Name: Visitation for Melvin D. "Mel" Barger
Start: 2017-02-26T17:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-02-26T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Newcomer Funeral Home - Southwest Toledo Chapel

BARGER
Melvin D. “Mel”
Melvin D. “Mel” Barger, age 91, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2017. A resident of Toledo since 1972, he was active in several organizations and as a professional in public relations.
Mel was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, on September 9, 1925, to Learner Barger and Bertha (Swisher). He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, receiving battle stars for Saipan, Anguar in the Palau Islands, Leyte and Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines, and Okinawa. He was also a founder of the U.S. LST Association, a group of veterans who served on tank landing ships.
He was married in 1960 to Loraine “Lori” (Schroeder), who survives him. Also surviving are their four adult children, Wayne (Lisa) of Dallas, TX, Craig of Metamora, OH, Dean (Laura) of Falmouth, ME, and Lynne (Jon) Gochenour, Toledo; ten grandchildren, Heather, Nolan, Adrian, Danny, Kendall, Paige, Lena, Nora, Rowan and Mira; and brother, Bill Barger. In addition to his parents, Mel was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Powell; brother, Richard Barger and daughter-in-law, Connie Barger.
Mel was employed by Aeroquip Corporation, Jackson, MI, from 1952 until 1972, and was public relations manager when he was transferred to Toledo in a similar position for Libbey-Owens-Ford Company. He retired in 1986.
He was an emeritus board member of the Salvation Army of Northwest Ohio and had belonged to the Northwest Ohio Writers Forum since the first year of its founding. He was a graduate of Jackson Community College and The University of Toledo.
Mel was “a friend of Bill W.” and had authored five books and several pamphlets related to recovery. He also published four editions of a book for LST veterans titled Large Slow Target and was co-author of a 1991 book titled “Toledo: Focused for the Future.”
The family will receive guests Sunday, February 26, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home - SW Chapel, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419-381-1900). Memorial Services will begin Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army in Melvin's memory.
To leave a special message for Melvin's family, please visit
www.NewcomerToledo.com
As published in The Blade

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Blade on Feb. 22, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Melvin Barger

24 Entries

Cap and Patti Chastain

February 16, 2019

Dear Mel .. How can this be? A year has passed and I am in Seoul, South Korea, attending meetings as well as doing the same in Russian Siberia. It is not possible for me, in these few words, to tell you how very much you meant to me, and to the many MANY people that you touched during your life both in the Fellowship and outside of it. On April the 15th I DON'T think of Income Tax Day Mel, I think of you and I think of your Anniversary date in the Fellowship that no one ever grew up wanting to be a member of. I've a friend here in Osan, South Korea, who will be singing your song (Once There Were Founders) at an annual meeting of the Fellowship here in Asia in Hong Kong in July. You may be gone Mel but trust me, you LIVE ON forever in my mind and that of Patti. Much Love to you Mel and of course to Lori who I hope will read this. Smiles and Hugs, Cap and Patti

Kim Grower Dowling

October 6, 2017

Mel was a gem of a person. I did not often see him without a smile on his face. He was sincere in sharing himself and helping others.

Andy E

April 5, 2017

ODAAT Mel B. It was a pleasure sharing this planet with you. Many of us in Springfield will mourn your absence, but continue to celebrate what you gave us.

Diane Ballmer

March 10, 2017

My sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mel. He was a friend of my father, Fred Fuller and that is how I met him and Lori many, many years ago. I remember Mel as a very gracious, kind and loving man, always positive and fun to be around. God rest his soul.

Roger and Lana Buehrer

March 2, 2017

Our sincere condolences to the Barger family. We knew Mel as a neighbor before we moved from our home on Whiteford Road and as a fellow pr professional when I was director of corp comm at the Edison Co. Our memories are all fond ones.

Linda Kurtz

February 26, 2017

My condolences to the widow and family of Mel Barger. He was a great friend of my husband's (Ernie Kurtz) and so nicely helped me with some research. I'll always remember how gracious he was.
Linda Kurtz

Mike M

February 26, 2017

Thanks for all of your "Strength, Hope, and Experience". I can't begin to fathom the people that are no longer "sick and suffering" due to the message that you passed on, and in turn was given by others so "freely" to others...including me.

Amazing Grace

Tim R

February 24, 2017

I had the privilege of meeting Mel a little over a year ago when we had lunch and spent the afternoon together, and then met him again this past June in Akron. I'm grateful for the opportunity to know him a little. RIP Mel.

February 23, 2017

Miss you, love Tina H. Wisconsin

February 23, 2017

Gaylen Freeman

February 23, 2017

Sorry for your loss. Mel was one of the best human being I have ever met. He came to meeting here in Norfolk when ever he was in town and We were so blessed to have him. Praying for the family. God speed my my friend tell we meet again. All are Love Gaylen and Dawn Freeman

Mel in July 2016

Cap Chastain

February 23, 2017

Mel, you were the 'magic man' for me. Even though I thanked you countless times over the decades we knew one another, there is no way you could ever realize how very much you, and of course Lori, meant to me. Thanks to you and your role in writing the book, 'Pass It On', I gained so very much knowledge about how the miracle of AA began. Until I read, and studied 'Pass It On', I did not know exactly and precisely why there is so much in our program about God, yes, The God Of The Preachers, as I quote from 'Pass It On'. Bill W saw God and the book made it crystal clear for me. Back in 1984 this information was not so widely known as it is now.

I Thank God for our many visits Mel, including last summer 2016, when Patti and I got a motel room in Toledo and really spent a lot of quality time with you and Lori. Hours and hours over a number of days covering three individual visits last summer.

Mel, I will never fully understand the miracle and the magic of the chemistry between we two. You made me feel like I was the main-attraction when of course you were the main-attraction. I will just have to say, "Thank You Oh God of Abraham" for our connection Mel.

Although I am writing this in the 'first person' Mel, you and Lori both have to realize how very very much you two have meant to Patti as well as to myself.

Deep breath and I will say,

I love you Mel. Because of you Mel, we both will continue to Pass It On.

Cap Chastain from Alaska and Patti Boone.

Chhuck Clark

February 23, 2017

Mel inspired me & so many. I learned his recovery song & sing it whenever I can! he was here in macon ga in 2010, I was touched by his warm welcoming aura. I still have the talk he gave, and I read "walk in dry places" most every day. thank you mel, for touching our lives & hearts.

Beverly Liske

February 22, 2017

One of my favorite guys. I loved how he used to sing to me. Mel, you will be missed!

February 22, 2017

I am so sorry to learn of Mel's death. He was a wonderful man. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Janet Rogolsky

Jim Sheehy

February 22, 2017

I'm so sorry for your loss. Mel added much to my life and I will miss him.Jim SheehyRedondo Beach, CA

Dennis McCree

February 22, 2017

My condolences to Mel's family as well as the thousands of AA's that he touched and helped locally. I hope to attend the meeting that Mel's gets to attend now, one day myself. I will miss Mel in the rooms here in Toledo, but I look forward to our next celestial meeting even more now. God speed my friend !

Joni Christian

February 22, 2017

Mel was my spiritual father. I will miss him terribly.
My deepest sympathy for Lori & family.

Joni Christian

February 22, 2017

Mel was my spiritual father. I will miss him terribly. My deepest sympathy for Lori & family.

Carol Wisniewski

February 22, 2017

Mel,
I am truly going to miss your great sense of humor, your beautiful voice, and especially your interesting stories. As you always say, "That's my story and I am going to stick with it"! You have been an inspiration to us all.
Your "friend of Bill",
Carol W

Wally Paton

Sent Flowers

Jackson, MI rendezvous

February 22, 2017

My special, special, friend and archival "go-to-guy. You taught me so much over the decades that we traveled together. I am most appreciative of all you have done to keep "the fellowship of the spirit" alive.

Thanks for being such a supporter of my archival work and thanks for "passing it on."

Wally P
Tucson, AZ

Andrew W

February 22, 2017

Mel was always ready to provide a welcoming hand and words of interest in the lives of others. I will miss him dearly and believe his personal witness to the past and his ability to convey his stories in written word and speech are irreplaceable gifts of a legacy he has left for us to cherish.

Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results