Harvey J. Meppelink

WEST BOYLSTON - Rev. Harvey J. Meppelink, 87, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Dodge Park Rest Home in Worcester. He was born in Lynnville, Iowa, the son of Henry E. Meppelink and Wilhelmina Veldheuizen Meppelink and grew up in Lynnville, Iowa.

Pastor Harvey's life was centered around his strong faith in God, family and service to others. As a young man he chose to study God’s Word by attending Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. He put himself through college while working and singing in a quartet. While at Bible School F. Jean Hussey caught his eye and she quickly became his ‘honey’. The couple shared 59 years of marriage. Their years together were full of starting new churches and years of ministry. During this time Harvey and Jean participated in mission work abroad including Kenya and Mexico.

Pastor Harvey was ordained as a Minister with the Assemblies of God. He served as Associate Pastor, planted a church in Chelsea, MI until he was appointed the first Pastor to be supported by the National Office of the Assemblies of God to plant a church in New England, Norwalk, CT to be exact. Church planting was Harvey’s passion. He taught a ‘boot camp’ to train young pastors how to plant new churches. He later served as Associate Pastor at New Life Assembly of God in Leominster, retiring in 2010. Pastor Harvey also served on the New England Regional Board for Teen Challenge, to aid in the rehabilitation of drug affected teens. In his later years he attended church with his daughters being involved in Senior small groups. He was a gifted woodworker and was known for building his trademark pulpits for each new church he helped to establish.

Pastor Harvey was predeceased by his wife, F. Jean (Hussey) Meppelink in 2012 and his son, David J Meppelink in 2014. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters, Denise K. Larson and her husband, Donald of Summerville, SC and Deborah Kerr of Westborough and Pamela Meppelink of Arlington, MA; his grandchildren: Melissa, Rebecca, Virginia, Deborah, Craig, Curt, Carissa, Amanda and Douglas; 20 great grandchildren; as wells as nieces and nephews.

The Meppelink family would like to thank the staff at Dodge Park Rest Home for the exceptional care that Pastor Harvey received during his time there.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a calling hour from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at Living Word Church, 30 Tyler Prentice Road, Worcester. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Living Word Church which will be funneled to organizations that Pastor whole-heartedly supported. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling.