Melvin N. Held

Melvin N. Held, of Bryan, passed away Saturday, July 20. He was 95. Mel is survived by his siblings, Irene Brooks, Rosemary Witter, and Ronald Held; two sons, Stephen (Mary Lou) Held and Thomas (Deanne) Held; five grandchildren, Casey (Monica) Held, Shaylee (David) Uscilowski, Chayse (Katrina) Held, Cassidy (Ethan) Willitzer, and Calvin Held; and seven great-grandchildren.

Born to Robert and Amelia Held, Mel was one of eight children. He grew up helping on the family farm before graduating from Edon High School in 1947. Mel married Willene Fox in 1949 and was married for 67 years.

Mel helped lead the Bombers’ baseball team to the state semifinals, including striking out all 21 batters he faced in a single game against West Unity. Mel caught the attention of scouts and went on to play professionally for 13 seasons, including 1956 with the Baltimore Orioles.

Given the nickname “Country” by his teammates, highlights of Mel’s baseball career included traveling to every state in the continental United States, as well as a trip to Cuba, where he dined with Fidel Castro after playing in an international exhibition game. With Baltimore, Mel pitched against Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Hank Bauer in Yankee Stadium, and once used a locker next to Satchel Paige in spring training for the St. Louis Browns.

Returning home to Edon after his baseball career, Mel was co-owner and operator of the Edon Hardware from 1960 until 1992. After retiring, Mel remained active in his community, while enjoying traveling with his wife and spending time with his grandchildren. Mel was always willing to lend a helping hand, and was especially proud of donating to the Red Cross, where he donated blood over 300 times.

Preceding him in death were his wife; brothers, Richard and LeRoy Held; sisters, Erma Wuebben and LaRue Reitzel, and granddaughter Mattie Held. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024 from 10:00am-12:00pm at Krill Funeral Home, 204 West Indiana Street, Edon, Ohio. Private family services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Donations may be made to the Edon Baseball Program, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, or the American Red Cross.