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Joseph N. Melan, 102, of Janesville, WI passed away at Mercy Manor Transition Center on February 13, 2011. He was born on May 7, 1908, the son of Mr. & Mrs. N. G. Melan in Ain el Abaou, Lebanon. During World War I, his father was in the United States and his mother died. At the age of 12 in 1920, Joseph and his brother and sisters left Lebanon on a journey to France, then Canada, finally to the United States and Janesville where their father was waiting. Joseph sold the Janesville Gazette at the corner of Main and Milwaukee streets for many years. He graduated from Janesville High School. Joseph was an avid gardener who would give away most of the vegetables to family, friends and strangers. Mr. Melan served in the U. S. Army during World War II. Joseph and his brother, George opened a gift store, “The Oriental Shoppe” in 1926, which for 51 years sold imported handmade items. Joseph retired in 1977 when the store closed. Mr. Melan was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother, George (Rose), sister, Mabel, sister, Nora Makool, nephews, Gordon (Irine) Makool and Lloyd (Ann) Makool. He is survived by a nephew, Peter (Penny) Melan and many great nieces and great nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, February 21, 2011 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Janesville, with Father Robert Lebron officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity Episcopal Church. Memorials may be made in Joseph Melan’s name to the Church. The Melan family is being assisted by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home. www.henkeclarson.com.

Joseph N. Melan, 102, of Janesville, WI passed away at Mercy Manor Transition Center on February 13, 2011. He was born on May 7, 1908, the son of Mr. & Mrs. N. G. Melan in Ain el Abaou, Lebanon. During World War I, his father was in the United States and his mother died. At the age of 12 in 1920, Joseph and his brother and sisters left Lebanon on a journey to France, then Canada, finally to the United States and Janesville where their father was waiting. Joseph sold the Janesville Gazette at the corner of Main and Milwaukee streets for many years. He graduated from Janesville High School. Joseph was an avid gardener who would give away most of the vegetables to family, friends and strangers. Mr. Melan served in the U. S. Army during World War II. Joseph and his brother, George opened a gift store, “The Oriental Shoppe” in 1926, which for 51 years sold imported handmade items. Joseph retired in 1977 when the store closed. Mr. Melan was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother, George (Rose), sister, Mabel, sister, Nora Makool, nephews, Gordon (Irine) Makool and Lloyd (Ann) Makool. He is survived by a nephew, Peter (Penny) Melan and many great nieces and great nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, February 21, 2011 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Janesville, with Father Robert Lebron officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity Episcopal Church. Memorials may be made in Joseph Melan’s name to the Church. The Melan family is being assisted by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home. www.henkeclarson.com.