Meliton Sanchez was born on July 18, 1925, to Juan & Rosario Sanchez in La Cienga, Sinaloa, Mexico. He was one of five siblings, Teresa, Ramon, Ventura & Pedro Sanchez.

Meliton attended schools in the Imperial Valley where he lived and worked until he was drafted into the US Army during WWII on July 20, 1944. He received several recognition's, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal Meliton survived four beach landings during the war. Meliton was honorably discharged as a Sergeant on July 23, 1946.

Meliton returned to Calexico, Ca after departing from the US Army returning to the work force. In 1951 he met Guadalupe Balbastro, after dating several years they later married.

To this union eight children were born, Anita, Leticia, Maria, Meliton Jr. Hector, Bibi, Bertha & Victor Sanchez.

He worked for various farming companies, John Norton Farms, Totochian Farms & High & Mighty Farms as a foreman and grower, he worked for the city of Blythe for a short time then later returned to farming, which was his passion. He was a very hard-working man, working seven days a week often. He retired after working for more than 50 years. He continued to grow his own garden of vegetables at home.

Meliton loved to travel during his younger years, and always took his family on many vacations. He was a very happy man with a beautiful smile. In his years he helped many people who crossed his path.

In the month of June 2020 Meliton and his daughters & son had the pleasure of meeting his older daughter Mary Alice Hernandez & her family. It was a very happy and emotional reunion.

Meliton was preceded in death by his parents, Juan & Rosario Sanchez, his siblings Teresa, Ramon, Ventura, Pedro Sanchez, his wife Guadalupe Sanchez, his sons Meliton Jr., Hector Sanchez, his grandson Gabriel Soria, granddaughter Virginia Guadalupe Sanchez, great granddaughter Ava Marie Sanchez Franco, great granddaughter Hannah Echard.

He is survived by his children, Mary Alice Hernandez (John), Anita Duenes (Dickie), Leticia Soria (Moises), Maria Soria, Guadalupe Bibi Rios (Raul), Bertha Ramos (David), Victor Sanchez. 24 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren 6 great- great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

We will all miss our dad, grandpa, great grandpa, great great grandpa, father-in- law, uncle and brother-in-law, friends to many that knew him and touched his life. Meliton passed away at Palo Verde Hospital on June 21, 2023

Meliton Sanchez was the last surviving WWII Veteran member of the VFW Post 2987 in the Valley. Thank you for your service. Until we meet again.

"Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away."

We would like to thank his doctor Silvia Herrera PA, Palo Verde Hospital, and Frye Chapel, for your great kindness to our dad and family.

Services for Meliton Sanchez will be on Wednesday July 12, 2023, viewing 6:00 PM Rosary 7:00 PM at Frye Chapel, Mass at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church on Thursday July 13, 2023, at 9:00 AM. Burial to follow at Palo Verde Cemetery.