Joseph P. Meleski

Joseph Paul Meleski, 85, of Slatington, Washington Township, Lehigh County, passed away Monday, September 28, 2026, at Liza’s House, Danielsville. He was the loving husband of Elaine Jean (Babyak) Meleski, with whom he celebrated 62 years of marriage.  Born in Slatington, PA where he resided for over 80 years. He was the son of the late Joseph J. Meleski and Anne Lucy (Zajac) Meleski.

He graduated from Slatington High School Class of 1958 where upon he entered the United States Navy honorably serving four years on board the USS Yosemite AD-19, Flagship of Destroyer Force North Atlantic, obtaining the rank of Electrician’s Mate Second Class (E-5).  He served on board during the Cuban Missile Crises and the Vietnam War.

He was employed five years with the McCord Corporation at the former L. F. Grammes Co., Allentown and the J. H. Winn Corporation in Old Forge, PA, as assistant Plant Manager, and Industrial Engineer.  He attended Kings College and Penn State University Extension in Allentown.  Joe worked for the John E. Morgan Knitting Mills, Hometown, PA as a Plant Engineer, overseeing operations at the Hometown, Tower City, Williamstown, Phoenixville, and Gilbertsville locations for ten years.  Afterward, working as a Manager of the Industrial Engineering Department at the former Keystone Lamp Corporation in Slatington until the company closed.  He was then employed as Production Supervisor then became Facility Engineer at the HYDAC Corporation in Bethlehem for 16 years.

Joe served sixteen years on the Zoning Hearing Board of Washington Township, Lehigh County and was a member and Chairman of the Sewer and Water Authority.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 16, Slatington, a Charter Member of the Northern Lehigh Historical Society serving as Secretary, a lifetime member of the Slatington Skeet Club.  He was a lifelong member of the Assumption BVM Catholic Church and a member of its Holy Name Society serving as past President and past Treasurer.

Joe enjoyed his Church, Sunday breakfasts/Saturday night dinners with his church friends, relaxing at his home, social activities, was an avid reader, enjoyed the theatre, casinos, searching for treasures with his metal detector, bike riding, cruising, and vacationing in places like Paris, France, London, the Mediterranean, Caribbean, New Orleans, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Hollywood, Savannah, Alaska, Germany, Newport, R.I., Nashville and many other beautiful sights.

A gentle man of refinement, generosity, integrity, patience, having a dry sense of humor and enjoyment of others. Mr. Meleski is survived by the love of his life, his devoted, loving wife Elaine, beautiful daughter Vanessa, brother Michael, brother-in-law/sister-in-law John and Kathryn (Kay) Babyak, 9 nieces and nephews and 14 great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by daughter Erica Ann, parents Joe and Anne Meleski, sisters-in-laws/brothers-in-law, Mary Louise (Babyak) and Frank Wingert and Rose Ann (Babyak) and Richard L. Wentz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12noon on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Assumption BVM Catholic Church, 649 W. Washington Street. Family and friends may pay their respects from 11am to 12pm at the church.  Interment with military honors to follow mass at Towamensing Cemetery, 3rd St, Palmerton.   In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe’s name can be made to the church Memorial Fund. Harding Funeral Home, of Slatington is honored to handle Joseph’s arrangements.