Dr. Harmon Lee Schmelzenbach, DD., age 83 of Floral City, FL passed away January 2, 2019 at Diamond Ridge Health & Rehab Center. Dr. Schmelzenbach was born in Nampa, Idaho on December 18, 1935 to the late Elmer and Mary (Snyder) Schmelzenbach and came to Citrus County 10 years ago from Hudson, FL. He was a member of the Hernando Church of The Nazarene.
Harmon is a third generation missionary, having grown up in Africa. From childhood he knew the Swazi language and grew up loving the people and communicating with them in their own language. His grandfather was a pioneer for the work of the Church of the Nazarene in Africa, establishing the national church in the countries of Swaziland, Mozambique and South Africa. In 1960, following college, Harmon and Beverly were appointed to the Republic of South Africa, serving for the next 34 years. Their work eventually comprised of eight nationally led districts, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Eastern Zaire, and constitutes hundreds of churches. The training of pastors led to the laying of the foundations for Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi, Kenya in 1986, and is now fully operational, accredited and under national leadership.
In 1994 Harmon and Beverly accepted the assignment of “Missionaries-at-Large” from the Church. This has involved them in traveling across the US and Canada sharing his passion for missions, attending conventions worldwide, the “Jesus Film” project and the establishment of national work in the country of Hungary. In 2001 they retired having serviced continuously as missionaries for just over 40 years.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 63 years, Beverly Ann Schmelzenbach, Floral City, FL; one son, Harmon R. Schmelzenbach and his wife, Cindy, now 4th generation missionaries, serving in Papua New Guinea; two daughters, LeAnn Steen and husband Geron, Floral City; Pamela Sue Wachtel and husband, Robert, Smithville, TN; his brother, Dennis Schmelzenbach, Oklahoma City, OK; his sister, Marilyn Wyss, Tucson, AZ; 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Dr. Schmelzenbach will be remembered at a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Friday, January 11th at 11:00 AM from the Hernando Church of The Nazarene with Rev. Randy Hodges officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Nampa, Idaho. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the ministerial students at Africa Nazarene University c/o General Treasurer, Global Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene, P.O. Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184-3116. (indicate 133102 in check memo). Direct link: https://give.nazarene.org/donate/f/133102
The Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory is assisting the family.
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