Etna Green, IN - Melvin Jay Schmucker, age 85 of Etna Green, died Sunday night, May 17, at his residence.

Melvin was born on Sept. 20, 1940 in Nappanee, to Jancy E. and Martha Ella (Troyer) Schmucker.

On April 4, 1963, Melvin married Erma Helmuth in Bremen.

He lived his entire life in the Nappanee area and was a member of the Old Order Amish Church, where he served as a minister for 52 years.

Melvin is survived by his wife of over 63 years, Erma Schmucker of Etna Green; 10 children, Dennis Eugene (Regina) Schmucker of Etna Green, Clara (Jacob) Miller of Etna Green, Anna Marie Schmucker of Nappanee, Lorene Sue Schmucker of Nappanee, Martha Ella (Chris) Stutzman of Milford; Donald Jay Schmucker of Nappanee, Andrew (Sarah) Schmucker of Etna Green, Harry James Schmucker of Etna Green, Freida Schmucker of Etna Green, and Melvin Jay Schmucker Jr. of Etna Green; 9 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and 6 siblings, Rosie (Ervin) Gingerich of Bloomfield, Iowa, Edna Mae Schmucker of Nappanee, Ezra (Leanna) Schmucker of Elkhart, Simon (Martha) Schmucker of Goshen, and Marion (Frieda) Schmucker of Nappanee, and Mary Ellen (Levi) Miller of Nappanee.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Mervin Lee Schmucker; 5 siblings, Daniel Schmucker, David Schmucker, Leander Schmucker, Miriam Schmucker, and Jancy Schmucker Jr; and a sister-in-law, Martha Schmucker.

Visitation will be held at the Jacob Miller residence, 7011 N 625 W, Etna Green, after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, and all day on Wednesday, May 20.

A funeral service will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Jacob Miller residence.

Home Ministries of the Old Order Amish Church will officiate; and burial will take place in Graber Cemetery, Nappanee.

Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.