Dr. Lawrence Melaik

Dr. Lawrence Louis Melaik, DDS, 77, of Peoria, IL passed away at 2:55 AM on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria, IL.

Dr. Melaik was born on October 30, 1938 in Eureka, IL to Dr. Louis George and Marcella (Whitnah) Melaik. Surviving are his wife, Patricia Anne Melaik of Peoria, IL, one brother, Robert (Connie) Melaik of Sparta, Michigan, one son, Vincent Adam Melaik of Peoria, IL (mother is Freda Melaik), three step-children: Gabrielle Pugliese of Rochester, NY, Jeremy Pugliese of Springfield, IL, and AF Captain Joshua (Jennifer) Pugliese of St. Louis, Mo.; eight grandchildren: Liliana Avery Pugliese of St. Louis, Mo., Payton, Paige, Lexi and Lindsay Ingemunson of Yorkville, IL, Owen and Brennan Woods of Yorkville, IL, and Ryan Sack of Peoria, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Gregory Melaik.

Dr. Melaik graduated from Eureka HS in 1956; attended Murray State College in Kentucky and graduated from the U. of I. School of Dentistry in 1963. After graduation, he joined the dental practice of his father, Dr. Louis George Melaik in Eureka becoming the third generation of dentists in the Melaik family. Dr. Larry practiced dentistry in Eureka for over 25 years. He then moved his dental office to Peoria where he practiced until his retirement in August, 2003.

Dr. Melaik was an avid golfer enjoying many trips with his golfing buddies all over the U.S. He also was a passionate Bradley basketball fan and was a season ticket holder for many years. In his retirement, he volunteered with the Proctor Hospital Escorts on a regular basis and also practiced his dentistry with the State of Illinois Sealant Program which provided free dental services to children in the Peoria school system.

Larry's family would like to especially thank Dr. John Shallat, Larry's primary care doctor and his wonderful and caring nurses at OSF Glen Park Place; Bobbie Brown, Katie, and Anna Saxon of Methodist Home Health Care Team; Dr. Schmidgall and Dr. Lagosky who assisted Larry at Proctor Hospital and the nurses, CNAs and aides at Lutheran Hillside Village – Alzheimer unit for their compassion and kindness to Larry during his stay. Thank you also to Larry's four nursing student caregivers who assisted him in October, November and December, 2015. Your compassion and many kindnesses will never be forgotten.

Cremation has been accorded. A Celebration of Life event will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 from 10am until noon at Mason Funeral Home in Germantown Hills. Memorial contributions can be made to a scholarship program for nursing students which will be set up at Illinois Central College and Bradley University in Dr. Melaik's memory. Notes of condolences may be sent using www.masonfuneralhomes.com.