18 Aug Obit: Marylou Birdsall

Marylou Birdsall passed away at 3:30 on Thursday, August 14, 2014. She was 85 years old, and living at Swiss Village in Berne, Ind.

Visitation: 9-11 am Tuesday, August 19, 2014.
Funeral: 11 am Tuesday, August 19, 2014. Sons Doug, Brent, and Brian will officiate.
Location: Swiss Village Chapel, 1350 W. Main St., Berne, Ind.

Memorials are to be given to Huntington University. You can sign the on-line guestbook at the Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Pilgrims Rest Cemetery in Huntington, Ind., with graveside services at 1:30 pm Tuesday, August 14.

Marylou and her late husband, Roger, served in the pastorate for 39 years, pastoring five United Brethren churches and one non-UB church. She was a true partner in ministry with her husband. She is survived by sons Doug, Brent, and Brian, and daughter Connie Potter. In addition there are 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Marylou attended Huntington University, where she met and married seminary student S. Roger Birdsall. They both graduated in 1950 and moved to Boise, Idaho, where he began his pastoral ministry and she began her elementary teaching career. Their first two children, Connie and Doug, were born there. In 1954, the Birdsall family moved to Sylmar, Calif., to serve another United Brethren church. Two more sons, Brent and Brian, joined the family there.

In 1960, the family moved to Peoria, Ill., where they spent the next 22 years pastoring First UB church of Peoria. Marylou taught hundreds of students at Rolling Acres Elementary School until her retirement in 1983.

Rev. and Mrs. Birdsall frequently traveled internationally upon retirement, including extended mission trips to visit their sons who were missionaries in Sierra Leone, West Africa; Tokyo, Japan; and Kiev, Ukraine. They also traveled together to teach at Bible colleges in Jamaica and Bangalore, India.

Marylou was known and loved at church and school for her musical talents at the piano and organ. She continued playing the piano almost to the end of her life for Rotary Clubs in Huntington and Berne, for handicapped persons, and at Swiss Village for the enjoyment of residents and staff. In addition, many people appreciated her easy laughter, pleasant disposition, and imaginative story-telling. Being a mother and grandmother as well as mentoring other young women “who just needed a mother” brought her great joy.

Funeral arrangements will be posted when available.