Maria (Lach) Meiling of Lockport, NY, passed away Saturday morning, March 24, 2012 in Plant City, FL, after suffering a stroke. Maria was born on July 9, 1932 in Adölfsdorf, Croatia to the late Stefan and Maria Lach.

Maria married Karl Meiling in 1951 and they had four children. They raised their family in Vöcklabrook, Austria before immigrating to the United States and settling in Lockport, NY in 1956. Maria worked for over 30 years as a chef at The Fieldstone and Danny Sheehan's. She attended Lockport Alliance Church. Maria was a wonderful cook and an avid gardener, but most of all she enjoyed her role as "Oma." She was a loving grandmother to 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking for them, making her famous raspberry jam, and spending time with them picking vegetables from her garden. She beamed with pride when she spoke about each and every one of them.

Maria will be greatly missed by her husband of 60 years, Karl Meiling; her two sons, Steven (Gayle) Meiling of Solon, OH and Daniel (Annette) Meiling of Churchville, NY; her two daughters, Magdalena (Gary) Brockman of Lockport, NY and Kathryn (Theron) Main of Plant City, FL; her brother Stefan (Esther) Lach, her 10 grandchildren: Theron (Anna) Main, Erin (George) Verghese, Adam (Tiffany) Main, Daniel, Steven, and Zachary Meiling, Rachel Brockman, Erica Meiling, Andrew (Brittany) Meiling, and Gregory Brockman; her 3 great grandchildren: Emma and Theron Main and Ethan Verghese; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Maria was predeceased by her brother, Henry (Esther) Lach, and sister, Kathryn (Phillip) Steib.

Family and friends may call on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport, NY. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 AM at the Lockport Alliance Church, 555 Davison Road, Lockport, NY. Burial will follow at Cold Springs Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Lockport Alliance Church would be appreciated. Visit www.pruddenandkandt.com.

Visitation

Family and friends may call on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport, NY.

Services

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 AM at the Lockport Alliance Church, 555 Davison Road, Lockport, NY.

Interment

Burial will follow at Cold Springs Cemetery.