Leona M. (Ash) Mello

Leona Mae Mello (nee Ash), 88, of Middlefield, OH, passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, February 6th, 2026 at home while surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Kanawha County, WV on September 21st, 1937 to the late Claude C. and F. Marie (Cutlip) Ash. Leona later married her best friend and love of her life, William Mello, on September 21st, 1956.

Leona graduated from Monongah High School and attended Fairmont State School of Nursing. She was employed by several factories in the Middlefield area. She also worked at many stores and was employed for many years by Trumbull Memorial Hospital. Leona was an avid reader, and gardener and she was a devoted and generous friend and neighbor. Her greatest joy was time spent with her grandsons Christopher and Nicholas and her great granddaughters, Leona Monet, Olivia Rose and Julia Hazel.

Leona will be greatly missed by: her loving husband of 69 years, William; daughter, Diana (Robert) Tripi; son, Bill Mello; grandchildren, Christopher (Nicee) Tripi and Nicholas (Bekah) Tripi; great-grandchildren, Leona Monet Tripi, Olivia Rose Tripi, Julia Hazel Tripi; brother, Frank Ash; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Ash, Nancy Huss (Stanley), Linda Pontes and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by: her parents; brothers, Leon and wife, Hazel Ash, Ed Ash, Ken and wife, Carol Ash, Max and wife, JoAnn Ash; and sister-in-law, Carol Ash. 

Family and friends will be received from 5-7 PM, Thursday, February 12TH, 2026 at Best Funeral Home, 15809 Madison Rd., Middlefield, OH 44062. FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 10AM, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2026 AT THE FUNERAL HOME. Leona’s final resting place will be in Overlook Cemetery, Parkman, OH. 

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