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Chet Conley, associate pastor of First UB (Findlay, Ohio), almost lost his grandson, Ethan, on Saturday, January 16. Several days earlier, the eight-year-old developed viral mialytus, a virus that attacks the muscles.
Today, Monday, they are removing the breathing tube and some of the sedation. He is responding. He still has the feeding tube and kidney dialysis. There will be much physical therapy when this is completed.
Upon returning from Honduras yesterday, Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, learned that an aunt had passed away (her mother’s sister). She headed out to Pennsylvania today for the funeral, which is Monday.
As mentioned earlier, Phil Whipple’s uncle passed away, and he’ll be flying to Illinois tonight for the funeral.
Bishop Phil Whipple learned on the way back to America from Honduras that an uncle in Rockford, Ill., had died. He made arrangements to fly out of Indianapolis Friday evening for the funeral, and return Saturday evening.
The elder team at Elem3nt Church, Blissfield, Michigan, announced yesterday that Gayle Ruble, Jr. will be taking the helm as senior leader after serving as interim Teaching Pastor since September 3, 2009 when Dave Riddle stepped down. Prior to that, Gayle had served at the church as its Adrian, Michigan campus pastor and Group Life Pastor. He and his wife, Leslie, live in Adrian.
Phyllis Cherry passed away around noon today (Tuesday, January 5, 2010) in Bloomington, Ind. Her death resulted from complications involving cancer. She was the wife of Herb Cherry, a retired United Brethren minister. They had been living in Bloomington.
We’ll post funeral arrangements when they are set. We’re told that the funeral will be held at Eden UB church in Mason, Mich.
Please keep Herb and their two children, Colette and Nathan, in your prayers. Herb Cherry is the brother of two other retired United Brethren ministers, Harold and Howard Cherry, and the uncle of Kevin Cherry, pastor of Heart O the Lakes UB (Brooklyn, Mich.).
Al Carter resigned as senior pastor of West Pleasant Hill UB church (Rockbridge, Ohio) effective December 31, 2009. He had been the pastor since August 2003.
Rev. Richard Raab, a retired ordained United Brethren minister, passed away at 4:15 pm on Friday, January 1, 2010. The funeral arrangements are as follows:
Visitation: Sunday, January 3, 2-5 pm and 6-9 pm.
Location: Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th Street, Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49508. Phone: (616) 455-9280.
Funeral: Monday, January 4, 11 a.m. Visitation 10-10:45 a.m.
Location: Banner of Christ UB church, 1111 68th Street, Byron Center, MI 49315. Phone: (616) 538-1313.
Dick pastored an Evangelical United Brethren church 1964-1967, and then pastored these four United Brethren churches:
Donelle Raab’s adddress is: 1914 Jack Pine Court, Dorr, Michigan 49323.
Dick had requested that any memorials be given to either of these:
We learned that Dick Raab, a recently-retired minister in Michigan, passed away January 1, 2010, around 4:15 pm. On November 2, we reported that he had been diagnosed with cancer and given 3-6 months to live. Please remember his wife, Donelle, in your prayers. We’ll post funeral details as they become available.
Roland Albert, pastor of Park Layne UB in New Carlisle, Ohio, sent this message:
“Pray for Rev. George Rhodifer (right) today at 10:30 am. He is having a procedure done on his esophagus. He has been fighting the fight against cancer, and he’s winning. We just want everyone to pray for him today at 10:30.”
A few weeks ago, we reported that Sandy Whipple, wife of Bishop Phil Whipple, was undergoing a heart catheterization. The surgery on November 26 went well. They found no blockage in the heart, which was a relief.
The problem involves an irregular heart rhythm, which doctors are regulating with medication. They are doing tests to determine the best medication to use.
