Melvin Horst

Melvin H. Horst, 91, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away Monday evening, October 25, 2021 at the Chambersburg Hospital. Born June 20, 1930 in Clear Spring, MD, he was a son of the late Otho Shank and Anna Hoover Horst. He served two years of alternative service during WWII at a Tuberculosis hospital in Maryland. He then worked as a carpenter for Welty Shaffer and for Carl Flohr and later owned and operated Horst Garage Doors until his retirement in 1990. He was an active member of the Chambersburg Mennonite Church. He and his late wife, Miriam, actively served with Mennonite Disaster Service rebuilding in Florida following Hurricane Andrew and following disasters in other areas of the country. He also volunteered for many years with Habitat for Humanity, House Against Hunger, and with meat canning as part of the Mennonite Central Committee. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting trips throughout the United States and Canada. He especially liked spending time with his grandchildren. His wife, Miriam Amanda Frey Horst, preceded him in death on August 4, 2012.

He is survived by his daughter, Sharon M. Martin of Waynesboro; his son, Stephen G. Horst (Lisa) of Chambersburg; nine grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; four brothers, Otho, Mark, Luke, and Amos Horst; and two sisters, Ethel Horst and Lois Eyster. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Irvin, Elmer, Daniel, James, and Samuel Horst, and two sisters, Mary Kipe and Martha Horst.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 30, 2021 at the Chambersburg Mennonite Church, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Dale Lehman and Rev. Jere Horst will officiate. Interment will follow the service in the adjoining church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Friday and from 10:00-11:00 AM Saturday at the church. The service will be live streamed on the Chambersburg Mennonite Church Facebook page.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Chambersburg Mennonite Church, 1800 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201 or to Mennonite Disaster Service, 583 Airport Rd., Lititz, PA 17543.