Melvin M. Martin, 66, of Mifflintown passed away at 8:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at Messiah Lifeways, Mechanicsburg.
Born on April 8, 1950 in West Cocalico Twp., Lancaster County he was a son of the late Henry S. and Mary (Martin) Martin. On December 13, 1969 he married his surviving wife, Gwyneth S. (Wilson) Martin, with whom he was blessed to share more than 46 years of marriage.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters; Wendy J. Lauver and her husband John “Chuck”, Heather E. Aurand and her husband Mark, Melissa A. Shepps, Tammy M. Smith and her husband Zachary, all of Mifflintown; siblings, Arthur M. Martin, of Ephrata, L. Eugene Martin and his wife Anna, of Denver, Edith M. Weaver, of Bowsmansville, Ella M. Martin, of Ephrata, Laura M. Fox and her husband Leon, of Denver, Harlan M. Martin and his wife Kathy, of Ephrata, Susan Eby Malin and her husband Pat, of Fairmont, GA; a lifelong friend and farming mentor, Wilmer Esbenshade and his wife Shirley, of Manheim; and he leaves behind nine precious grandchildren, Ben Lauver, Ellie Shepps, Rowe Shepps, Max Lauver, Tyson Aurand, Slone Smith, Jasper Shepps, Willow Aurand and Silas Smith.
A sister, Esther M. Kurtz, preceded him in death.
Mr. Martin was a member of the Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church, Mifflintown where he led the Cars Ministry and served as Deacon for 25 years. He served on the Juniata County Farmland Preservation Board for 10 years, the Walker Twp. Planning Board for 10 years, as the 4 H Dairy Club Leader and was the very first recipient of the Farmer of the Year Award for Juniata County.
Melvin owned and operated the Walnut Level Farm, Walker Twp.
Mel loved the outdoors and was always willing to help others; however his greatest joy came from spending time with his family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 31, 2016 from the Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church, Mifflintown with Pastor Ken Hepner and Pastor Debby Bentch officiating. Interment will follow in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, Mifflintown.
Visitation will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. Sunday in the Fellowship Hall lower level of the Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church.
The family will provide all funeral flowers and kindly ask that memorial donations in Mr. Martin’s memory be made the Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church, 287 Deerfield Road, Mifflintown, PA 17059 or to the Messiah Lifeways Endowment Fund, c/o Asper, 100 Mount Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.