Melvin H. Vansickle

Melvin H. Vansickle, 92, of Medway, Ohio, went to be with the Lord on May 24, 2025. He was born June 6, 1932, to Fred & Ethel Vansickle in Greenup County, KY. He grew up as the 7th child in a large family of 10 children. At an early age, he met the love of his life, June Stephens. They were married for nearly 70 years before she went to meet her Lord four years ago. Due to the example and influence of June’s family, Melvin received Christ as his Savior at the age of 15. In the years following, he worked in the fields of Kentucky, served in the Army, laid railroad tracks, constructed electrical towers, and was employed at NCR.

In the early 1960s, while helping start a Baptist church in Lewisburg, Ohio, he felt the Lord calling him to preach. In 1969, he moved his family to Medway, Ohio, with the plan of continuing his education at Cedarville University. There, he absorbed every Bible class he could.

God had additional plans for his life, and in 1969, he became pastor of Medway Baptist Church, where he served until 1978. He continued to be an active member for 56 years. After pastoring at Medway, he became employed by the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board and Broadman Press. During his time at Broadman, he continued the ministry God assigned him and helped plant numerous churches in the greater Dayton area.

His greatest joy and purpose was to share his Savior with others. In his later years, he established his “yard sale ministry” where he would go to yard sales in order to share the Gospel. He often said, “People will talk to you if they think you are going to buy something.”

Melvin was an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors and would tell many stories about his exploits, which were mostly true. He always enjoyed a good joke and could tell the best stories, especially those stories about growing up in the Kentucky hills. He would entertain his grandchildren by making up silly songs and giving them funny nicknames.

He is survived by his 3 daughters, Debbie St.Clair (Jeff), Judy Vansickle, & Kathy Myers, 9 grandchildren, Ryan Esposito & Nathan (Chelsea) Esposito, Michelle (Joshua) Lum, Stephanie (Jason) Ward, John St.Clair, Melissa St.Clair, Stephen (Jessica) St.Clair, David (Bailie) St.Clair & Jennifer (Tony) Reeves; great grandchildren, Austin (Allison) Esposito, Miriam, Isabel, Claire & Emily Esposito, Alex Ward, Matthew, Samuel, Kaitlynne & Henry Lum, Gabe Albee, Gideon, Liam & Boston Reeves, Christopher, Harrison & Myles St. Clair; great great grandchildren, Houston & Wyatt Esposito, Bexley Weidinger, and many nieces and nephews who will all miss him greatly.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Frances June, siblings, Bulus Edward, Beaulah Mae, Belva Avondale, Berthel Otis, Delores Alline, William Loren, John David, Donald Eugene & Paul Ray.

We can only imagine the joy in heaven as he joined his wife, his many friends and family, and heard his beloved Savior say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Services will be held at Medway Baptist Church, 11027 Gerlaugh Rd., Medway, Ohio, on Monday, June 2, 2025, with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 and a celebration of life immediately following. A burial service will be held at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in Donnelsville. In lieu of flowers Melvin requested that donations be made to Medway Baptist Church, at PO Box 369, Medway, Ohio, 45341 or www.medwaybaptist.com/give.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at trostelchapman.com

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” -Philippians 1:21.