Elsie Melissa, 97, a resident of Mt. Prospect since 1968, expired Tuesday night at Holy Family Health Center in Des Plaines. The daughter of John and Johanna Telban, she was born in Moon Run, PA on October 19, 1903. In 1905 the family moved to Iselin, PA. On February 7, 1921 Elsie married Charles Melissa and they had four children, Charles, Shirley, Robert and Sister Gertrude, a member of the Pittsburgh Sisters of Mercy. During World War II Elsie was employed at the Federal Laboratories in Tunnelton, PA producing munitions for the armed forces. In November of 1951, following the death of her husband Charles, she moved to Chicago to join her children, her parents, and her sister. She was employed at General Telephone & Electronics and retired in October of 1968. Following the death of her parents and sister, Elsie moved to Mt. Prospect and joined the parish of St. Raymond dePenefort with her children. Always remaining active, in her late 80’s she enrolled in refresher courses in arts and crafts at Mt. Prospect High School. She utilized her artistic talents to crochet and knit many items, which she contributed to the Sisters of Mercy and the proceeds from the sale of these items were used to care for the elderly sisters in their infirmary. She was preceded in death by three infant daughters; her parents; a brother John; and Sister Mathilda. Elsie is survived by her four children, Charles, Shirley, Robert and Sister Gertrude; her granddaughters, Valerie (John) Soltysiak, Nancy (Todd) Gassen; and two great-granddaughters, Susan Soltysiak and Kaylee Gassen. Elsie was a member of St. Stephen Altar and Rosary Society, and Slovenian Women Union Branch 2. Funeral Services Saturday, 10 a.m. from Zefran Funeral Home, 1941 W. Cermak Rd., to St. Stephen Church. Mass 10:30 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation Friday, 3 to 9 p.m. Please omit flowers, Masses appreciated. 773-847-6688
![Four years into cannabis legalization in Illinois, celebrations of the April 20 informal weed holiday known as 420 are getting bigger and more widespread. Named for the time of day a group of friends met to get high, 420 has become a chance for marijuana users to publicly share a previously illegal drug and the counter-cultural atmosphere surrounding it. The main event in downtown Chicago likely will be the second annual 420 Sesh Fest, at Green Rose Dispensary. The party will include live music, a magic show, carnival games, food trucks, pop ups, and product discounts. It also will feature Grammy-nominated […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ctc-l-Illinois-marijuana_175925141.jpg?w=546 "Four years into cannabis legalization in Illinois, celebrations of the April 20 informal weed holiday known as 420 are getting bigger and more widespread. Named for the time of day a group of friends met to get high, 420 has become a chance for marijuana users to publicly share a previously illegal drug and the counter-cultural atmosphere surrounding it. The main event in downtown Chicago likely will be the second annual 420 Sesh Fest, at Green Rose Dispensary. The party will include live music, a magic show, carnival games, food trucks, pop ups, and product discounts. It also will feature Grammy-nominated […]")