Mel Wygant

Melvin D. Wygant entered this life on October 6, 1942, and departed to join his beloved wife, Maureen, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

He leaves behind cherished memories and a legacy of love, strength, and kindness.

Mel was born and spent his childhood in the Oil City, Pennsylvania area, and music became a large part of his life. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the conservatory at Capital University, where he met Maureen. They married in June of 1965 and moved to Crestline, Ohio, where she finished college and he was the band director at the high school. After a few years, and the birth of their daughter, Marla, they moved back to Columbus, where Mel earned his Master’s in Music Education from The Ohio State University. Mel’s next teaching job took them to Wilmington, Delaware, where their son Michael was born.

A few years later, Mel left teaching, and he and Maureen changed careers to sales. They moved the family to Virginia, Georgia, and New Jersey as they worked new sales territories.

Another sales transfer brought the family back to the Columbus area, and a few years later, Mel had the opportunity to start his own business, forming Computer Helper Publishing in 1987, creating and supporting software for churches and nonprofits. Together, Mel and Maureen built the company to what it is today, with thousands of customers across the country, and, most importantly, an amazing staff of co-workers.

Mel and Maureen retired in 2019, and spent many years before and after retirement splitting their time between Columbus, Ohio and Sebring, Florida, where they enjoyed their time golfing, spending time with friends, and being involved in their churches. Their Ohio church was Gates-Fourth United Methodist, and their Sebring church was Emmanuel United Church of Christ.

Mel particularly enjoyed golf and travel, and he and Maureen left nothing on the table in that respect. They traveled most of the world, marking off many locations on their list of places they wanted to visit.

Mel particularly looked forward to the annual “Martini Major” golf weekends with his brother-in-law Gordon and Gordon’s brother and cousin.

Mel is predeceased by his beloved wife, Maureen, his son Michael, his parents Lyle and Ruth Wygant, his brother Allan Wygant, his son-in-law Clark Becker, and his brother-in-law Nathan Thomas.

He is survived by his daughter, Marla Becker (Joshua Alan), daughter-in-law Erin Wygant (Doug Dehm), his grandsons Cameron, Aidan (Iesha), and Larson Becker and Hayden and Garrett Wygant, his brother Jim (Vicki) Wygant, his sister-in-law Karen Wygant, his sister-in-law Kay Thomas, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Gordon and Elaine Moebius, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would particularly like to express appreciation to the staff at Smith’s Mill Health Center for their care, as well as the staff of Capital City Hospice.

Visitation will be Friday, August 15, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Schoedinger Northeast, 1051 E Johnstown Rd, Gahanna Ohio. A Memorial Service will follow the next day on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Gates-Fourth United Methodist Church, 119 E Gates Street, Columbus Ohio.

Donations in his honor can be made to Gates-Fourth UMC https://www.gatesfourthumc.org/donations, Emmanuel UCC https://www.euccfl.org/donate, or to the Central Ohio Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/centralohio