Mark Melton

July 21, 1952 – October 3, 2024

On Thursday evening, October 3, 2024, Mark Melton, a beloved husband, father, papa, brother, friend, and minister of the Gospel was called Home to be with his Lord, passing peacefully at his home in Sheridan, surrounded by his loving family.

Mark was born July 21, 1952, in Decatur, Ill., to Cynthia and Edward Melton. By high school (Eisenhower H.S.), he had met the love of his life, Patti and felt he had been called to serve the Lord. On Sept. 4, 1971, he and Patti were married after one year at Moody Bible Institute. They then moved to Grand Rapids where he received his Bible degree from the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music in 1974. While there he served two summers as an intern at a small church in Michigan. He then went on and received his Bachelor of Arts from Grand Rapids Baptist College (now Cornerstone College) in 1978.

He began his 40-year-long service in ministry with Youth for Christ in the Pontiac, Mich., area in 1979. He ran Campus Life clubs in high schools, which touched countless lives of young people in the ensuing years, working tirelessly in the service of God – going on trips, showing up at wrestling meets, hosting kids in his home, and always being someone that people could rely on, talk to, and come to in times of need.

In 1987 Mark moved his family to Zionsville, Ind. He served two years training interns under Tom Streeter at Zionsville Fellowship. Tom had been he and Patti’s youth minister in Decatur, Ill. Two years later, he was called to plant a church in Sheridan, so he moved his family, and with the help of many others, started Sheridan Fellowship church which later transitioned to Christ Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church. While continuing to pastor his congregation, Mark also attended Mid-America Reformed Seminary to study the Greek and Hebrew languages. He served as a faithful minister of Jesus Christ in Sheridan, until his retirement in 2019.

Mark’s goal with his life was always to be a godly man. Everything he did was to that end, and with that in mind. He spent 30 years in Sheridan preaching the gospel, shepherding the flock, and ministering to many people both in and out of the church. He gave of himself tirelessly and unselfishly, always seeking to serve the Lord with every fiber of his being. He was a blessing to those around him and an example of perseverance in the face of hardships with Parkinson’s.

Mark and Patti raised their three children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Above all, Mark sought to teach everyone in his path that our greatest treasures are in heaven, and we should live to that effect.

He loved spending time with his adoring grandchildren and having family get-togethers. After retiring, he continued to be involved in the church, but also made time for reading books and sitting peacefully on the deck, enjoying God’s creation, which he never tired of.

Mark is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Patti L. (McWilliams) Melton of Sheridan; three children, Joshua Melton (Lacey) of Noblesville, Jessica Melton (Jason Sanford) of Westfield, and Joel Melton (Traci) of Lebanon; 11 grandchildren, Jocelyn DeVol, Noah Melton, Ethan DeVol, Jude Melton, Alexander DeVol, Amos Melton, Madison Melton, Rebekah DeVol, Isabella DeVol, Dimitri Melton, and Marc Melton; his brother, Doug Melton (Veronica) of Sheridan; two sisters, Sherri Beaty of Iowa, and Melanie Sutherland (Scott) of Kansas City, Kan.; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Cynthia (Walden) Melton; stepfather, George Martina; stepfather, Jack Turner; and brother-in-law, Duane Beaty.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Christ Covenant OPC, 6070 C.R. 900 East, Sheridan.

Burial will follow at Moore Cemetery, located next to the church. Pastor Tom Streeter will be officiating.

Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2024, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan.

Memorial Contributions may be presented to Christ Covenant OPC.

Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com