25 Jan Retirement of Larry Taylor

Bishop Phil Whipple (left) presents a retirement pin to Larry Taylor, as Larry's wife Linda looks on.

On January 17, Bishop Phil Whipple attended Park UB (Bluffton, Ind.) to present a retirement pin to Pastor Larry Taylor. The pin recognizes his 37 years as a United Brethren pastor at these churches:

• 1972-1986: Zanesville UB (Zanesville, Ind.).
• 1986-1999: Good Shepherd UB (Huntington, Ind.).
• 2000-2011: Park UB (Bluffton, Ind.).

Before joining the United Brethren denomination, Larry pastored Evangelical United Brethren (now United Methodist) congregations going back to 1964.

18 Jan Report on Chet Conley’s Grandson

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.

15 Jan Donna Hollopeter On Way to Aunt’s Funeral

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.

14 Jan Sad News Upon Returning

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.

05 Jan Death of Phyllis Cherry

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.).

04 Jan Resignation of Al Carter

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.

02 Jan Funeral Arrangements for Rev. Richard Raab

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:

• 1967-1992: Gaines UB (Caledonia, Mich.)
• 1992-1996: Shepherd Street UB (Charlotte, Mich.)
• 1996-1999: Ithaca UB (Ithaca, Mich.)
• 1999-2007: Richfield Road UB (Flint, Mich.)

Donelle Raab’s adddress is: 1914 Jack Pine Court, Dorr, Michigan 49323.

Dick had requested that any memorials be given to either of these:

• The Building Fund of Richfield Road United Brethren Church (Flint, Mich.) where they served most recently.
• The Banner of Christ church (Byron Center, Mich.), where they currently attend.

02 Jan Passing of Dick Raab

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.

30 Dec Pray for George Rhodifer

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.”