Rev. Melvin Russell "Pink" Toy

The Rev. Melvin Russell “Pink” Toy, 95, of Kittanning, died, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, at ACMH Hospital.

He was born on July 27, 1922, in Tarentum, to the late Raymond H. and Helen A. (Russell) Toy.

He retired as a mail carrier in 1985, from the Kittanning Post Office after 22 years.

Melvin served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942-1946, in the Combat Engineers building roads through China, Burma, and India.

He had “Let’s Go to Sunday School” on WACB radio in Kittanning.

Melvin was an Assistant Pastor for Franklin Union Baptist Church for several years, he also pastored two churches at the same time for 11 years, the Kaylor Baptist Church and the Pine Creek Baptist Church. He also served as the assistant pastor of the Homewood Baptist Church for 28 years. Melvin served as the chaplain of AMVETS Post 13 in Kittanning, and he would give Bibles to every veteran at the Mechling Shakley Veterans Center, where he would also hold services.

Melvin enjoyed reconditioning guns and painting crafts.

Survivors include sons, Donald H. (Carla) Toy of Kittanning; Kenneth R. (Georgiana) Toy of Kittanning, and Dennis M. Toy, also of Kittanning; daughter, Deborah G. Graham of Kittanning; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and sister, Dorothy Patricia “Patty” (Raymond “Darl”) Boyer of Distant.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Fonda (Cornman) Toy, who died in 2000, after 57 years of marriage; grandson, Adam Toy, who died in 2011; brothers, M. James Toy and Michael R. Toy; sister, Shirley A. Frantz; and brother, Donald C. Toy.

A private graveside service will be held, and a memorial service will be held on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, at 3 p.m. at the Salem Baptist Church in Walkchalk, with the Rev. Charles Layne officiating. Interment will be in the Franklin Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Melvin’s honor to woundedwarriorproject.org. Arrangements handled by Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home, 200 S. McKean St., Kittanning.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Melvin Russell "Pink" Toy, please visit our floral store.