Our family has known “Grandpa Mel” since 1984, when I was working at Penn State. “Grandma Gerry” and Grandpa took my wife Bobbie and me under their wings, and loved and mentored us well. They were “Grandparents” to our four children, Joshua, James, Jewel and John. They joined us for every celebration: birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving. Grandpa Mel made a swing for them to play in his backyard garden. They visited his research corn fields, and were impressed by all the big machinery they saw. Grandpa Mel and I were born on the same day of the year, and for all our years in State College we celebrated together with both of our families. Leaving State College in 1992 was especially hard because it meant not seeing as much of them.
They visited us twice when we lived in Hampton and Yorktown, Virginia, and the pictures included were taken when they visited for Grandpa Mel’s 67th birthday in 1995! He read Scripture and prayed with our family during our celebrations, and sent me a card for my birthday every year. We had the privilege of visiting them several times in their home in State College, most recently for Grandpa Mel’s 90th birthday celebration. We will miss his loving presence in our lives until we meet again.
Melanie and Jack, Eric and Nancy, and all the grandchildren: thank you for lovingly sharing your Grandpa with us. We grieve with you and pray for God’s comfort for all of you in the days ahead. --Alex and Bobbie
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him; With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.
From Psalm 91
