30 Dec Dec 30 Update on Gerald Hallman

We reported earlier on Gerald Hallman (right), an ordained and retired UB minister, who was hospitalized Dec 22 with a brain tumor. Gerald and the family learned yesterday, Dec 29, that the tumor is stage 4 cancer–the worst, most aggressive kind, they were told. He currently has no movement on his right side.

Gerald is currently in the ICU at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind., though it’s expected he’ll be moved to rehab soon (he’s already undergoing rehab). Gerald is in good spirits, and jokes with the medical staff. His family spends a lot of time with him.

Cards can be sent to Gerald at: 9111 Whispering Woods Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46804.

Tim and Rozanne are keeping people updated on their Facebook pages, and many people have already left messages there.

26 Dec Obit: Rev. Robert Shellhouse

Rev. Robert Shellhouse, 85, a former United Brethren minister in Michigan, passed away in around 3 am on December 26, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Geneva, three children, nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Rev. and Mrs. Shellhouse served in the pastorate for 51 years in Michigan–at Sackrider, North Star, Ithaca, Fowlerville, Flint, and Grandville. He also served in World War 2 from January 1945 to December 1946.

Viewing time: 4-8 pm Wednesday, December 28, 2011.
Viewing location: Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, Mich. 49455
Funeral service time: 2 pm Thursday, December 29, 2011.
Funeral location: Mears United Methodist Church, 1990 N 56th Ave, Mears, MI 49436.

A luncheon will follow the funeral. Burial will be at Elbridge Township Cemetery at 4:15 pm.

Condolences can be sent to Geneva Shellhouse at 994 Meadow Lane, Jenison, Mich 49428.

24 Dec Update on Gerald Hallman’s Surgery

We reported yesterday about retired minister Gerald Hallman, who was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. Surgery was performed this morning, Dec 24, around 10 am.

Gerald’s son, Tim Hallman, who is pastor of Anchor Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.), sent this note:

“My dad made it through surgery and is recovering in his room. The tumor is worse than initially thought, though it was already assumed to be very bad. Treatment may delay the effects. However the decline in dad has already started and is irreversible. We do not know what the days ahead hold. Your love and prayers have been a beautiful gift to my father and family and myself. We will seek out the most joy and peace in the days ahead as we struggle to adjust to this reality.”

Please keep Gerald and Rozanne, and their children and grandchildren (all of whom live in the Fort Wayne area), in your prayers.

23 Dec Prayer Needed for Gerald Hallman

Gerald and Rozanne Hallman on duty in the nursery at Anchor Community Church on Sunday, December 18 (click to enlarge).

Gerald Hallman, an ordained and retired United Brethren minister, was diagnosed on Friday, December 23, with an inoperable and aggressively growing brain tumor. He and his wife, Rozanne, began their ministry serving two churches in Ontario–Silverthorn (1975-1977) and North Bruce (1977-1986). They concluded their ministry at Montgomery UB in Montgomery, Mich., and retired to a lakeside property in Fremont, Ind. Since 1998, they have been active members of Anchor Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., which is pastored by their son, Tim Hallman.

Tim wrote on Friday afternoon, December 23: “Dad has surgery on Christmas Eve at 9am with Dr. Kachmann to remove a portion of the brain tumor they found in the back of his head. They will then treat what they cannot remove with chemo or radiation. Hopefully Dad will come through the surgery and be able to go home by New Years Day. We are praying that we will have another six months or more with him. Dad is at peace with these unwanted developments, trusting God with what is next. Thanks for your prayers.”

The surgery will be performed at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind., where Gerald is currently in the ICU surrounded by family.

29 Nov Death of Claudia Myers-Glover

Claudia Blanche Myers-Glover, 88, passed away Sunday, November 27, 2011, in Carlisle, Pa., surrounded by her loved ones.

A greatly beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, she cherished the 50 years she served as a Sunday school teacher and 40 years as a United Brethren minister’s wife at various UB churches in the former Mid-Atlantic Conference. She and her husband, the late Rev. H. Dorsey Glover, served the Bowleys Lane UB church in Baltimore, Md., along with these churches in Pennsylvania: Trinity, Heidlersburg, Idaville, Strinestown, Cold Springs, Fayetteville, and Macedonia.

Visitation Date: 9:30 am Wednesday, November 30, 2011.
Funeral: 10:30 am Wednesday, November 30. Burial will follow at Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville, Md.
Location: Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, Md.

A memorial service will be held at 10 am on December 10 at Idaville United Brethren Church, 3590 Carlisle Road, Gardners, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in support of Sarah Glover (missionary to Papua New Guinea) to Sturgis Baptist Church, P.O. Box 844, Sturgis, MI; or to Idaville United Brethren Church, 3590 Carlisle Road, Gardners, Pa. 17324.

Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home & Crematory of Carlisle, Pa., is in charge of the funeral arrangements and has information about Claudia and a guestbook.

29 Nov Funeral of Mamei Simbo

Rev. Billy Simbo sent the following information on November 29 regarding the funeral for his wife, Mamei.

“Mamei R. Simbo was laid to rest on Friday, November 25, 2011, after a wonderful service of celebration and thanksgiving at Eglise De Dieu Par La Foi in Philadelphia, Pa. Burial was at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

“The Simbo family wants to thank all our brothers and sisters who have prayed for us since the beginning of Mamei’s sickness until her home-going. Thank you for your gifts, contributions, cards, and flowers. We rejoice in the life she was able to live and all the people she influenced. She was a great ministry partner, a devoted mother and grandmother who reached many people with her smile and hospitality.

“She will be greatly missed but will be remembered until we meet again at Jesus’ feet.”

21 Nov Death of Mamei Simbo

Billy and Mamei Simbo

Mamei Simbo, wife of Rev. Billy Simbo, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2011. She and Billy served churches in the United States and Sierra Leone, at the Sierra Leone Bible College, and most recently, as missionaries to Sierra Leone, during which time he became the first bishop of Sierra Leone Conference.

Funeral details are still being worked out. However, Rev. Simbo announced that the funeral is now scheduled for 11 am Friday, November 25, at a church in Philadelphia, Pa.

He wrote on Facebook, with the photo above: “I met her as a young lady, pretty in a pink and white lace dress. It was the smile and pleasant personality that drew me in. Over the years she has been the rock of the family, outgoing, quick to make friends. The perfect minister’s wife and a terrific ministry partner. She has left a hole in my heart, but she has left a legacy of four strong children who know the Lord as their Rock.”

Billy’s mailing address is:

Billy K. Simbo
1822 Erlen Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027