Chesterton Tribune

Service set for Porter Memorial CEO Art Malasto

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Arthur Malasto, the long-serving top administrator of Porter Memorial Hospital, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Horton VNA Hospice Center, Valparaiso. He was 86.

Born Sept. 11, 1924 in Berwind, Colo., he was the son of the late Jim and Catherine (nee Mauro) Malatesta. He was raised in Pueblo, Colo., and previously lived in Decator, Ill., before moving to Valparaiso in 1954. He earned a Business Administration Degree from Millikin University and received his Master of Science in Hospital Administration from Northwestern University, Chicago.

He was administrator of Porter Memorial, when it was a county owned hospital, from 1955 to 1990.

Art served in many community organizations including Porter County Community Foundation, Valparaiso Park Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, Popcorn Festival, United Way, Youth Service Bureau, Valparaiso High School Advisory Board, Ethics Committee, and Christmas in April. He was an Honorary Alumni of Valparaiso University, and was a Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the State of Indiana. He and his wife, Irene, co-chaired the Valplayso Planning and Construction Committee. He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, where he served on numerous committees. He was a member of the Valparaiso Knights of Columbus Council #738 4th Degree Fr. Sorin Assembly and was Catholic Layman of the Year. Art was also Past President of Rotary and became District Governor in 1995-96, Past President of the Indiana Hospital Association, Executive Board Member of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for 22 years, a six-year Regent for American College of Health Care Executives, a U.S. Army veteran and life member of American Legion Post #94.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Irene R. Malasto of Valparaiso; children, Judy (husband Bruce) Leetz of Valparaiso, Charles (wife Pat) Malasto of Valparaiso, Steve Malasto of Davenport, Iowa, Jim (Donna) Malasto of Amelia, Ohio, Linda (Bob) Sanders of Chesterton, Tom (Christi) Malasto of Indianapolis; 20 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5 from the Dykes Funeral Home, 2305 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso to St. Paul Catholic Church, 1855 W. Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso for an 11 a.m. funeral mass with Rev. Joseph Pawlowski officiating. Interment will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Valparaiso. Friends may call at the Dykes Funeral Home on Monday, April 4 from 2 to 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. wake service.

Memorials may be made to the Porter County Community Foundation, the Valparaiso Parks Foundation, VNA Hospice, or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by Dykes Funeral Home, Inc., 462-3125.

 

Posted 3/31/2011

 

 

 

 

 

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