Melvin H. "Mel" Fry , age 69 of Elwood, passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Ascension / St. Vincent Heart Center in Carmel after a sudden illness at home.  He was born August 1, 1953 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Carl H. and Margaret L. (Butler) Fry.  Mel was a 1971 graduate of Frankton High School.  He worked at the Elwood Call-Leader & Elwood Publishing Company for 26 years as a press operator and retired from that position in 1995.  Mel later became the lead custodian and caretaker of East Main Street Christian Church in Elwood where he worked for another 18 years until his health prevented him from continuing.  He married Marcy R. (Cole) on July 30, 1994, and they shared over 28 loving years of marriage together with their blended families.

Mel was a devoted member of East Main Street Christian Church in Elwood where he was a team member for the Heartland Great Banquet as well as a member of the building committee for the former church renovation and expansion project.  Mel enjoyed the blessings of time outdoors in nature.  He loved nothing more than cutting and splitting wood on his expansive property and taking walks through the woods in solitude.  He enjoyed operating machinery of all kinds including tractors, mowers, his "old reliable" truck, and heavy equipment.  Mel and Marcy proudly hand-built their own log cabin home just outside of Elwood finishing the construction in 2013.  Mel was a longtime member of the Elwood Conservation Club.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his two dogs, "Rookie" and "Sadie" and cheering on the Indianapolis Colts.  He and all his family attended a Colts game together just last weekend which will forever be memorable.  More than anything, Mel was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who absolutely loved his family more than words can convey.  Mel will be remembered for his patience, humility, and kindness to others – always finding the good in people and different situations.

Mel's family legacy includes his beloved wife, Marcy Fry of Elwood; 4 children, Ben (Diana) Fry of Dunedin, FL, Andy Fry (Jen Lauda) of Palm Harbor, FL, Troy (Leah) Robertson of Fishers, and Kaylie (Jason) Phillips of Elwood; 3 sisters, Rhoda Waymire of Spring Hill, FL, Connie Kirby of Tocca, GA, and Brenda Short of Hiawassee, GA; 6 grandchildren, Kaitlyn Fry, Claire Robertson, Elliot Robertson, Oliver Robertson, Olivia "Oli" Fry, and Leigha Phillips; 3 great-grandchildren, Liam, Maverick, and Hudson; sister-in-law, Marjorie (Mark) Morgan; brother-in-law, Marty (Stephanie) Cole; and several nieces and nephews.  Mel was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Shirley Fry; 4 brothers-in-law, Tom Waymire, Jerry Short, Jim Kirby, and Matthew Cole; and Mel's in-laws, Jim and Beth Cole.

A funeral service celebrating Mel's life will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at East Main Street Christian Church in Elwood with Rev. Roger Gardner officiating.  Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 pm on Friday, January 20 ^th at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood and from 11 am to 12 pm prior to the funeral on Saturday at the church.  Cremation will follow the services.  Memorial contributions may be made to the East Main Street Christian Church Building Fund, 1801 Main Street, Elwood, IN 46036.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.copherfeslermay.com.