The Rev. Mel Dibble was born into evangelism and spent most of his life traveling around the country — speaking, testifying, preaching and singing.

        He was a well-known Cincinnati TV personality in the 1950s, but he abandoned that career after a meeting with the Rev. Billy Graham inspired him to return to the ministry.

        The Rev. Mr. Dibble died Thursday at Jewish Hospital after a three-week fight with melanoma.

        Born in 1914 in Atlanta to Baptist evangelists, he spent his early years on the road with his father, George, who sang and preached along with his mother, Lura. She counseled women and taught women's Bible classes in missionary meetings.

        When he was old enough for school, his parents sent him to live with his grandparents in Michigan. He later attended Wheaton College and Moody Bible College in Chicago.

        When he was a teen, he met his future wife, Ruth Moran, at a mission meeting in Erie, Pa. They married in 1938.

        The Rev. Mr. Dibble began his career as an associate pastor with the First Baptist Church of Pontiac, Mich. After about two years, he became disillusioned and decided to leave the ministry.

        He went to work in sales, first for Scott Paper Co. in Detroit and Chester, Pa., and later for Decatur Industries in Indiana. The Dibbles moved to Mariemont in 1949.

        In 1950, the Rev. Mr. Dibble, inspired by the Ruth Lyons television show, embarked upon a new career — as a morning talk show host on WCPO. His stage name was Mel Martin. Within a week, he switched to WLWT-TV, also working as a talk show host. His shows included Hi-Life Hilarities and Breakfast Party. He appeared for a week on NBC's Today Show with Dave Garroway.

        In 1953, a friend from St. Louis took him to the Taft Auditorium to hear the Rev. Mr. Graham.

        “He felt that by working in TV he was getting away from his spiritual roots. He was a glamorous TV personality,” said the Rev. Mr. Dibble's son, Steve, of Raleigh, N.C. “He had a conversion experience and decided to get back into the ministry.”

        After announcing his resignation on his show the next morning, the Rev. Mr. Dibble joined the Rev. Mr. Graham's Crusade organization and became an evangelist. He gave his testimony and preached in small towns all over the United States. He also served as the Cincinnati delegate to the World Congress on Evangelism in West Berlin in 1966.

        In 1977, the Rev. Mr. Dibble was asked to become the senior pastor of Mariemont Community Church by its members. During his tenure, the congregation increased from 70 members to 500. He retired as pastor emeritus in 1983.

        “Mr. Dibble was a spiritual leader for hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the Cincinnati area. He continued to participate in missions and ministered to a wide variety of persons near and far,” said Michael Coler, a longtime friend of the family. “He was a good friend and trusted adviser to many, including myself.”

        The Rev. Mr. Dibble, an avid golfer, was a member of the Terrace Park Country Club. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club.

        His wife died in April. Besides his son, Steve, he is survived by two grandchildren. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Mariemont Community Church.

        Memorials may be made to the Mariemont Community Church, 3908 Plainville Road, Mariemont, OH 45227, or the Mariemont Preservation Foundation, 3919 Plainville Road, Mariemont, OH 45227

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