Harry Fulmer
(1945-2025)
Harry W. Fulmer Jr., 80, of Parkersburg, WV, passed away very unexpectedly at Camden Clark Memorial Hospital on October 21, 2025. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, on February 2, 1945, to Harry and Margaret Fulmer, who preceded him in death, along with a younger brother, Bobby, and, most recently, his brother-in-law, Randy Bennett. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Melanie; his children, Kevin Fulmer (Amy) and Cindy Mollish (Joe); five grandchildren, Abby, Peyton, Ellie, Lauren, and Issac; and his brother, Jerry Fulmer of New York.
Harry served for four years in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era, on thirty-two different ships, as a jet engine mechanic and drone repairman. Upon moving to Vienna, WV, he worked at Diamond Glass for 18 years as a machine repairman before the plant shut down. He then worked at Johns Manville until he was laid off.
Harry and Melanie began attending the Celebration Center of Belpre, OH, in 1988. He went on his first mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya, on Thanksgiving 1993, accompanied by other men from the church. That is where he felt “the call” to missions. From the beginning of the first trip to Africa, Harry and Mel knew they were called into the ministry. They became licensed and ordained ministers with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church Appalachian Conference. They spent several years in London, England, at the Center of International Christian Ministries (CICM) Bible College. Harry served as Dean, and Mel served as Registrar. There were over 30 nationalities that attended there. They were also blessed to minister at many churches and in many European countries. Harry studied at Southwestern Christian University in Oklahoma City, OK, and in 1994, at the age of 54, he graduated with a master’s degree in ministry.
Harry and Mel came back to the U.S. in 2000 to raise support and become career missionaries. Unfortunately, Harry became ill while raising support in North Carolina. From 2000 to early 2003, he was hospitalized over 25 times with diabetic seizures and Atrial Fibrillation, none of which he had ever experienced before coming back from England. As a result of the delay, the mission department had to let them go, as they were unable to raise the necessary support. In 2003, they were asked to serve as house parents at Falcon’s Children’s Home in Falcon, NC. In June of 2004, they went to Oxford, NC, to work at the Masonic Home for Children, where they were house parents and campus chaplains as well as chaplains at two local hospitals. In 2008, they came back to West Virginia to take care of Mel’s mother, which they did until her mother’s death in 2009.
Harry eventually was no longer physically able to get out of the house. He was bedfast for the last four years. Harry did phone visits and ministry. He was blessed to teach at Celebrate Recovery for the Celebration Center via messenger video. He continued to study and read constantly. He checked on friends and would pray for them up until two days before he died.
People may wonder why this obituary is both Harry and Mel. For thirty-six years of their forty-year marriage, they ministered together. They never knew any difference. And for that, Mel is thankful. The celebration of life for Harry will be on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 6 pm at the Celebration Center of Belpre, 1944 Washington Blvd., Belpre, OH, 45714.
– Obituary provided by Melanie Fulmer.
A Note from World Missions Ministries
On Behalf of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church World Missions Ministries (WMM) family, we honor Harry Fulmer’s life and years of ministry service.
Harry, alongside his wife Melanie, faithfully followed the Lord’s leadership and call to the nations and to ministry assignments stateside, even amidst hardships. After obeying the Lord and stepping into ministry and then missions, the Fulmers became part of the daily operations at the Center of International Christian Ministries (CICM) in London. Though illness during furlough kept the Fulmers from returning to their work in London, their ministry impact while there was of great value, and their efforts were deeply missed.
WMM extends our deepest condolences to Melanie and the Fulmer family as they mourn the passing of a man so steadfast in his faith. May Harry’s ministry legacy continue in the lives of those he impacted throughout the nations.
On behalf of IPHC’s World Missions family,
World Missions Communications Office
