OBIT: Melvin Edward DURST, Rev., 1930, of interest in Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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MELVIN EDWARD DURST

Grantsville, Maryland

Rev. Melvin E. Durst Meets Death by Drowning

  Grantsville, July 15 - Rev. Melvin Edward Durst, aged 28 years and 7 months, 
son of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Durst, of near Grantsville, met his death by drowning 
at Saybrook Township Beach, on Lake Erie, about seven miles from Geneva, O., on 
Wednesday afternoon, July 9, about 5 o'clock.
  Rev. Durst, accompanied by Rev. F. A. Shiltz, his parents and brother, and 
Miss Elliott, of Geneva, O., with whom he was staying this summer, had taken 
their lunch to the beach to spend the evening, and decided to take a swim before 
eating.  There were not many in the water at the time.  Melvin, his friend, Rev. 
Shiltz, and brother had been in for a short time and were ready to come out of 
the water.  It seems the waves were heavy and they became bewildered as they 
were carried further from the shore, and were getting weak.  As neither he nor 
his friend were expert swimmers, they called for help and the brother came to 
Rev. Shiltz first.  The latter could help himself, but could not save Melvin, 
and before his brother reached him, he had gone down the last time.  His body 
was found near where it went down, at a point about 150 feet from the shore, and 
where the water was not deep.
  There were no life guards at the beach, but some were called from Ashtabula 
and arrived in a short time.  The lake was dragged until the body was found.  
Everything possible was done to restore life, but to no avail, for he had been 
in the water nearly an hour.
  The body arrived in Meyersdale on Thursday night and was taken to his parental 
home by Undertaker William Winterberg.  Rev. F. A. Shiltz accompanied the body.
  He is survived by his parents, two brothers, William, at home, and Robert, and 
a sister, Miss Stella Durst, R.N., of Akron, O.  He was graduated from the 
Grantsville High School with the first class in 1923.  In September, 1924, he 
entered Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky, and received the bachelor of arts 
degree in 1929.  He returned to Asbury Theological Seminary in September 1929, 
and would have completed the course and received the bachelor of divinity degree 
in 1931.  He had been licensed to preach by the West Virginia Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and acted as supply last year.  He and Rev. Shiltz, 
who entered the college at the same time as Mr. Durst, were very close friends 
and they were selling books and enrolling members in the World Purity Federation 
this summer, and were living with the former's parents at Geneva, Ohio.
  Melvin was a splendid, industrious young man, of good habits and character and 
possibilities of a future in the life work of serving others, which he had 
chosen as his profession.  He was a member of the New Germany Methodist Church 
and was very active in all departments of the church when at home.  Rev. L. G. 
Robinson, a former pastor, had much influence over Melvin when here and through 
him he entered college to study for the ministry.
  The funeral which was held Saturday afternoon at the New Germany Methodist 
church, was one of the largest held at New Germany for many years.  He was 
widely known in the county and nearby West Virginia counties.  The church and 
adjoining yard were over-crowded with relatives and friends.  Rev. A. C. Bell, 
the pastor, preached a very comforting and impressive sermon.  His text was: 
"Thy son liveth."
  The District superintendent, W. M. Shultz, of Fairmont; Rev. L. G. Robinson, 
of Wallace, W.Va., his friend, Rev. F. A. Shiltz, each spoke of his life as an 
example for others and the high respect they had for him.
  The floral tributes were many and beautiful.  The pallbearers were Sylvian 
Durst, Austin Kamp, Willie Warnick, Dallas Durst, Miles Livengood and Elmer 
Durst.
  Several very beautiful and appropriate selections were rendered by the Springs 
Quartet.
  Among those who attended the funeral were Dr. and Mrs. W. M. Shultz, Fairmont, 
W.Va., Rev. and Mrs. L. G. Robinson and children, Wallace, W.Va.; Rev. F. A. 
Shiltz and Miss Elliott, Geneva, O.; Miss Stella and Robert Durst, Akron, O.

Meyersdale Republican, July 17, 1930