CLAUDIA K. (MEIER) FORTINI (nee MELTON), age 61, of Chesterton, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at Porter Hospital, Valparaiso Campus. Claudia was a lifelong Northwest Indiana resident and a graduate of Portage High School in 1968. She was a former Teacher's Assistant at Myers Elementary School in Portage and teller at Bank One in Chesterton. Claudia was also formerly employed at Dr. Chhabra's office.
She is survived by her husband, Russell Fortini, daughter, Jessica (Matt) Meier-Tidwell of Michigan City, 7 grandchildren: Logan, Elizabeth, Drew, Ryan, Nick, Nathan and Emily, brother, Roger Melton of Portage, sister, Donna (David) McCall of Reynoldsburg, OH, mother-in-law, Theresa Meier of Portage and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her 1st husband, Marvin P. Meier and parents, Jimmie P. & Helen Melton.
Mass of Christian Burial for Claudia will be celebrated Monday, June 20, 2011 at 10:00 am at Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church, 2949 Willowcreek Rd., Portage, with Rev. Steve Kosinski officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso. She will be taken to Church Monday morning at 9 am. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-8 pm with a prayer service at 2:30 pm at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Avenue, Portage, 219-762-3013 or online at www.ReesFuneralHomes.com.