Melvin Duke - Online Memorial Website

Uncle Mel was a phenominal gentle man.  He will be greatly missed.  I have many wonderful childhood memories that surround him as does Zachary.  I am blessed for having had him in my life.

><>Dear Mary Lou and Family,

 

I have been away on the road for 1 & 1/2 months of mission and ministry and have just flown back late this afternoon to my home base here in Midland, Texas.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to be with you and your family, friends, & Nav staff for the service in Glen Eyrie. 

 

As Mel's memorial service draws near tomorrow, the words of Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 come to mind & bring back a golden flood of memories... 

 

 1 For everything there is a season and a time,
       and a time for every matter under heaven:

 2 a time to be born and a time to die,
       a time to plant and a time to uproot,

 3 ...a time to heal,
       a time to tear down and a time to build,

 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
       a time to mourn and a time to dance,

 5 ...a time to embrace...,

 6 a time to search and a time to give up,
       a time to keep...,

 7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
       a time to be silent and a time to speak...

 

I will be eternally grateful to our good and gracious Lord Jesus for arranging the time & season for me to serve with Mel and Mary Lou on their Nav team in both Russia & Estonia.  Those were special unforgetable days spent together in a "labor of love" during a mighty move of His Spirit in His harvest fields there.

 

As a pastor and evangelistic missionary, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what New Testament discipleship & disciple-making was all about...until I joined the Navigators. In July of 1993, the Holy Spirit led me from congregational ministry to serve for 11 years with the CoMission in Bulgaria, Russia, & in new work in Estonia. My mentors & team coaches-Mel, Mary Lou, Max Weighmink, & Ed Tubbs helped this greenhorn from West Texas discover, learn, & apply "real" Scriptural disciplemaking.  

 

Times in Russia & Estonia were often "very hard, but also very, very good!"  Our time there was made so much better by Mel & Lou's kind, patient, and practical leadership.  They were often Sonbeams of love,joy, & peace shining in a very dark part of the world.  Mel & Lou together always had a wonderful gift of hospitality and T.L.C. for all who visited them in their apartment. 

 

Besides teaching me how to become a more effecient & disciplined servant of Christ, Mel taught me the finer points of prayer-walking & prayer talking from the Old & New Testament Scriptures.  One of the neatest letters I ever got from Mel shared his memories of when he and I would get together for our special one-on-one prayer sessions outside, come rain, sleet, snow or shine. 

 

On regular appointed days would get very early at the crack of dawn in Tallinn-(capital of Estonia) and head over to a special part of our town to pray God's blessings and grace for the people on the buses & public transportation, our beloved Allika congregation where we attended, the pastors & lay-leaders of Estonia and the government leaders of the capital and the country. 

 

We often sensed the presence & power of the Lord's spirit as we labored together in these times of prayer.  We often prayed that the Lord Jesus would give all of us on the Nav team in Estonia open-doors and abiding fruit so that we might be effective servants and instruments of His Word and Spirit.

 

Ecclesiates also speaks of a time to laugh...I will never forget the time that Mel, Mary Lou and I attended a special team retreat at our favorite retreat conference center called "Roosta Village" on the western coast of Estonia.  This happened in winter during an extended brutal cold spell.  One night, it got down to minus 31 degrees below zero and we had to sleep in our cabin with every bit of warm clothes we had packed just to keep from becoming human popcicles. 

 

The next day we met in Mel and Lou's cabin.  It was so cold that we had to stop our team meeting every now & then to run inside our sauna just to stay warm.

Mel and Lou even had me take a picture of them in the sauna with their fur hats, parkas, & insulated snow boots on.

 

When the Estonian young people on the Roosta staff found out what we "strange" Americans were doing to keep warm in the sauna "with all our clothes on"...they laughed themselves to tears.  With frozen smiles we just shuffled off like penguins to the main lodge in front of a big roaring log fire to thaw out & continue our team meeting.

 

I wish like everything that I could be there at the memorial service to honor Mel with you.  It was not meant to be so...Yet, when I see Mel & Lou in my pictures of Russia and Estonia, I will never forget his "heart as big as Texas and his smile to match! 

 

In our times of parting, I always told him..."never goodbye Mel, only God bless you 'til we meet again...if not here, there or in the air!"  Because of Jesus, we will see Mel again inside heaven's pearly gates and he will be eagerly awaiting to welcome us home to be with him and the Lord..together forever.

 

Until we hear from one another, may God continue to "abundantly bless" all the fruits of your labors of love for Him Lou, the Navigators, and all the people in your part of His vineyard.  Love & blessings in Christ, Pastor Don R<><His fisher of men in West Texas & beyond!-Mk. 1:17

 

                                              ~~~><>+<><~~~

 

            

 

 

Dear Mary Lou and family,

 

I have been praying for you ever since I got a call and email from Jenny (Meador) Hicks that Mel had gone to be with Jesus. I have enjoyed reading the comments from so many people on this website.

 

The Lord is good. His mercy is over all he has made. As I read about how the Lord used Mel and you, Mary Lou, I am encouraged to see God's faithfulness to you. I am thankful for your patient, faithful ministry to a  rag tag team living in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1993. We had lots of challenges that year and the Lord gave you two perseverance to lead us through it. Your labors are not in vain.  "Speaking for all" on the team, thank you.

 

One memory that stands out to me is the time our team, and Mel particulary, was invited to address the students at Russian Orthodox Seminary. If I'm not mistaken, Mel read from Psalm 93. It's an amazing thing to share the truth of Scripture with those students.  "Thy throne is established from of old; Thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, ..More than the sounds of many waters, .the Lord on high is mighty."

 

Love, Valerie Morrison

We received the news of Mel's death today when we received a letter from the Navigators.  We first met Mel and Mary Lou at the Christian Serviceman's Center while stationed at Bitburg , Germany in 1964.  They had already begun their ministry with the Navigators.  It was my good fortune to have Mary Lou as my discipler.  Her ministry impacted my christian walk in a way that has blessed many others down thru the years.\\

 

Mel has joined that "...great cloud of witnesses..." mentioned in Hebrews 12.  "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."  Psa 116:15.  We grieve with you over the loss of a friend.  We rejoice with you over Mel entering into the presence of our savior.  We will all meet again.

 Dear Mary Lou and the family!

Allika Baptist Church in Tallinn, Estonia sends our deep condolences to you! We remember Mel as the brave soldier for Christ and the wonderful christian brother. We are grateful to the Lord for him and looking forward to meet him again, but in totally different situation!

„God doesn´t miss anything. He knows perfectly well all the love you´ve shown him by helping needy Christians...“ /Hebrews 6:10 The Message/

From Behalf of Allika Baptist Church

Helari Puu

Pastor

 

We first heard of Mel and Mary Lou back in the early seventies while we were in New England and they were ministering at Ft Hood, Tx.  Our paths crossed face to face when we had the privilege of following in their footsteps ministering on the Island of Okinawa.  We were able to visit them when they lived in Riverside and have kept in touch over the years.  We will miss him.  Mel has been my (Pete's) "Hero in the Faith " for the past 30 years.  His legacy is one I will cherish, and we look forward to sharing with him in eternity.

When I was stationed at Lowery AFB near Denver in 1956-57 I became acquainted with Mel through the Christian Servicemen's Center & Home in Denver. Mel was a real help to me in my Christian life & growth in the Lord. He was our transportation & good friend in the Lord. I have many blessed memories of our times together with Harry Horn & other servicemen. I want to express my thanksgiving to God & his family for Mel's life & testimony.

Rev. Larry Woodward

Retired Pastor & Missionary

now Chaplain in the Civil Air Patrol

I remember how 3 years ago I spent a few wonderful days with your family in Estonia. I really enjoyed your company. It was great that Mary Lou and I got to share the room at the women's conference. It was fun to see how Mel tried to keep up with all the technological advances of our time like using the call systems over the Internet, cell phones. It was nice to get his SMS messages after I came back to Omsk. When I was watching your family I remember wishing to be just as active and involved in people's lives as you are, when I reach your age. It is hard to believe that Mel is not here with us anymore. Our hearts go out to you Mary Lou as you are passing through this valley. I love the words of Jesus that he said after the death of his friend Lazarus: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

Dear Mary Lou , I just found out Mel's been in heaven 3 weeks and I had no idea until this evening while checking my email. The last time I talked to him was just after you returned to the states earlier this year. My heart goes out to you Lou and to your family. I have just asked The Lord to introduce Mel to my Dad who is also there . Lou you and Mel have influenced me so much in my life and I thank The Lord for what you instilled into my life while at Langley. May God uphold you during the days ahead with His mighty hand of comfort. I am going to miss Mel's comforting voice during the times we emailed or talked over the phone in years past. I think of a song I sing when facing my own trials which says:" God leads His dear children along, some through the waters, some through the flood, some through the fire but all through the blood; some through great sorrow but God gives a song in the night seasons and all the day long." I pray Lou that God will give you a song especially during this time. I will call soon. In Christ's Love

 

Tim and Nancy    

Dear Mary Lou and Family, We had not heard of Mel's Homegoing until receiving this email this morning. It is such a surprise as Paul and I had been remembering you both just a few days ago as we often do. We met you in 1994 in St. Petersburg and you and Mel made a huge impact on our lives. We had come to Russia to relieve the Eynon's Team who served there the previous year and you invited us to your flat. And occasionally after that we had met with you and each time were left with the impression of two people totally sold out to serve our Lord Jesus. We have followed your service in Estonia with awe as we know how hard you have worked through the years to be a part of that culture. And you did it because you love the Estonians - but more than that you love Jesus! I (Sue) remember Mel almost every time I page through the Proverbs and Psalms as he was dedicated to read one each day as I recall, and taught from them so effectively as he knew them so well! We pray that God will give your family the strength and faith to grieve in a healthy way for this very dear man that you all love so much. Thank you for being a testimony to many around the world of The Great Commission. Love in our Lord Jesus, Paul and Sue Heitzmann - Cleveland, Ohio

Dear Family,

Please accept our deepest condolences and for your loss.

 

Roosta Holiday Village from Estonia

Dear family of Mel

 

We hurt with you at the loss of Mel.  Heaven is richer and we all will miss him for now.  When i think of Mel, the word inspiration comes to mind.  His kind strength, his perseverant love in the darkness of the former Soviet Union, his thoughtful words of wisdom to those of us serving nearby.  Mel was a pillar and a father to those of us who colabored with him and Mary Lou overseas.  The memory of a recent evening out in Tallinn will remained etched in my heart and mind forever.  We laughed until we had tears though we all had some challenges we were in the midst of.  You are in our prayers and we also celebrate with you that he is now in glory!  love, susan simpson

I didn't know your father, yet I met him. I haven't heard him speak, yet I heard his voice. I have never seen him, yet somehow, I have looked into his eyes. He has never met me, yet he has blessed my life. I have never worked with him, yet I have seen his hands hard at work. I have never walked beside him, yet he was there with me. He has never told me what I'm doing wrong or counseled me, yet he has given me advice and encouraged me.

Steve, I didn't know your dad, yet he lives and breathes through you. You have touched my life and helped me in ways you won't know. I envy and look up to you and applaud your courage and steadfastness. You have been a great brother to me in Christ and your father has left a great and compelling legacy in you.

Thank You and May God, our almighty father, continue to bless you and your family in your time of grief, celebration and healing and beyond all your years and expectations.

My only regret is that we met one another only briefly. You are a great man, and I'm sure your father has a lot to do with that.


With Love,

Chuck and Lisa Roseberry
From the New Hope Christian Fellowship Church in Hawaii and Mens Fraternity.
71 Ranlo Avenue
Gastonia, North Carolina 28054

Mel looked me up in 1965 and met with me several times in Ft. Walton Beach during my senior year in high school. I was touched by his willingness to look up a total stranger and to encourage me to continue growing in Christ.

 

We kept in touch for 45 years as we moved across the globe in different ministry and overseas missions, praying and supporting one another.

 

It was a priviledge and a joy to co labor with Mel and Mary Lou and to be with them as Mel spent his last few days in this life. We're looking forward to meeting again in person in eternity with the Lord.

Mel and Mary Lou are both very special to me. They spent countless hours with me when I was stationed in Denver in 1959 and 1960, and I have never forgotten. We visited several times since then: in Wyoming, at Glen Eyrie, in Riverside, and once at our home in Dallas. Last year I found his blog, and we traded several emails. I will greatly miss him, as I am sure many will. But he is home now, with his Lord! You and the rest of his family will be in my prayers.