Mabel Hilda “Micky” Kurtaneck, mother of Timothy (T.K.) Kurtaneck, director of church relations and youth leadership at CE National, died on Saturday, November 5. Her late husband, Nickolas, was a Grace Brethren pastor and on the faculty at Biola University. Her obituary appears below.

Mabel Hilda “Micky” Kurtaneck, 1925-2016

Mabel Hilda “Micky” Kurtaneck of Winona Lake, Ind., died at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Grace Village Health Care of Winona Lake, Ind., at the age of 91.

Mabel was born on June 8, 1925, in Derby, England, to James Frederick Walmsley and Hilda (Frost) Walmsley. On August 26, 1944 she was married to Nickolas Kurtaneck, who passed away in 2009.

She was a resident of Kosciusko County, Ind., for the past four years. She moved to western Pennsylvania in 1945 as a war bride. Mabel resided in Winona Lake, Ind., from 1953-1959 while her husband attended Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind. She lived most of her life in Southern California until she returned to live at Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake in 2013.

She will be lovingly remembered by her son: Timothy (wife Dana) Kurtaneck (Warsaw, Ind.); daughter: Charise Ott (Garden Grove, Calif.); and four grandchildren: Rebekah and Nicholas Kurtaneck (both of Warsaw, Ind.); Jonathan and Blake Ott (both of Garden Grove, Calif.). She was preceded in death by her husband.

Interment will take place at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Ind.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Operation Barnabas Scholarship Fund, c/o C.E. National, P.O. Box 365, Winona Lake, Ind. 46590 and would be appreciated by the family.

Word has been received of the death of Thelma Funderburg, mother of former Grace Brethren pastor, Mick Funderburg, and Judy Ostrander, wife of former Grace Brethren pastor, Mike Ostrander. Her obituary appears below. Click here for more information or to send condolences.

Thelma Funderburg, 1916-2016

On November 8, 2016 Thelma Blanche (Ball) Funderburg 100, of Niles, Mich., passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she had trusted for the forgiveness of her sins and the gift of Eternal Life.

Memorial services for Charlotte Good, mother of Kent Good, a ministry partner with Encompass World Partners, were held on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at Grace Church, Sebring, Fla. (Randy Smith, pastor). Her obituary appears below.

Charlotte E. Good, age 92, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 in Sebring, Fla. She was born on December 1, 1923 in Brecknock Township, Pa., to the late Horace W. and Mary Gehman Groff.

Charlotte was an educator by trade and was director of the Grace Brethren Kindergarten in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for 21 years. She loved her church family at Grace Church of Sebring and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include two sons: Bradford K. (Vallrie) Good, Jacksonville, Fla.; Kent (Rebecca) Good, Tucker, Ga.; two grandchildren: Kimberly (T.J.) Touchton and Staci (Gabe) Bedenbaugh; and one great-granddaughter: Ryleigh Bedenbaugh. She was preceded in death by her husband: Marvin Good and siblings: Arthur Groff; Walter Groff, Ray Groff; Eleanor Groff Lane, and Esther Groff Good.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Grace Church of Sebring, 3626 Thunderbird Road, Sebring, FL 33872.

Former accountant for the Brethren Missionary Herald Company, Jo Disbro, has died. Her obituary appears below.

Jo Disbro, 1940-2016

Jo Anne Disbro, Winona Lake, Ind., died at 10:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne, at the age of 76.

She was a resident of Kosciusko County, for the past 47 years. She and her husband Al were the first house parents for Riverwood Ranch. Jo worked as an accountant for Herald Bookstore, and was the controller at W.R.S.W radio station for a number of years. Jo was the Chief Financial Officer for Multi-Township Emergency Medical Services in Warsaw for over ten years. She was a longtime board member of the Multi Township EMS of Kosciusko County, member of the Winona Lake Town Board for a number of years, as well as a past board member at Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake. Jo attended Warsaw Community Church for many years and will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

She was born Nov. 3, 1940 in Indianapolis to Mary Rachael (Barlow) Carpenter and Wallace Paul Carpenter. On May 15, 1958 she was married to Allan “Al” Disbro, who survives in Winona Lake.

Along with her husband she will be lovingly remembered by two daughters: Doni (husband Mike) Speigle, Warsaw; Rebecca (husband Wes) Anglin, Warsaw; son: Jay (wife Jaymme) Disbro, Warsaw; and three grandsons: Knik Disbro, Zakk Moreno, and Eli Anglin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother.

No visitation is planned, a private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw, at a later date and officiated by Reverend Tom Miller.  Arrangements are entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.

Memorial donations may be directed to Water for Good, P.O. Box 247, Winona Lake, IN  46590 and would be appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s Web Site at redpathfruthfuneralhome.com

Norman Allen Gunsolley, 1944-2016

Norm Gunsolley, long-time administrator of Warsaw (Ind.) Christian School, died early this morning. Warsaw Christian School is a ministry of Community Grace Brethren Church, Warsaw, Ind. Services will be held Saturday, December 17, at the church. His obituary appears below.

Norman Allen Gunsolley of Winona Lake, Ind., died at 6:39 a.m. on Monday, December 12, 2016 at Grace Village Health Care of Winona Lake at the age of 72.

Norman graduated from high school in 1962 in Columbus, Neb. In 1966, he received his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Trinity College, Deerfield, Ill., and earned his Master’s degree from the University of South Dakota in School Administration in 1970.

Before retiring in 2012, Norman had a 46-year long career in education. He began his career with schools in Illinois. Later he started Community Christian School in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and worked there for ten years until moving to Kosciusko County, Ind. in 1987. The last 25 years of his career were spent as the administrator at Warsaw Christian School. He was a former member of the International Association of Christian Schools.

Norman was an active member of Community Grace Brethren Church of Warsaw and served as an Elder, Deacon, and Sunday School teacher.  He enjoyed camping, gardening, feeding and watching birds, reading and studying his Bible. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing games, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

He was born on January 21, 1944, in Sioux City, Iowa, to the late Earl Thomas Gunsolley and Marian Frances (Cain) Gunsolley, who survives in Stanton, Neb. On June 11, 1966, he married Mary Lou (Beddoe) Gunsolley, who survives in Winona Lake, Ind.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife and mother, as well as his four daughters: Michelle (fiancé Tim Grusenmeyer) (Fort Wayne, Ind.); Kristine (husband Eric) Bowling (West Chicago, Ill.); Janelle (husband Aaron) Turner (Winona Lake, Ind.); Lisa (husband Paul) Greunke (Omaha, Neb.); and eleven grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers:  Ronald (wife Joanne) Gunsolley (Marquette, Kan.); Timothy (wife Beth) Gunsolley (Colorado Springs, Co.); and his sister: Susanne Kment (Stanton, Neb.). He was preceded in death by his father.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2016, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Ind.

His funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2016, at Community Grace Brethren Church, 909 S. Buffalo Street, Warsaw, Ind., and officiated by Pastor Roy Chapin. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations in Norman’s name may be directed to Warsaw Christian School, 909 S. Buffalo Street, Warsaw, Ind., or to Community Christian School, 2406 9 1/2 Avenue South, Fort Dodge, Iowa  50501, and would be appreciated by the family.

Word has been received of the July 2016 death of Nathan Casement, a former Grace Brethren pastor in the Dayton, Ohio, area, who was instrumental in the beginning of Dayton Christian Schools in the mid-1960s. His obituary appears below.

Nathan Casement, age 83 of Dayton, Ohio, formerly Barrington, Ill., went to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, Tuesday, July 12, 2016. Nathan proudly served in the United States Naval reserve. He was a graduate of Jamestown High School in New York and the Bob Jones University class of 1954. Nathan was the Associate Pastor at Christian Tabernacle for three years and the Senior Pastor at Patterson Park Brethren Church for 11 years, where he founded Dayton Christian Schools in 1963. For 24 years Nathan enjoyed a successful career in religious, group travel and later operated Michal’s Jewelry store in Barrington, Ill., for 27 years before his retirement in 2006. Nathan is survived by two brothers, Brasi Casamento of Jamestown, N.Y., Sam Casamento of California, and four daughters, Martha Carroll  and husband Charles,of Dayton, Ohio, Marcia Casamento of Stevenson Ranch, Calif., Madelyn Stusek and husband Mark of Dayton, Ohio, and Michal Casement of Manhattan Beach, Calif., and eight grandchildren: Christy Reno and husband Curtis, Charles Carroll, Jr. and wife Amy, Micah Carroll and wife Jordan, Jenny Baldwin and husband Joel of S.C., Noah Stusek and wife Holly, Mark Stusek and wife Angela, Melinda Piligian and husband Christopher, of Calif., Michelle Posthumus of Calif. and 17 great grandchildren. We ask that Donations in his honor be made to either Dayton Christian Schools or Hospice of Dayton. Services were held Monday July 18 at Tobias Funeral Home 5471 Far Hills Ave. Dayton, Ohio, with Charles Carroll, Jr. officiating. Burial follow at David’s Cemetery, 4600 Mad River Rd. in Dayton, Ohio.

Carol Schuler, wife of former Grace College basketball coach, Ivan Schuler, died this morning in North Manchester, Ind. Her obituary appears below.

Carol Schuler, 1937-2016

Carol Ann Schuler of Winona Lake, Ind., diedy at 6:25 a.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2016, at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester, Ind., at the age of 79.

She was born on February 5, 1937 in Long Beach, Calif., to George Wellington Davis and Marjorie Elizabeth (Gedney) Davis.  On July 25, 1958, she was married to John Ivan Schuler, who survives in Winona Lake, Ind.

She was a graduate of David Starr Jordan High School in Long Beach, Calif., and received her Bachelor’s degree in 1958 from Long Beach State College. She resided in Lakewood, Calif., until moving to Winona Lake, Indiana in 1977.

Carol worked at a number of places prior to becoming the Director of Housing  in 1983 at Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, Ind., retiring in 1996.

She loved children and working with them at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church where she was a member. Carol also enjoyed reading Raggedy Ann stories to the children who affectionately referred to her as Gramma Schuler and Mrs. Coach. Carol was always supportive of Ivan’s teaching and coaching ministry. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren.…she will be dearly missed and loved always.

Carol will be lovingly remembered by her husband John Ivan Schuler (Winona Lake, Ind.); three daughters:  Laurie (husband Jim) Rogers (Winona Lake, Ind.); Holly (husband Roy) Angle (Dublin, Ireland); Jenny (husband Scott) Van Cleave (Silver Lake, Ind.); eleven grandchildren:  Thad, Jake, Jordan, Mallory, Stan, Ivan, Lauren, Jade, Ellis, Kolman, and Avery; and five great-grandchildren:  Veyda, Alek, Isaac, Malachi, and Aaron. Also surviving is her brother:  Rick (wife Karen) Davis (Seven Points, Tex.). She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2016, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Ind.

Her memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 23, 2016, at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, Ind., and officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow. A private family graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations in Carol’s memory may be directed to Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, Ind.,  46590 and designated to go towards the Building Fund and would be appreciated by her family.

Word has been received of the death of Larry Pfahler, former medical missionary to the Central African Republic, and father-in-law of Beau Stanley, who serves on the pastoral staff at Grace Polaris Church, Columbus, Ohio. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be posted here, along with an obituary, when they are available.

Dr. Larry Pfahler, 1943-2016

Dr. Larry L. Pfahler, 73, of Gahanna, Ohio, peacefully entered the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ, surrounded by loved ones on December 19, 2016, after a brief battle with cancer.

Dr. William E. Male, 1927-2017

Dr. Ernest William “Bill” Male, 89, of Tecumseh, Michigan completed his earthly journey and stepped into eternity with his Savior on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Cambrian Memory Care Center in Tecumseh, Mich.  He lived the largest portion of his life in Warsaw and Winona Lake, Ind.

He was born on November 7, 1927 in Streator, Illinois to Gordon Male and Mary (Morrell) Male.  On September 3, 1950 in Mendon, Michigan he was married to Ella Beth Kauffman, she survives in Tecumseh, Michigan.

Dr. Male was a resident of Kosciusko County, Ind., since 1959 where he was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church of Winona Lake, Ind.

After completing his Master of Divinity degree at Grace Theological Seminary, Bill pastored Grace Brethren churches in several states. However, he spent most of his career as a professor and administrator at Grace College and Theological Seminary. Bill was a staunch supporter of Christian education, and his desire to encourage Christian school teachers and administrators led to the development of the nationally-recognized Summer Institutes and Master of Arts programs for educators held on the campus of Grace College and Seminary. His work with the Summer Institutes provided an opportunity for him to serve as one of the founders of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Bill also had a passion for helping minority students achieve advanced academic degrees, and many of the students he helped are now teaching and preaching around the world.

Bill was a member of the Indiana District Fellowship of Brethren Ministers, National Fellowship of Grace Brethren Ministers, past member of Warsaw Kiwanis Club, and an honorary Phi Delta Kappa member. Bill greatly enjoyed traveling personally and professionally. His trips took him to many countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Through the years, his other interests included flying, magic tricks, stamp collecting, and bird watching.

Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years Ella Beth (Kauffman) Male (Tecumseh, Michigan); and their four daughters:  Martha (husband Jim) Hines (Saginaw, Michigan); Mary (husband Dave) Smith (Allison, Iowa); Ruth (husband Bob) Markham (Oregonia, Ohio); and Becky (husband Jim) Colman (Adrian, Michigan).  He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Barbara Avery and his son-in-law, Roy Leon Lowrie.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 8, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.  A private family graveside service will take place at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

The memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2017 in the Chapel of Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana and officiated by Dr. James Colman.

Memorial donations may be made in Bill’s name to Grace College and Seminary, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana and would be appreciated by the family.

Word has been received of the death of Harry T. “Bud” Barger, of Hagerstown, Md. He served on the boards of the Grace Brethren North American and the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation and was director of the Grace Brethren Fellowship Estate and Financial Planning Ministry. His obituary appears below.

Harry (Bud) T. Barger Jr.

Harry T. “Bud” Barger, 1938-2017

Harry T. “Bud” Barger Jr., of Hagerstown, Md., passed away peacefully at his residence Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.

He was the son of Harry T. Barger Sr. and Rachel Irene Stenger Barger.

He graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1956.

In 1958, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served with Naval Intelligence. He spent time with the Naval Security Group in Charleston, S.C., until 1961.

On March 4, 1961, he married the former Rose Marie Nigh of Hagerstown.

From 1961 to 1964, Harry was stationed in London, England, with the Naval Security Group. His first son, Kirk, was born in London.

Harry, Rose and Kirk returned to the States in June of ‘64. His second son, Eric, joined the family in 1965.

Upon being discharged from the Navy, Harry joined IBM Corp. in Hagerstown where he worked as administrative analyst until 1975 when he transferred to Baltimore, Md., and then on to Rockville, Md., as operations manager. In 1979, he became branch administration manager in Baltimore until 1983. At that time, he returned to the Hagerstown Office as operations manager. Upon his retirement from IBM in 1993, he became director of development for The Salvation Army and served in that position until 2013. He also served as a member of The Salvation Army Board for 20 years.

Harry served as national director of Grace Brethren Fellowship Estate and Financial Planning Ministry from 1998 to 2006. He and Rose traveled to Grace Brethren Churches across the U.S. and presented seminars.

He served on the GBNAM Board and was chairman of the Chaplaincy Committee. He also served on the Board of the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation.

Harry was a member of Hagerstown Kiwanis Club from 1985 to 2015. He served as president in 2002 and many years on the Board of Directors.

Harry also served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Washington County.

Harry has been a member of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches since 1973, serving as Sunday school teacher, vice moderator, deacon, Sunday school superintendent and choir member.

He currently attended Maranatha Brethren Church.

Harry is survived by his wife, Rose Marie Nigh Barger; sons, Kirk Lynn Barger and wife, Annette, of Leesburg, Ind., and Eric David Barger and wife, Carol, of Hagerstown; and grandchildren, JoyLynn Nesbitt and husband, Matthew, and children, Jade and Amelia, of San Antonio, Texas, Ryan Barger and wife, Alejandra, and son, Elliott, of Houston, Texas, Melinda Kline and husband, Abram, of Jenison, Mich., Hannah Dean and husband, Orland, of Hagerstown, Landon Barger and wife, Brianna, of Lafayette, Ind., and Harrison Barger of Hagerstown.

Harry loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching his grandson, Harrison, playing baseball, soccer and basketball.

Harry also is survived by one maternal aunt, Shirley Stenger Rider and husband, Jim, of Asheville, N.C.; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown.

The funeral will be held Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m. at Minnich Funeral Home, with a viewing one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Jeffrey Dunkle, the Rev. Dan Thornton, and the Rev. Roger Myers will be officiating.

Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Williamsport.

Gifts may be made in Harry’s memory to Maranatha Brethren Church, 19835 Scott Hill Drive, Hagerstown, Md. 21740; or Grace Academy, 13321 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown, Md. 21742.

Online condolences are accepted at minnichfh.com.

Barbara Manahan

GraceConnect has learned that Barbara Manahan, wife of Dr. Ron Manahan, former president of Grace College and Seminary, died this morning. An obituary and funeral information will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Barbara J. Manahan of Winona Lake, Ind., died at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 13, 2017 at Kosciusko Community Hospital of Warsaw, Ind., at the age of 75.

She was born on October 24, 1941 in Battle Creek, Mich., to Henry Campbell and Wilna (Fleming) Campbell. She was married on July 18, 1964 and shared 52 wonderful years with Ronald E. Manahan, who survives in Winona Lake, Ind.

She will be lovingly remembered by her son:  Nathan Manahan (Indianapolis, Ind.); and daughter:  Kelly (husband John) Manahan Geisler (Athens, Ga.).  She also leaves behind seven grandchildren:  Becca (husband Micah) Wood (Columbia City, Ind.); Michael Geisler (Boston, Mass.); Matthew Geisler (Athens, Ga.); Audra, Campbell, Maggie and Patrick Manahan (all of Indianapolis, Ind.); and her sister:  Evelyn (husband Robert) Chipps (Jacksonville, Fla.).  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Ind.

A memorial service celebrating Barbara’s life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center, 610 Wooster Road, Winona Lake, Ind., and officiated by Reverend Les Lofquist.  A private family graveside service will be conducted at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations in Barbara’s name may be directed to First Baptist Church of Oswego, 2985 E. Church Street, Warsaw, Ind.,  46582; or to Grace College and Theological Seminary, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, Ind.,  46590 and would be appreciated by the family.

Betty Lou Weaver, 1920-2017

Betty Lou Weaver, 96, of Winona Lake, Ind., formerly of Mishawaka, Ind., died at Grace Village on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

Betty was born Betty Lou Parker on August 24, 1920 in Kokomo, Ind., to the late Russell and Mamie Parker. Betty was united in marriage to Rev. Scott Weaver on December 24, 1940. Betty and Scott shared 70 years of marriage until Scott’s passing in 2011. Betty is survived by her son Gerie Lee Weaver of Las Vegas, Nev. Also surviving are two grandsons, Andy (Emily) McCargar of Elk Grove, Calif., and David (Kelly) McCargar of Walnut Creek, Calif. Betty was a loving and caring great-grandmother to six great-grandsons; Braden, Tyler, Zachary, Kolby, Grant, Ryan McCargar and great-granddaughter, Grace McCargar. Linda Annette (Weaver) McCargar, a daughter, precedes Betty in death.

Betty was a dedicated pastor’s wife. She was the perfect complement to Scott’s ministry at several churches the couple established in the Michiana area. Betty was a talented pianist and organist. She organized and coordinated women’s and children’s ministries. Betty was a beloved women’s mentor. Betty was a tireless worker for the cause of Christ.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 16, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main St., Mishawaka. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 17 at Noon at the funeral home with Dr. Robert Divine officiating. Burial is to follow the service at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola, Ind. Memorial contributions should be made to Grace Village, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.

Mason Cooper, a long-time Grace Brethren pastor and evangelist, died Saturday in Martinsburg, W. Va.  Services will be held Saturday in Martinsburg. His obituary appears below.

Mason Cooper, 1921-2017

Rev. Mason Cooper, 95, of Martinsburg, W. Va., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 14, 2017, under the care of Hospice.

Born September 19, 1921, in Roanoke, Va., he was the son of the late Oscar Littleton and Nettie Boothe Cooper.

He is survived by two sons, Robert and his wife, Jean, of Covington, Va., and Larry and his wife, Anita, and her father, Walter Ridenour, of Martinsburg, W.Va.; one brother, Harold Cooper and his wife Faye, of Wilmington, N.C., and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Alma Mae Cooper, three brothers, Stanford, Raymond and Linwood Cooper, four sisters, Reba Hewett, Nadine Puckett, Juanita Hale and Frances Hodges.

He served his country in the Navy during WWII. He and his family shared a fruitful and successful ministry for over 70 years that reached into many states and countries.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, January 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home with his son, Rev. Larry Cooper officiating.

Interment will be in Rosedale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430 or to the church of one’s choice in memory of him.

Word has been received of the death of Dean Risser, Grace Brethren pastor who had most recently served as an associate at Southview Grace Brethren Church, Ashland, Ohio. He led a number of Grace Brethren congregations over the years. His obituary appears below.

C. Dean Risser, August 26, 1926 – February 2, 2017

C. Dean Risser, 90, of Ashland, Ohio, was ushered into the presence of our Lord on Tuesday, February 2, 2017.

Dean was born on August 26, 1926 in Ashland, Ohio. He graduated from Ashland High School in 1944 and Bryan College in 1948.

Pastor Dean was known for his good sense of humor, he always had a joke to share. He was dedicated to his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He strived to impact others for God. He was known as a prayer warrior and faithful servant and Godly example to all he came into contact with. He had a love for music, especially bluegrass and classical, and enjoyed leading music at church. He always made time for others; his family, neighborhood children, friends and church members. He enjoyed wood working and was a grill master.

Dean married Ella Lee Hall on August 28, 1948. After graduating from Grace Seminary in 1954, he pastored a church in Johnson City, Tenn. Other pastorates were: Margate, Fla.; Coraopolis, Pa.; Lexington, Ohio; Marion, Ohio; Delaware, Ohio; and Southview Grace Brethren Church of Ashland, Ohio. He was involved in Grace Brethren District Missions for several years. In 1997, he received the Pastor of the Year Award during the National Conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ella Lee Risser; his two daughters, Janice (Ken) Swihart of Bellville, Ohio, and Joyce (Dave) Atkins of Wooster, Ohio; one son, Jonathan of Mansfield; grandchildren, Becky Kelley, Michael Kelley, Josh (Amber) Atkins and Amanda Atkins; one great granddaughter, Olivia Atkins. Also surviving is a half sister, Ann Gray; and a half brother, Ron Gray; several nieces and nephews; a sister in law, Betty Hall; and a brother in law, Gareld Hall.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Ruth (Owens) Risser; and a brother, Eldred Risser.

The family will receive friends from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2017, at the Wappner Funeral Directors, 308 Claremont Ave., Ashland, Ohio. A funeral service conducted by Dr. David Atkins and Rev. Mark Abel will be held on Monday, February 6, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at Southview Grace Brethren Church, 810 Katherine Ave., Ashland, Ohio. Additional visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the church. He will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Southview Grace Brethren Church or Sending Hope International.

Fred C. Raffensperger, a long-time member of  Grace Church of Lititz, Pa., died on Sunday, February 12. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 18 at Grace Church of Lititz.  A portion of the obituary appears below. Click here for the complete obituary, appearing in Lancaster Online.

Fred C. Raffensperger, Sr., 91, of Manheim, PA, formerly of Adams County, went to be with his heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Heart of Lancaster Medical Center in Lititz due to complications of pneumonia following a brief illness. Fred was the son of the late Emory E., Sr. and Nora Heiges Raffensperger. His first wife, Edith Henderson Raffensperger, died in 1984 and his second wife, Ethel Henderson Raffensperger, died in 2008.

Fred attended Grace Church of Lititz since 1977 where he faithfully visited members of the church who could no longer attend services. In 1938, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at a revival meeting at Mount Olivet United Brethren Church in Guernsey and was baptized in nearby Possum Creek. He and Edith rededicated their lives to Christ in 1950 at a Youth for Christ meeting in Gettysburg lead by the late Percy Crawford.

Read the rest of the obituary here.

William Lee Shelby, who previously pastored Grace Brethren churches in Chico, Calif., Grandview, Wash. and Prosser, Wash., died on Saturday, February 11. A portion of his obituary appears below. Click here for the complete obituary, appearing in the Tri-City Herald.

William (Bill) Lee Shelby went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on February 11, 2017. One of six children, Bill was born on Feb 9, 1933 in Terra Haute, Indiana to William and Bessie Shelby, growing up in Indiana and Michigan and moving 21 times before graduating from high school.

Bill became a Christian in 1956 and gave his Lord his all. He went to Grace Brethren Seminary starting in 1958. He became a minister of the Christian Church of Monroe, Indiana. He has pastored in the Grace Brethren churches in Chico, Calif.; Grandview, Wash.; and Prosser, Wash. His life verse is Jeremiah 33:3.

Read the rest of the obituary here.

Word has been received of the death of former Grace Brethren pastor, Dan Thompson. He died Thursday evening in Georgia. An obituary and funeral information will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Dan, with his wife, Jackie, led Grace Brethren congregations in Florida and Michigan. He is also survived by daughters Danielle, Summer, Windy, their husbands, and families. He also will be remembered as the son of Bob and Betty Thompson. (Bob was the executive director of Grace Brethren Home Missions, the church planting arm of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, in the 1980s, after serving as western field secretary of the organization for many years.)

Kittie Grill, mother of Grace College professors Steve Grill and the late Mike Grill, died Sunday at her home at Grace Village Retirement Center, Winona Lake, Ind. Her obituary appears below.

Kittie Grill, 1920-2017

Kittie Grill of Grace Village Retirement Community of Winona Lake, Indiana joyfully entered heaven at 4:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at her residence at the age of 96.

She was born on August 21, 1920 in Dayton, Ohio, to George W. Myers and Kittie (Erbaugh) Myers. On February 28, 1942 she married the love of her life Adam Edward “Eddie” Grill, he preceded her in death on December 8, 1987.

Kittie was a long-time resident of Dayton, Ohio where she and Eddie were extremely active in Grace Brethren church activities.  She was also the owner of the highly successful Dayton Nutra Foods health food store.  She was noted for using the proceeds from that store to support missionaries and pastors throughout America and the world.

Grace College was one the true passions of Kittie’s life and she displayed an “irrational attachment” to that institution. Since the early 1960’s, she was an enthusiastic prayer warrior for, and financial donor to, the college.

She was a member of Winona Literary Club and Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church. Most important to Kittie was her relationship to Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. One could not be in her presence very long without hearing about the miracle of salvation through Christ as well as her devotion to the reality that “all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

Kittie was unusually devoted to her family and will be lovingly remembered by her son:  Stephen (wife Susan) Grill (Winona Lake, Ind.); daughter-in-law:  Becky Grill (Winona Lake, Ind.); grandson:  Josh (wife Amy) Grill (Winona Lake, Ind.); and grandchildren Anna Grill, Ethan Grill, Sarah Roy, Brad Pickens, Evan Pickens, as well as three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her son E. Michael Grill in 2013.

Her funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2017, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Ind., and officiated by Rev. Tom Julien and Rev. Dick Anderson.  A private family graveside service will take place at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

There will be time for visitation an hour prior to the service on Friday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial donations in Kittie’s name may be directed to Grace College and Theological Seminary, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, Ind.  46590 and would be appreciated by the family.