Reverend Melvin A. Hart

Melvin Arthur Hart, 97, of Lake Mary, FL, went home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on April 5, 2016.

Melvin was born in Lyons, New York to Albert and Ruth Hart on October 25, 1918.  He was married to Carol L. (Slabaugh) Hart for 64 years and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.  Melvin also had a special gift for connecting with others and grew his "family" to include dear friends across many generations.

Being a child of the Depression era, he held many jobs through the years including attaining numerous certifications as a welder. However, no matter what his job, Melvin considered the ministry to be his true calling.  Along with his older brother, Earl, he attended Zion Bible Institute in Providence, Rhode Island, graduating in 1938.  He was ordained by the Assemblies of God and spent many years pastoring churches in West Virginia, Ohio, and Texas, including the important role of serving as interim pastor for many congregations in transition.

After retirement to Port Charlotte, FL, Melvin continued to assist in the church and teach the Word, leading a bible study and fellowship of friends that met for 24 years till he and Carol relocated to Lake Mary.  He also pursued his life-long love of music playing piano, organ, and clarinet, both for the church and at in-home jam sessions.  Melvin also enjoyed travel, visiting Hawaii and Australia with Carol to celebrate retirement, marking his 80 ^th birthday in the Holy Land, and visiting China the following year.  Annual road trips to Ohio to see family and friends, visit the Carroll County Fair, and attend family reunions were the highlight of his summers.

He is survived by his daughter, Cathi Balboa of Lake Mary, FL; granddaughter, Andrea Balboa Cook (husband, Brian) of Tampa, FL; adopted son, Dale; niece and nephew, Judy (Wood) Bennett and Doug Wood; and many extended family members and friends.

Rev. Hart was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Rev. Earl Hart; his sister, Myrtle Wood; his first wife, Ruth (Stump) Hart; and his second wife, Carol L. (Slabaugh) Hart.

A celebration of his homegoing will be held at 1 pm on Friday, April 29 ^th in the chapel at Calvary Assembly (1199 Clay Street, Winter Park, FL).  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the one of the following organizations which were special to him.

The Jesus Film is a project to bring the Gospel to the world through the medium of visual storytelling. Please designate account 00327170  at http://www.jesusfilm.org .

Elder Orphan Care is a nonprofit providing food, shelter, love, and spiritual care to the elderly who have been abandoned on the streets of Romania.  Visit www.elderorphancare.com or mail donations to 349-L Copperfield Blvd, Suite 211, Concord, NC 28025.