Reverend Melvin L. Schaper

Reverend Melvin L. Schaper departed this life on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, in Ochelata, OK. Services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Bible Holiness Church in Ochelata. Graveside services will be 4 pm on the same day at Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, KS. Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m. at the Bible Holiness Church. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home. Melvin Louis Schaper was born Aug. 30, 1920 in Troy, MO, the first child of Albert Henry and Willie Mae (Conley) Schaper. He grew up on the family farm and was his father’s main helper. He began high school at age 18, after his younger siblings were able to help carry the load at home. After graduation he went on to college, obtaining several degrees. He attended God’s Bible School and University of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1941-1943, then transferred to Greenville College in Illinois. He earned degrees in Education and Theology: BA, Greenville College 1945; BD (now MDiv), Asbury Seminary 1947; ThM, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1948; and MS Ed, Pittsburg State Teachers College, 1962. He later received an Honorary Doctorate of Ministries degree from God’s Bible School. He was married to Carol Joy Firkins on Nov. 11, 1948, in Downey, CA, and they moved to Independence where they assisted in founding the Independence Bible School. Seven children were born into their loving home at Independence: Nathan Louis, Ruth Elizabeth, Charles Melvin, Albert Keith, Stephen Neil, Quentin Philip and Kent Firkins. In 1964, God called Melvin and Joy to the island of Grenada, where together they founded the St. John’s Christian Secondary School. Melvin also taught at Independence Junior College, Pittsburg State Teachers College Lab School, Kansas City College and Bible School, and God’s Bible School and College. He was a licensed minister of the Bible Holiness Church (formerly Fire Baptized Holiness Church) headquartered in Independence, and a member of the Bible Holiness Church, Ochelata. Rev. Schaper pastored churches in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Grenada, as well as serving on various governing boards and leadership positions for his denomination. He also served on the Board of God’s Bible School in Ohio. In 2001, Rev. and Mrs. Schaper were honored by the Prime Minister and Gov. General of Grenada for outstanding service in the field of education in the nation. He was also recently given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Committee of the Grenada 2015 Award Week, as the Principal who had the most uplifting impact in Grenada during the decade of the 1970s. One of the hardest days of his life was Nov. 12, 2010, when God called his loving wife Joy home to heaven. On Oct. 26, 2013, Melvin was united in marriage to Evalyn Rose Nielsen in Bethany, OK. For the last 22 months of his life, Evalyn beautified his home with her loving ways and beautiful paintings. His first love, after God, was his family. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed gardening, traveling and spending time with family and many friends. He leaves to mourn: his wife Evalyn of the home; seven children, Nathan, Ruth, Charles, Albert, Stephen, Quentin and Kent; five daughters-in-law, Diane, Janette, Della, Lavonna and Pam; one son-in-law Gary Schenck; 23 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren, one sister Irene Bergfeld, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He also leaves his church family in both the U.S. and Grenada, as well as present and past students and faculty of the Independence Bible School, St. John's Christian Secondary School and God's Bible School. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol Joy Schaper; his parents; one sister Mildred Miller; three brothers, Benjamin, Albert Jr, and John; and one great-grandson Austin Hollenbeck. Memorials have been established with the Independence Bible School, Independence, KS; St. John’s Christian Secondary School, Gouyave, St. John’s Grenada; and God’s Bible School, Cincinnati, OH. Memorials may be sent care of Albert Schaper, 304 Camp Drive, Independence, KS 67301. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with Rev. Schaper’s family at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Reverend Melvin L. Schaper

August 30, 1920 - August 9, 2015