Melvin “Mel” Oneto passed away on August 14, 2011 at his home in Elk Grove at the age of 77. He was born to Giovanni & Mary Oneto in Stockton on February 27, 1934. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lena Oneto of Elk Grove, his children Ron (Lisa) Oneto of Elk Grove, Lorene (Gary) Euerle of Loomis & Ken (Florrie) Oneto of Elk Grove, his grandchildren, Ryan & Taralyn Oneto, Duane & Scott Euerle and Erica & Evan Oneto, his great grandchildren, Bradley, Slater and Grayson. He is the brother of Nancy (Harold) Brooks of Elk Grove and the late John Oneto.
Mel & Lena moved to Elk Grove in 1967 and farmed close to 2000 acres of hay, alfalfa, cherries, corn, tomatoes and other row crops for many years in the Elk Grove area. He was extremely active in the Elk Grove area.
In 1984 he was named Elk Grove Citizen of the Year. In 1991 Elk Grove CSD named ONETO PARK in honor of Mel and Len’s contributions. He joined the Elk Grove Lions Club in 1975 where he served as President. He also served as a Regional Chair and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship in the Club. He was elected District Governor of Lions District 4C5 in 2000-2001.
He served as President of the Senior Center, and the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce as well. He served on the Sacramento County Fair Board. His other memberships included the Chamber of Commerce Ag Lunch committee, Western Festival, Western Growers Assn, Elk Grove Grange, Elk Grove Historical Society, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and many other organizations.
Friends are welcome for Visitation Wednesday, 8/17 from 4 – 8PM and Thursday, 8/18 from 2 – 5:30PM in the East Lawn Elk Grove Mortuary, 9189 E. Stockton Blvd, Elk Grove, CA 95624 (916) 732-2031. The Rosary will be recited on Thursday at 7PM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 10AM both in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 9961 Elk Grove-Florin Rd, Elk Grove, CA 95624. Entombment will follow in East Lawn Elk Grove Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorials are suggested to the Melvin & Leno Oneto Scholarship c/a Elk Grove Community Fund, P. O. Box 2021, Elk Grove, Ca 95759