Melvin Lee Hoch, age 88 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 29, 2024 at the Laurels of Defiance. He was born on September 4, 1935 to Carl and Mary Gail (Wolford) Hoch in Bluffton, Ohio. On January 22, 1956 he married Phyllis Scott, who preceded him in death on July 1, 2020. Melvin was a faithful member of Grace Episcopal Church. He worked for 32 years at General Motors in Defiance until his retirement in 1998. He was a member of  Free & Accepted Masons of Defiance and Sherwood, Northwest Ohio Blacksmiths, Michigan Artists Blacksmith Association, Defiance Co. Fish & Game, and was a Life Member of the NRA. He was a volunteer at Auglaize Village as a Blacksmith,  and was a Volunteer Fire Fighter with the City of Defiance. Melvin had a passion for blacksmithing and gunsmithing. Melvin will be greatly missed by his daughters, Elizabeth Hoch and Catherine (Lee) Decker, all of Defiance, two grandchildren, Christine (David) Limbaugh of Pleasant Prairie, WI and Jessica Hoch of Knoxville, TN, and two great-grandchildren, Troy and Alaina Limbaugh. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Hoch, son, David Hoch, and grandson Joshua Rethmel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements. Memorials are suggested to Grace Episcopal Church. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.