Melvert ByersAugust 19, 1924 - November 16, 2016Melvert Wendall Byers, (Mel) 92, passed away peacefully on the morning of November 16th, 2016 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise, Oregon. He was born on August 19th, 1924 in Dayton, Ohio to Virgil and Maude Byers.Mel grew up in the Portland Oregon area, attending Multnomah grade school and graduating from Benson High School. He worked in the shipyards during WWII and went on to study at Northwest Christian College. During his tenure at NCC, he was called to be to be a missionary to China, which also eventually led him through Tibet, and Burma for the next 5 years. Upon returning to the states Mel earned a Certificate in Missionary Medicine from BIOLA University, where he met his wife June Anna Marie Warden (June). After Graduating in 1952 they married, returned to northern Thailand as missionaries for the next 15 years, serving the people in the Chiang Rai Providence area. They eventually returned to the states in 1968 with 10 children in tow. Mel served as the pastor of the Church of Christ Church in Stayton, Oregon, until 1980 when he moved to Yamhill, Oregon to serve as the pastor of the Yamhill Christian Church. Mel finished out his life long journey as a pastor at the Sheridan Christian Church, in 2009 when he made the decision to stay home and care for his wife until her passing in 2011. Mel continued to Minister and mentor close friends and family until his passing.Mel married June on June 5, 1952 after they both attended BIOLA. They were happily married for 59 years. Mel enjoyed painting, writing, astronomy, motorcycles and anything that would get him to into the "Great Outdoors." He loved the stillness of the wilderness, the power of the Ocean, and the challenge of the next mountain to hike. He had an unwavering dedication and love for God, his wife, family and any person that passed his way. He touched many lives, unknowingly, in the course of his."Quietly and reverently I took one more peek through my telescope. There in all its beauty, nestled softly against the black velvet of space was "Andromeda" silently and boldly giving evidence to the majesty of God" - Mel Byers July 2001 "The reward of this earthly sojourn, no matter how restless and troubled it may be, leads to a joyful end." - Mel Byers March, 2002Mel is survived by his sister Marinda, his 10 children: Rinda, Rebecca, Melvert Jr., Robin, Rosanne, Steven, Nathan, Renee, Winston, and Jonathan. He is also survived by over 60 Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren.Mel was preceded in death by his parents Virgil and Maude; his sisters Elnora, Belva; and his brother Donald.A viewing will be held at Macy and Son Funeral Home, 135 NE Evans McMinnville, Oregon 97128, from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, on November 25th, 2016, A graveside service will be held at Pike Cemetery in Yamhill, Oregon on Saturday November 26th at 2:00pm. Reception will follow. To leave condolences, visit www.macyandson.com.