Rev. Dr. Melvin J. Woodard II

LIMA — The Rev. Dr. Melvin J. Woodard II, 75, died at 7:20 a.m., July 25, 2012 at his residence. He was born Jan. 4, 1937, in Columbus to the Rev. Melvin and Bertha Lee Stephens Woodard Sr., who preceded him in death. On Dec. 24, 1954, he married Edith M. "Edie" Harris, who survives in Lima. The Rev. Dr. Woodard received his bachelor's degree in business from Ohio University, Athens, and a degree in ministry from the Chicago Institute. He was also a graduate of the Virginia Theological Seminary and College, Lynchburg, Va. He dedicated his life to serving God and his community, first serving as an associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Chillicothe. He also served as pastor at Second Baptist Church, Lima, for 35 years, and as pastor of Community Baptist Church, for eight years. He was a former moderator of Western Union and served as an auditor and treasurer for the Ohio Baptist General Convention Inc. He 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. He had served as president of Lima Democratic Minority Caucus, the Shawnee Advisory Board and Interim Health Care Board. He had been a member of the Mayor's Committee and the Chamber of Commerce decorating committee, which decorated downtown Lima for Christmas. He served in several capacities for Shawnee schools and was an instructor at Wineburg. He 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 an Army veteran, serving as a chaplain and medic during the Korean War. Survivors also include five children, Melvena J. Woodard-Lewis, of Henderson, Nev., the Rev. Dr. Melvin J. (Beverly) Woodard III, of Zionsville, Ind., Dr. Martin J. (Lori) Woodard, of Powell, Monica J. (Theodore) Woodard-Brown, of Laurel, Md., and Matthew J. (Vicki) Woodard, of Simi Valley Calif.; 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; a sister-in-law, Frances Woodard, of Chillicothe; and several 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. The Rev. Dr. Melvin J. Woodard III, Bishop Darnell Williams and the Rev. Gary Chapman will officiate. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Grandview Cemetery, Chillicothe, with military rites by the Army Honor Guard. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Shawnee Chapel, and 11 a.m. until time of services Saturday at the Church. Condolences may be expressed at chiles-lamanfh.com.