Dr. Rev. Melvin J. Woodard II

Rev. Dr. Melvin J. Woodard II

LIMA: Rev. Dr. Melvin J. Woodard II, 75, died at 7:20 a.m., July 25,2012 at his residence.

He was born January 4, 1937 in Columbus, OH to Rev. Melvin and Bertha Lee (Stephens) Woodard Sr. who preceded him in death. On December 24, 1954 he married Edith M. "Edie" Harris, who survives in Lima.

Melvin received his Bachelors Degree in Business from Ohio University and his degree in ministry from the Chicago Institute. He was also a graduate of the Virginia Theological Seminary and College in Lynchburg, VA. Dr. Woodard dedicated his life to serving God and his community, first serving as Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church in Chillicothe, OH. He also served as Pastor of Second Baptist Church in Lima, OH for 35 years and as Pastor of Community Baptist Church for eight years. He was a former moderator of Western Union and served as auditor and treasurer for the Ohio Baptist General Convention Inc.. Dr. Woodard served on Prayer Services for WTGN and had a radio program on Sunday evenings. He served as the director of the Community Baptist "Play Attention", and was a member of the State Legislative Black Caucus; was Past President of Lima Democratic Minority Caucus; Past President of the Shawnee Advisory Board and Interim Health Care Board. He previously belonged to the Mayor's Committee, the Chamber of Commerce Decorating Committee (Decorating downtown Lima for Christmas). He served in many capacities for Shawnee Schools and was an instructor for Wineburg. Dr. Woodard was owner of Mel Woodard & Associates Center for 25 years. He served as an insurance and financial agent for Reserve Life Insurance. He was district manager of Pyramid Life. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving as a chaplain and medic during the Korean War.

Survivors include a daughter, Melvena J. Woodard-Lewis of Henderson, NV, a son, Rev, Dr. Melvin J. (Beverly) Woodard III of Zionsville, IN, a son, Dr. Martin J. (Lori) Woodard of Powell, OH, a daughter, Monica J. (Theodore) Woodard-Brown of Laurel , MD., a son, Matthew J. (Vicki) Woodard of Simi Valley CA.; 17 grandchildren, Antoine, Jamil, Colby, Tyler, Theo, Austin, Melvin, Kyli, Asher, Alex, Morgan, Grant, Matthew II, Jasmine, Quinton, Courtnae, and Joshua; a sister, Olivia Gamble of Columbus OH., a sister in law, Frances Woodard of Chillicothe, OH.; many good friends, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald Woodard.

Services will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Melvin J. Woodard III, Bishop Darnell Williams and Rev. Gary Chapman will officiate. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, August 6, 2012 at Grandview Cemetery, Chillicothe, with military rites by the United States Army Honor Guard. Friends may call 4-8 p.m. Friday at Shawnee Chapel, Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services and 11 a.m. - 1p.m. Saturday at the Church. Condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com