Harry Meng III

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 7, 2010

BATON ROUGE — Services for Harry Herndon Meng III, 84, who died Sept. 4, 2010, at his residence, will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Hosanna First Assembly with the Rev. Don Williams and the Rev. Mark Meng officiating.

Visitation will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Hosanna First Assembly.

Originally from Vidalia, Meng settled in Baton Rouge after graduation from Louisiana State University in business administration in 1949. He had a successful 30-year career with the Louisiana Department of Forestry as financial chief. During and after WWII, he served honorably in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Although Meng was assigned as a military police officer, he always acted true to his nature, a man of peace and of serene humility. In fact, his entire life was characterized by a patient, forgiving, enduring strength that was always ready to give of himself, and of his time, for the benefit of others.

After his retirement from state employment in 1982, Meng, was able to fully devoted himself to Christian ministry. He, along with his wife as a constant prayer partner, used his powerful spiritual gifts and soft-spoken wisdom in the ministry of counseling, intercession and deliverance. They also traveled, teaching deliverance in many southern states. These gifts he used as a faithful servant, never seeking attention for himself. Having faith in scripture as the living word of God that he discerned from daily prayer and diligent Bible study, his ministry would bear much fruit. As his reputation grew by the testimony of those whose lives were changed, even brothers and sisters in the body of Christ sought him out for prayer when experiencing a difficult or stressful time, or for deliverance from a troublesome habit or lifelong bondage.

Of the many to whom Meng ministered, some would be released from their fear, torment, pain or illness; some might be led to repent; some realized the necessity of salvation and some would reform their lives into ones of great faith and purpose. And so it is that Harry spent his retirement years helping countless people become set free from all forms of spiritual, physical, mental or emotional strife.

Survivors include his devoted wife of 58 years, Louise Hermann Meng; one son, Mark Meng and wife Dawn Cass Meng of Baton Rouge, two daughters, Joan Meng of Baton Rouge and Donna Meng Henderson and husband Michael of Mandeville, La.; grandchildren, Marcia Henderson Ferguson and husband Joseph, and Abram Henderson and wife Juliana; one brother, Dr. Austin Meng and wife Millie of Metairie, La., and three sisters Mary Lou Paine, Nancy Byrne and Vicki Byrne, all of Natchez.

The family requests that donations be made to Hosanna First Assembly in memory of Harry Meng. These donations will be sent to the Rev. Virgie Jumawid in the Philippines, where Meng ministered and taught deliverance to more than 250 pastors.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kyle Kean, Dr. Karen Dantin and St. Joseph Hospice for their kindness.

Although the family shares grief for the loss of their loved one, they are consoled by words of scripture Meng held most dear and would exhort them to follow: “Unto them who mourn, give unto them beauty for ashes … the oil of joy for mourning … the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness … that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord … that He shall be glorified” (Isaiah 61-3).