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.