MELGALVIS – Lilija Melgalvis a former long time resident of Grand Rapids died on March 22nd at the home of her son John in Poughkeepsie New York. She was 98 years old. Born June 11 1910 in Belava Latvia she was the daughter of the late Gustav and Jette Liedzkalnins Berzins. In 1931 she married Janis (John) Melgalvis. Mrs. Melgalvis was a massage therapist in Grand Rapids for many years. Surviving are her son John and his wife Astrida; a cousin Herta Berkolds of Belava Latvia and a cousin Vitolds Berkolds and his wife Mary of Chatham England. Mrs. Melgalvis was predeceased by her husband a daughter Laimite a sister Vilma Panovs and her brothers Evald and Arvid. A service for Mrs. Melgalvis will be held in Grand Rapids at the OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home 3980 Cascade Road S.E., on March 30th at with the Rev. Ilze Larsen of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.
