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Obituary: Melvin T. Zehr, 90, Lowville
Published: June 18, 2026
By: Provided by Iseneker
Funeral Home
Melvin T. Zehr
 LOWVILLE- Melvin T. Zehr, 90, of Church Street graduated to Heaven on Tuesday, June 16, 2026
at home under the care of his loving family and Lewis County Hospice.
Family and
friends are welcome to join Mel’s family for fellowship and Maple Ice Cream
Sundaes at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 22, 2026 at
New Day Community Church, 5573 Water Street, Lowville, followed by a
Celebration of Life promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Melvin was born
on August 29, 1935 in Lowville, NY. He was
married in 1959 to the love of his life, Norma Virkler who he loved to call
his “child bride”. He leaves behind his beloved wife and four
wonderful children, Delite (Curt) Christman, Lowville, Dawn (Will) Roggie,
Martinsburg, Melvin II (Carrie) Zehr, Lowville, Matthew (Leticia) Zehr,
Constableville, plus 22 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren, a sister,
Jane (Mel) Birky (Colorado), and a sisters-in-law, Emma Zehr
(Indiana), Nin Grau (Croghan), Jeanie Herzig (Castorland), Mae Virkler
(Croghan), brothers-in-law, Nat (Sheila) Virkler, Lowville, Kenny
(Marlene) Virkler, and many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased
by parents, Aaron and Pearl Zehr, his parents-in-law, Ted and Amelia Belle
Virkler, his beloved grandson and namesake, Melvin T. Zehr III, his
brothers, Hilton (Maryhelen) Zehr and Calvin Zehr, sisters Mary (Addison)
Lehman and Vivian (Louis) Stoffel, In-laws, Donnie (Rita) Petzoldt, Ray
Grau, Bradley Herzig, Ted Virkler, nieces Pam Herzig, Jean Zehr, Emily
Virkler and nephews Steve Zehr and Robert Lehman.
Mel served his country by working for 2 years in Syracuse, NY at the House
of the Good Shepherd Hospital.
He bought the family dairy farm (Zereyn Farm) in
1960. In the early 60s he was honored to receive the Young Farmer of
the Year Award. He was also a maple syrup producer and loved
all things maple!! In 1984 he bought Happy Hollow Campground.
Mel was a fun loving, faithful husband, father and friend, but mostly a
faithful follower of Jesus. He served whenever he could, using his
gift of helps wherever he went. He was a
loving man of simplicity and wisdom.
Mel was a charter member of the Adirondack Mennonite Camping Association
(Beaver Camp), a founding member of Rhema Fellowship, Lowville, NY, and an
active member for many years of Full Gospel Business
Men’s Fellowship International serving in various capacities.
Some of his
sayings:
You’ll do what you want to do.
We’re all just a heartbeat away from eternity.
I’m too blessed to be stressed
We’re not guaranteed the next heartbeat.
A merry heart does good like a medicine.
Live one day at a time.
Stay young!
I’m blessed and highly favored.
Mel loved music
and always had a song on his lips ready to sing whenever the opportunity
arose.
Well done good
and faithful servant.
Condolences may be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.
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