Reverend Orville Herbert Meth, 88 of Minot, died on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Granville Elder Care. Orville was born on September 23, 1924 in Germantown Township, Wells County, ND to Gust and Elsie (Seibold) Meth. He was raised on a farm near Bremen, ND, attended a rural school and graduated from Cathay High School in 1942.

Orville accepted the Lord as his Savior while a sophomore in high school and was baptized and became a member of Germantown Baptist Church. He helped his father on the farm until the Lord called him into the ministry in 1947. He attended North American Baptist Seminary in Rochester, NY.

On June 18, 1949 Orville married Irma Jean Edinger in Cathay, ND making their home in Sioux Falls SD where the seminary had relocated. On June 1, 1952 he graduated from the seminary and was ordained at Germantown Baptist Church.

From 1952 until 1972, Orville served as pastor of five churches including Odessa WA (1952-1956), Stockton, CA (1956-1957), Venturia, ND (1957-1962), Turtle Lake, ND (1962-1966) and Elgin, IA (1966-1972). While in Iowa, he was instrumental in founding Village Creek Bible Camp in Lansing, IA. From 1972 until 1986, he served as Chaplain of the Baptist Home in Bismarck. After retirement, he served in several interim pastorates and provided pulpit supply. As a member of the Bismarck Baptist Church, he served as moderator and deacon.

In 1982, Orville helped establish the Heritage Commission in Sioux Falls, SD, the archival library of the North American Baptist Conference. He served as chair of the Board of Governors of the Commission. In accordance with his special interest in NAB history, he authored the book God Was There , a history of Germantown Baptist Church near Fessenden, ND. Another special joy was to preserve the stained glass windows from Cathay Baptist Church, which are now displayed in Sioux Falls Seminary.

Orville was as a caring, loving, generous person and had a vital prayer life. His prayers were a comfort and encouragement to others. He had a passion for the lost. One of Orville's hobbies was collecting and polishing rocks which he displayed. He loved the family farm and would visit whenever he could, recalling many fond memories.

He is survived by his daughters Deborah (Jerry) Weimer of Modesto CA and Esther (Dean) Redington of Minot; son: Daniel (Rebecca) Meth of Norfolk VA; grandchildren Krista (Craig) Keathley of Vero Beach, FL, Tim Weimer of Modesto, CA, Naomi Redington of Minot, Nathaniel Redington of Minot, David Meth of Norfolk, VA, and Dorothy Meth of Norfolk, VA; four great-grandchildren; sister Elaine Blinn of Phoenix, AZ. Orville was preceded in death by his parents, wife Irma, brother Dayton and granddaughter Irma Mary Jean Clark.

Celebration of the Life of Reverend Orville Meth: Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Minot.
Graveside Service: Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at Germantown Baptist Church Cemetery, rural Fessenden.
Visitation: Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the North American Baptist Heritage Commission, First Baptist Church Future Expansion Fund or memorial of preference.