Michael Wayne Melise Sr, 47, died Friday, July 31, 2009, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, after a brief illness.

Born August 7, 1961 in Raritan Township, NJ, he was a son of the late Daniel M. Sr and Arlene Eastman Melise.

Mikie was raised in the Bradley Gardens section of Bridgewater, NJ before moving to Phillipsburg, NJ in 1985. He was a skilled roofer, sider, and general contractor, who took pride in his craft. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved the outdoors. He loved baseball, football, basketball and stock car racing. He loved to watch all of "his kids" play sports and root them on. He loved creating haunted houses for the neighborhood kids on Halloween and playing Santa Claus for them at Christmas time. He enjoyed spending time with the handicapped and making a difference in their lives. He loved to help people and give to the needy, especially children. Mike will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife of nineteen years, the former Sandra Hoppock, Mike is survived by two sons, Frank "Spanky" Rustay and Michael Jr.; a daughter, Stacy; a brother Danny and his wife Dianne; a sister, Beverly Mulrooney and her husband Tom; father and mother-in-law, John and Joann Crouch; two sisters-in-law, Roxann Stuff and Gail Minorics and her husband Jimmy; four nephews, twelve nieces, four great-nephews and three great nieces.

He was pre-deceased by a step-father, Alvah Baker and two nieces.

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St, Phillipsburg. Services will begin at 7:30 p.m. The family will also celebrate Mike's life on his birthday Friday, August 7, 2009 with a picnic and baseball game at Walter's Park at 12:30 p.m. All Mikie's friends and family are invited.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests dontations, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be submitted by visiting www.noto-wynkoop.com.