01 Aug Obit: Phyllis Meadows, Widow of Former Bishop Clyde Meadows

Phyllis Meadows, the widow of former bishop Clyde W. Meadows, passed away early in the morning of July 31, 2017. She was 96 years old.

A memorial service will be held on September 9 (the same day Dr. Meadows died in 1999 at age 98) in the Columbus, Ohio, area. Details will be posted when they become available.

Clyde and Phyllis were married in 1980. Dr. Meadows’ first wife, Mabel, passed away in 1979.

04 Jul Obit: Death of Rev. Owen Gordon

We just learned of the passing of Rev. Owen Gordon, a longtime leader in Jamaica Conference. He has been a pastor and superintendent in Jamaica, helped start the first Jamaican UB church in New York City in 1988, is a former member of the Huntington University Board of Trustees, and for many years was president of Jamaica Bible College (now Regent College of the Caribbean). Please remember Owen’s wife, Francis, in your prayers.

03 Jul Obit: Wallace Graham, Father of Pastor Scott Graham

Wallace Graham, 80, passed away June 30 in Chillicothe, Ohio. He was the father of Scott Graham, pastor of Good Shepherd UB church in Greenfield, Ohio.

Memorial service: 7:00 pm Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Viewing one hour beforehand.
Location: Bainbridge Assembly of God Church, Bainbridge, Ohio

Scott Graham is highly involved with the US National Conference meeting, particularly is making all arrangements with exhibitors. His home address is:

Scott Graham
1660 Camelin Hill Rd
Chillicothe, OH 45601

13 Jun Obit: Rev. John Ford

Rev. John L. Ford, 78, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2017, in Cumberland, Md. He had been a pastor of the Clarksburg and Underwood UB churches, and was a member of Bethany House of the Lord in Cumberland.

Funeral date: 1:00 pm on Wednesday, June 14, 2017.
Funeral location: Scarpelli Funeral Home, 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, Md.

11 May Obit: Death of Frances Burkett, 91

Marion and Frances Burkett

Frances Burkett, 91, passed away on Wednesday evening, May 10, as a result of complications due to a short illness. She and her husband of 73 years, Marion (M. E.) have been residents of Miller’s Merry Manor nursing home in Columbia City, Ind.

Visitation: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. May 13.
Location: College Park United Brethren church, 1945 College Ave, Huntington, IN 46750.

The Burketts met at Brown Corners UB in Clare, Mich.—her home church, and his first pastorate—and they were married in 1943. In 1951, the Burketts went to Sierra Leone for two three-year terms. They spent the 1960s pastoring in the States and serving with the United Methodist Redbird Mission in Kentucky.

In 1971 they returned to Sierra Leone, where M. E. took Jerry Datema’s place as Field Secretary. After that came pastorates in the Missionary Church, plus three years at the UB Laurel Mission in Kentucky. In 1985, they started a UB church in Pima, Arizona. Five years later, they were back in Ohio pastoring a UB church, and other pastoral roles followed.

It was a life of practically non-stop, tireless ministry. Two of their sons, David and Phil, became ordained United Brethren ministers and also served as United Brethren missionaries in Sierra Leone and Macau respectively.

A luncheon will follow the memorial service. Instead of flowers, donations are suggested toward the Mattru Hospital project in Sierra Leone. Make checks payable to: Global Ministries. You can see more info and give online at ubglobal.org/donate.

Son Phil writes, “Please remember Dad (M.E.) in your prayers as he grieves the loss of his wife of over 73 years.”

Addresses

Marion E. Burkett
199 West Center Dr
Columbia City, IN 46725-8604

David L. Burkett
2268 E. Mt. Morris Rd.
Mt. Morris, MI 48458

Philip L. Burkett
4393 Koepfgen Rd
Cass City, MI 48726

03 Apr Obit: Edmund Burkey, April 3, 2017

Edmund Carleton Burkey, 96, passed away on April 3, 2017, in Adrian, Mich. He was a United Brethren minister for 29 years.

Ed and his wife, Jean, were married in 1942, and he entered North Baptist Theological Seminary that fall. He graduated from Monmouth College (Monmouth, Ill.) in 1951, and later earned a Masters in Theology from Winona Lake School of Theology (Winona Lake, Ind.).

In 1944, Burkey began his preaching ministry at the United Brethren church in Van Orin, Ill. He also served the community as a school teacher and principal.

In 1951, he became pastor of College Park Church in Huntington, Ind. During his 15-year tenure, College Park went through two major building programs, including construction of the current sanctuary.

In June of 1966, Burkey became pastor of First UB Church in Adrian, Mich. Within a year, a building program was inaugurated and the new facility was dedicated in 1969 as Trenton Hills United Brethren Church.

Burkey served the United Brethren Church in many capacities, including as senior superintendent of North Ohio Conference. In 1973, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Huntington College.

In 1979, Burkey became pastor of the Fellowship Bible Church in Adrian, and served there until retiring in 1993. His wife, Jean, preceded him in death.

The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian, Mich. Dr. Kent Maxwell will officiate. There will be visitation 9-11 a.m. prior to the funeral service.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Fellowship Bible Church or The Hospice of Lenawee Home.

31 Mar Obit: Irene Thomas

Irene J. (Petrie) Thomas, 89, passed away on March 14, 2017. She was the wife of former Michigan pastor Earl Thomas. The funeral was held March 18 in Fishers, Ind.

28 Feb Death of Pastor Michael Soltis’s Father

Michael Soltis, pastor of Bridge Fellowship, a United Brethren church in Bowling Green, Ohio, is mourning the death of his father. Edward Soltis passed away February 28, 2017, in Erie, Pa. The full obituary is here.

The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on March 3 in Greenville, Pa.

Cards can be sent to Pastor Soltis at: 317 N Tarr St., Baltimore, OH 45872.

24 Feb Obit: Rose Lehner

Rose May Lehner passed away February 21, 2017, in Caro, Mich. She was 98 years old. Rose and her husband, Rev. Paul Lehner, served 36 years in ministry. From 1947-1954, they were missionaries at the Laurel Mission in Big Laurel, Kent. They then pastored United Brethren churches in Michigan Conference until Paul retired in 1983. Paul passed away in 1991.

In her retirement years, Rose continued her commitment to service by delivering meals for the Human Development Commission and volunteering for the Commission on Aging. She wrote two books and enjoyed painting China to be sold at craft shows around the state. Rose remained active at the Colwood Church as a Sunday school teacher and funeral meal cook, and was a member of the Women’s Missionary Association. She will be remembered for her kind and generous heart in a lifetime spent caring for others.

Viewing Date: 3-7pm Sunday, February 26, 2017.
Viewing Location: Ransford Collon Funeral Home, 205 W Sherman St, Caro, MI 48723
Funeral Date: 11am Monday, February 27, 2017. Viewing one hour beforehand.
Funeral Location: Colwood UB church, 1840 Colwood Rd, Caro, MI 48723