Melvin L. “Ledru” Gray, 92 passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at his home, on the ancestral Mock farm near North Webster. He was born at home on March 20, 1923, in Pierceton, (near Ridinger Lake) to Lester John Newton and Hazel Mildred (Mock) Gray, who were descendants of two local pioneering families.

He was a lifetime area resident and attended North Webster High School. On June 10, 1949, at the Salem Church in Bremen, he married Mildred Pauline Lamprecht who survives after 66 years of marriage. He was formerly employed at Union Tool in Warsaw, Barth Manufacturing in Milford, and was a security guard for Reams and Stuart.

He was a member of the North Webster United Methodist Church and formerly attended the Mock Christian Church (Country Bible Church) and Morris Chapel United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife: Mildred Gray, Leesburg; two daughters: Carolyn Irene (Glenn) Meeks, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; and Meody Ann (Dan) Ewald, Leesburg; son: M. Lynn Gray, Leesburg; two grandchildren: Eric and Cassandra Ewald; two brothers-in-law: Paul Lamprecht; Harold Baker; cousins: Danny (Nancy) Gray; Tony (Pat) Strombeck; and Gladys (Strombeck) Culver; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his parents; sister: Luella Shoemaker; brother: Charles Gray; and nephew: LaVene Gray.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Owen Family Funeral Home, North Webster. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in the funeral home, with Pastor Byron Kaiser of the church officiating. Burial will follow in Mock Addition of the North Webster Cemetery.

Memorial bequest may be given to American Diabetes Association, Alexandria, Va., St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., or Parlyzed Veterans of America, Wilton, New Hampshire. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send condolences to the family in Mr. Gray’s memory please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com.