Obituary of Rev. Melvin D Lavender

Colonie – Rev. Melvin D. Lavender, 95, of Niskayuna and formerly of Colonie, N.Y. went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. He was born in Watervliet and was the son of the late John A. and M. Myrtle Smith Lavender. He graduated from Troy High School, received his BA from Union College, Schenectady and his Masters at Albany State College. He received Local Pastors Degree from Boston University. He was a United Methodist Pastor serving in Valley Falls, Rotterdam Junction and St. James United Methodist Church in Cohoes until his retirement in 1986. He served as interim Pastor at several Churches after his retirement. For over 30 years he ran Lavender’s Book Store in Troy. He also taught Junior High English in Schenectady. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Rev. Donna LaFrancis Lavender of Niskayuna, his four children, Carol Lavender (Ned Depew) of Stuyvesant, N.Y., Stephen (Beth) Lavender of Landisville, Pa., John A. (Yvonne) Lavender of Bolton Landing, N.Y. and Jonathan (Helen) Lavender of Albany, N.Y. Brother of Naomi (Jay) Miller of Seattle, WA, he was predeceased by four brothers, Norman, Raymond, John Milton and Charles Wesley Lavender. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Jason (Mary) Lavender, Thomas and Timothy Moriarty, Nathan and Elijah Lavender and two great grandchildren, Kailynn Moriarty and Ethan Lavender along with several nieces and nephews. Funeral Service will be held Monday 1:00 at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Colonie. Relatives and friends may call at the DUFRESNE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 216 Columbia Street, Cohoes on Sunday from 2 to 4pm. Those who wish to remember Rev. Lavender in a special way may make contributions to the Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Colonie in his memory. .