Shockey Roots

Gladys Marie Peppel Melnick died December 20, 2014, following a lengthy illness. She was 90 years old.
Gladys was born in East Palestine, Ohio, January 8, 1924, the daughter of the late Hosea and Zelda (Keller) Peppel. She attended Columbiana High School, and in 1947 earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Dana School of Music, Youngstown College. Three years later she graduated from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, IL with a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance.
In 1951 she married the late Arseny A. Melnick of Youngstown, an attorney with the law firm Melnick and Melnick. She taught private piano for many years, and also served as an adjunct professor of music at Dana School of Music. Gladys played organ for over 60 years at various churches in both Columbiana and Youngstown, with more than 50 of those years spent as the organist of Good Hope Lutheran Church, Boardman, where she was a member. In 2011 the church honored her for over 50 years of dedicated service. Even at age 90 she continued to play organ at the Christ UM Church in Rockwood, PA as her health permitted.
Gladys was a life member of Sigma Alpha Iota, National Music Fraternity, and of the Monday Musical Board. She was also a member of the Fine and Performing Arts Alumni Chapter, YSU, the Reserve Officers Association Ladies (ROAL), and for many years was a member of the Gideons and the Good Hope Church Priscilla Circle. She also enjoyed doing needlepoint and cross stitch, for which she won a number of ribbons at the Canfield Fair.
In addition to her parents and husband, Gladys was preceded in death by her two sisters, Lois Scullion Justice and Arlene Thomas, and more recently, her son, Attorney Robert R. Melnick, who was killed in a car accident on the Ohio Turnpike on October 19th, 2014.
Gladys loved her God, family and music, and was once quoted as saying “Music is my life.” She sought to touch others spiritually with her music, and of playing the organ, she once said, “It fills a need in my heart.” But more than that, she sought to honor God as she expressed her faith in a living God and His promise of salvation and eternal life to all who will accept Him into their hearts.
In her adult years Gladys had numerous extensive medical issues, but time and again her will to live and her desire to return to playing the organ for church helped her adopt the motto “never give up.” Her indomitable spirit was an inspiration to many.
Gladys continued to be active until this past May, when a number of complications set-in following surgery. The family wishes to thank her many caregivers at Vibra Hospital of Boardman and Northside Medical Center, and especially those who cared for her these last months at Circle of Care in Salem where she was when she died peacefully in her sleep. The family also wishes to thank the many visitors who so faithfully came to see her.
Gladys leaves two children, a son Arseny James Melnick and his wife Karen of Fredericksburg, VA, and a daughter, Anne M. Phipps and her husband John of Rockwood, PA. She is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Diana Melnick of Salem. In addition, she was the proud grandmother of 12, Dave (Kim), Joshua, Joel, Isaac, Julie, Melissa and Emma Melnick, Elisa (Josh) Wassum, Kayt (Todd) Pritts, Ben (Rachael) Phipps, and Becca Phipps. Gladys had one great-granddaughter, Lena Rose Wassum, and many very dedicated nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gladys’ favorite Bible verse was Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Source: The Becker Funeral Homes Dec 2014