Adele Massanelli

Adele Massanelli, at the age of 93, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro, AR.

Born August 22, 1915, in Pine Bluff to the late Primo and Mary Ruggeri, she was a devout Catholic and a member of Blessed Sacrament Church for 71 years. She was married to the late Mike Robert Massanelli, Sr. of Pine Bluff. They moved to Jonesboro in 1938 where Mike, Sr. was transferred with Liberty Cash Grocery as a butcher.

Adele and Mike, Sr. started Massanelli Cleaners in 1947. Business was hard with 12-15 cleaners in Jonesboro in the 1950s. Fire destroyed Massanelli’s in the 1960’s. Rebuilding the business was a big strain on the family. Mike, Sr. passed away in 1972.

Adele continued operations of Massanelli Cleaners with her daughter Mary Jane Peace and daughter-in-law Dorothy Massanelli along with the help and support of her other children Bob and Mike, Jr. and grandchildren. In the late 70’s Mike, Jr. became full time and in 1986. Bob, retiring from Safeway, went full time in the business. And later daughter-in-law Jackie Massanelli worked in the operation with the help of many devoted employees, many of which spent their entire careers at Massanellis.

With Adele working and leading the company with her strong faith in God, she always treated customers and employees in a Christ-like manner. In 2005 the family sold the business and it continues on today under the same name. Adele continued working full time until she was 91 years old.

She is preceded in death by her husband Mike Robert Massanelli, Sr., 2 brothers Ned Ruggeri and Jim Ruggeri.

Survivors include: 3 children and their spouses: Bob and Dorothy Massanelli, Mary Jane and Bill Peace, and Mike, Jr. and Jackie Massanelli, all of Jonesboro;

5 grandchildren and their spouses: Ralph and Sherry Massanelli, Debbie and Lafe Roberts, Jeannie and Jeff Bonds, Dean and Annette Peace, and John Wesley and Bethany Lott;

15 great grandchildren and their spouses: Haven Massanelli, Phillip Hout and Amber Pierce, Jacob Hout, Brittany and Johnnie White, Hunter Vanhorn, Sophie Bonds, Tabatha Peace, Tyler Peace, Dustin and Amanda Black, Michael Roberts, Brooke Bonds, Stephanie and Daniel Russell, Kristin and Jaramie Rosse, Shane Worthington and Brandy Messer, Michael and Ali Rosten; and

6 great, great grandchildren: Deuce Black, Kayleigh Black, Emma Russell, Jase Russell, Michael Rosten and Cole Rosten.

A funeral mass will be held Wednesday morning at 11:30 in Blessed Sacrament Church with Rev. Father Mark Wood officiating and David Mitchell serving as guest speaker. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Active pallbearers include: David Clayton, grandson John Wesley Lott, and great grandsons Phillip Hout, Jacob Hout, Hunter Vanhorn, Tyler Peace, Dustin Black, Michael Roberts, Shane Worthington, and Michael Rosten.

Honorary pallbearers include the employees of Massanelli Cleaners.

Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, 5-7, at Blessed Sacrament Church. A rosary service will be conducted at 7:00, and a brief visitation will follow.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to Blessed Sacrament Church, 614 S. Church, Jonesboro, AR 72401, or Holy Angels Convent, P.O. Drawer 130, Jonesboro, AR 72403.

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