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H. Melvin 'Mel' Berwager, 71, a retired lay employee of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died from a heart attack May 9 in Baltimore. He was 'sitting in his favorite chair with his feet propped up and the television on,' said the Rev. Robert Carter who conducted a funeral service May 13 at Waugh UMC.

Berwager was an administrative assistant in the conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits. He retired in 1996 after nearly 22 years of service to the board, and returned when needed as a volunteer, particularly to help with billings.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1957.

He was active throughout his life in Waugh UMC, his family?s church, at one time chairing the administrative council.

Berwager was an only child who never married. After his father?s death in 1978, he stayed with his mother, Beulah, caring for her, driving her to church events, shopping, restaurants and Saturday drives in the country, said his cousin, Charles T. Smith, of Gettysburg, Pa.

Smith and Berwager were close friends. Smith remembered how much he 'loved to hear Mel play his steel guitar.'

Survivors include his cousin and other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to Waugh UMC, Long Green Pike, P.O. Box 144, Glen Arm, MD 21057.