Melvin D. Leidig, 92 of Orrville, formerly of Canton, Ohio, died on March 19, 2018 in the OrrVilla Retirement Community after a period of declining health while under hospice care. Melvin was born on August 3, 1925 in Pompeii, Michigan, to the late Rueben and Emily (Teuscher) Leidig. Melvin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lois (Gisel); his daughter Shari Leidig Holland (Scott) of Pittsburgh, PA; sister Bernice of Harrisonburg, VA; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his daughter Debra Anne Leidig, in 2001, who was developmentally disabled; his parents Rueben and Emily; brothers Clarence and Wilbur; sisters Hazel and Gladys.

Melvin was member of Orrville Mennonite Church. At the age of 13 he became a Christian and was greatly influenced by the death of his Uncle Dan who died as a conscientious objector in World War I. As a result Melvin became a C.O. when he was of age. He graduated from Ontario Mennonite Bible Institute and was ordained in the Indiana Michigan Mennonite Conference.  Melvin met his wife Lois while in Mennonite voluntary service in Saginaw, Michigan, where he started Grace Chapel Mennonite Church. He later attended Western Michigan University where he received both a BA in Social Work and an MA in Counseling.  Following his graduate work he was called to First Mennonite Church in Canton, Ohio. There he helped start South East Community Organization (SECO) and was involved in many community organizing activities. He worked for a variety of social service organizations in Michigan and Ohio while pastoring. Mel had a pastoral heart and was gifted in helping congregations through transitions. He did many interim pastorates throughout Stark and Wayne County Ohio for both Mennonite and Church of the Brethren Congregations. He was an ordained retired minister in the Ohio Conference of the Mennonite Church.

He was deeply involved in civil rights, peace and justice leadership while always keeping current on world events up to the time of his death, His family and friends will remember him as an advocate for others and especially committed to racial and economic justice. Mel was a kind and loving father and husband. He and Lois enjoyed genealogical research on the Leidig family and he loved meeting cousins through this process.

A funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 23, at 11:00 am at Orrville Mennonite Church, 1305 W. Market Street, Orrville, with Pastor Bill Seymour officiating.

Family and Friends may call at Auble Funeral Home on Thursday, March 22, from 6 to 8 pm and on Friday at the church for one hour prior to the funeral.

A time for friends and family to call will be held at Short Funeral Home, 500 Defiance Street, Archbold, on Saturday, March 24, from 1-3 pm. Burial will follow at Pettisville Cemetery.

Online registry may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.

Memorial donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee, P.O. Box 500 Akron, PA 17501 or to Orrville Mennonite Church, 1305 West Market St, Orrville, Ohio 44667.

The family would like to especially thank the staff from Maple Terrace and the LifeCare Hospice staff who faithfully cared for him during these days.