OSAGE CITY, KS (October 22, 2014) — Retired Covenant pastor and missionary Homer Melgren, 90, died Monday, October 20.

A family graveside service was held today at Rapp Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 7 to 9 p.m. this evening at Osage Community Covenant Church in Osage City. A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Homer was born September 26, 1924, in his childhood home near Osage City. He graduated from Emporia State University with degrees in history and philosophy. He graduated from North Park Seminary in 1956.

Homer married Betty Norman on August 15, 1953, in Chicago. She survives.

He served as pastor at Lake City Covenant Church in Seattle, Washington, and interim pastorates in Ohio, Kansas, and Illinois.

He and Betty initially were to serve in Congo in 1960, but instability in the country after it achieved independence on June 30 that year forced the couple to remain in the United States. They went on to serve in Taiwan from 1961 to 1973.

Homer then served again as pastor of the Osage City congregation (previously Stotler Covenant Church) from 1981 to 1990.

Besides his wife, he is survived by five children, Rick Melgren (Suzanne), Dan Melgren (Kaye), Steve Melgren (Linda), Nancy Reusser (Layne), and Jim Melgren (Glenda); 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant World Missions and Community Covenant Church.