Melvin E. Horst

SARASOTA – Melvin E. Horst, 89, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on January 14, 2018, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

Melvin was born Sept. 25, 1928, in Dalton, Ohio, to Albert C. and Elma (Kornhaus) Horst.  He was baptized in 1938 at Martin’s Mennonite Church, Orrville, Ohio. One of 6 brothers, he graduated from Dalton High School in 1947.  On Sept. 24, 1949, he married Pauline Martin of Columbiana, Ohio, at Leetonia Mennonite Church, and a year later they purchased a farm on Lower Elkton Road, Columbiana. 

While working at factory and sales jobs for a time, Melvin began farming, and between 1960 and 1965 developed a thriving poultry business.  After selling the poultry business in 1982, he purchased a farm on Woodville Road, rented some additional farmland, and continued crop farming during semi-retirement.  In 1990 he sold that farm and purchased a home on Firestone Avenue in Columbiana.  For many years Melvin and Pauline wintered in Florida.

In 1965, they traveled to Puerto Rico with their daughters. Later trips included Haiti, Europe, and trips in the U.S. and Canada.  In 1972 and 1980 they traveled to Guatemala and Venezuela to help build church buildings with United World Mission.  In 1973 and 1979 they were short-term volunteers with Mennonite Disaster Service in Kentucky and Mississippi. Pauline died on August 20, 2001, after a two-year battle with cancer.

On November 2, 2002, Melvin married Edith Lyndaker from Lowville, New York.  The couple enjoyed over 15 years together and divided their time between Columbiana and Sarasota.  In 2013 they purchased a home in Sarasota and since then had lived there year round.  During their marriage, Melvin and Edith made several trips to attend family weddings, reunions, and to visit their children and grandchildren in several states.

Melvin made an effort to stay in touch with his many friends and relatives, even in his later years. He was known for his story telling, his sense of humor, and his large and small acts of service and support for the church and people in the communities where he lived. 

Melvin is survived by his wife, Edith Horst, and three daughters:  Joanne (Ralph) Lehman, Wooster, Ohio; Melva Huebert, Canfield, Ohio; Karen (Daniel) Cobb, Santa Fe, New Mexico; 2 brothers, Raymond Horst of Columbiana and Myron Horst of Orrville. He has 8 grandchildren, 12 great- grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandsons, as well as 5 step-children and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Pauline; 3 brothers, Chester, LaVerne, and Albert Jr.; and a son-in-law, John Huebert.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday at Leetonia Mennonite Church, 764 Columbia St., Leetonia. Friends may call between 9 and 11 a.m. preceding the service. Burial will be at Midway Mennonite Church cemetery.   Arrangements are being handled by Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home, Columbiana. Online registry and expression of condolence may be made at www.seederly-mongandbeck.com.  Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Disaster Service, in care of Leetonia Mennonite Church, for rebuilding in Puerto Rico. 

 Service Information