to her husband and children and most recently her beloved grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memories are her children, Matt (Caitlyn) Melzak, Jen (Keevan) Hazel, Amanda (Gregg) Boeke, and Mike (Jenny) Melzak; grandchildren, Noah, Logan, Fox, Sam, Fawn, Charlie, Kenlyn, and Miles; and sister, Janet Caywood. Julie was also preceded in death by her brother, Ralph Mathews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024, in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave., Toledo, from 3:00 p.m. until the time of a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo, OH 43614. She will be laid to rest with her husband at Resurrection Cemetery.

Contributions in Julie’s name, in lieu of flowers, are suggested to the Toledo Area Humane Society, the American Cancer Society Melanoma Research Alliance, or the Melanoma Research Foundation.