Melvin E. Wilt, 87, of Huntsville, passed away Thursday, May 24th in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born at home near Jackson Center on December 26,1930, the third child of Harry Wilt and Delmer P. Apple Wilt. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael, and a brother, Isaiah.

On April 26, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart Janice L. Tilton. She survives along with their children, Barbara (Yolande Adams) Wilt, of California, Lori (Kip) Carter, Diana Wilt, David (Roxy) Wilt, all of Bellefontaine, Susie (Tony) Grant, of Huntsville, John (Lisa) Wilt, of Colorado; 9 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and his older sister, Ruth Alexander.

Mel grew up in Russells Point and worked at several jobs, as a teenager, at the Sandy Beach Amusement Park and Beatleys on the Lake Hotel. He graduated from Washington Local High School in 1950, where he played basketball under coach Walter Alston. He served in the U. S. Air Force as an electrician during the Korean War from 1950 to 1954. Mel worked as a printer for Merchants Industries in Bellefontaine, while operating Indian Lake Printing and Advertising out of his garage. He coached his sons' baseball teams and found the time to build his own house, where he and Jan lived for the last 48 years.

Mel was a longtime member of the Indian Lake Fish and Game Club and a charter member of Galilee Lutheran Church in Russells Point. He and Jan served as volunteers at Our Daily Bread, at Indian Lake, since its beginning. He played on the Sr. Men's Golf League at Cherokee Hills and Tree Links for many years and enjoyed boating on Indian Lake. He was an accomplished woodworker in later years. Mel and Jan took many family fishing trips to Michigan and Canada over the years. He found great joy being with his family and following his grandchildren's athletic activities. Mel was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

A Celebration of Life in honor of Mel will be held at Galilee Lutheran Church, 301 Lincoln Blvd., Russells Point, on Saturday, June 2nd, at 12:00 noon, with visitation two hours prior. Military Honors will be performed by the American Legion Post #173 and the Logan County Honor Guard. Burial will be at a later date. The family requests no flowers. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Galilee Lutheran Church or Universal Home Health and Hospice Care.

The family was assisted with arrangements by Jennings Farley & Seeley Funeral Home & Crematory.