Melvin L. Ehresman

Melvin L. Ehresman met his Savior and Lord in person in the early morning hours of Monday, January 22, 2024, having lived a good life of 102 ½ years. He has been ready, and indeed eager, to go be with his wife of 50+ years, Mabel L. Ehresman, for some time now, and it brings his family joy to know that they are together once again, rejoicing at Jesus’ feet! Oh, what wonderful parents and grandparents they together have been! Melvin was born on July 11, 1921 in rural Allen County, a son of the late Asa and Anna (Rediger) Ehresman.

Melvin and Mabel have two children, Richard "Dick" (Judi) Ehresman of Salem, Virginia and Karen (Tom) Schible of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; four grandchildren, Chad (Eva) Bowling of Ft. Wayne, Nathan (Ruth) Ehresman of Shawsville, Virginia, Luke (Elizabeth) Ehresman of Holly Springs, North Carolina, and Angie (Bob) (Bowling) Sterling of Woodburn, Indiana; great-grandchildren, Skylar and Nicolai, Andrew, Asa, and Abram, Audrey, Melanie, and Naomi, Kaitlyn and Peyton. Melvin has one surviving sibling, his sister, Mary Ann Thompson of Atlanta, Georgia. Preceding him in death was his wife Mabel and 2 sisters Willodean Klopfenstein and Betty Hall.

A good description of Melvin’s life would be a life of service. He wholeheartedly served his Lord and Savior in many ways his whole life long, and he served his country, his church, his neighbors and his fellow man just as faithfully. His term of service for his country was from August 1942 - December 1945, including 2 ½ years in England during World War II. After returning from his military service, Melvin was co-owner of the Ehresman Food Locker in Woodburn, and also was a rural mail carrier for 30 years.

Accepting Jesus as his Savior at the age of 8 (and baptized soon after), Melvin grew in his walk with the Lord at Westwood Fellowship in Woodburn for most of his life, where he served faithfully in many capacities through the years. Later in life he attended Indian Rocks Baptist Church where he lived many later years in Indian Rocks, Florida before moving into the Cedars Retirement Community in Leo, Indiana for the final decade of his long and busy and productive life.

One of the attributes that his family will long remember and cherish was his incredible sense of humor and quick wit to the very last day of his life! Most every family memory, when verbalized, ends with laughter. It was his way, and he wouldn’t want it any other way. If you knew Mel, and ever think of him, most likely you will find yourself smiling, if not outright laughing at a memory or conversation.

The memorial service will be held at the Kate Norr Center at Cedars Retirement Community in Leo, Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the Cedars Retirement Community.

Hockemeyer Funeral Home, Harlan is caring for arrangements. Condolences and memories of Melvin can be left online at www.hockemeyerfuneralhome.com