Obituaries and memorial notices
This alphabetical collection shares memorial notices for Christian leaders, ministers, missionaries, and faithful servants. Each entry includes key biographical details, ministry history, and service information where available.
- Entries are listed alphabetically by name.
- Notices highlight ministry roles, family survivors, and community service.
- Many include service dates, locations, and suggested memorial gifts.
Obituaries
(Listed alphabetically)
Patricia Ann “Pat” Avery, 72, of Oklahoma City, OK, died Dec. 2. She was born Aug. 24, 1933, in Fort Dodge, IA, to Richard and Velma (Carlstrom) Terpstra. After graduating from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, IA, in 1951, she attended Cincinnati (OH) Bible College, before transferring her junior year to Lincoln (IL) Christian College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Christian education. On Aug. 16, 1958, in Des Moines, she married James H. Avery, and together they shared more than 47 years of marriage, raising four children, all while faithfully serving in God’s kingdom. In 1968, she moved from Clinton, IA, to the Oklahoma City area, where the family has been active in the community and served in ministry for the past 37 years. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Alongside her husband, she faithfully served the Lord fulfilling numerous positions and duties as pastor’s wife until her death. She was preceded in death by her sister, Donna Rae Myers. In addition to her husband, Jim, she is survived by her children, Michael William Avery, Brent Richard Avery, Leigh Ann Moffatt, and Christopher James Avery; two sisters, Mary Jo Ruppert and Gretchen Kay Patterson; and five grandchildren. A service to celebrate her life was conducted Dec. 6 at Draper Park Christian Church, Oklahoma City, OK. Interment followed at Resthaven Memory Gardens.
Ethel Mae Beckman died of heart failure Aug. 7 after 12 weeks in the hospital following a stroke. She was born Sept. 14, 1916, in Center Township, Rock County, WI, the eldest child of Sherman and Mabel Brown. She became a Christian and developed a desire to become a missionary while living with her Uncle Waldo and Aunt Jennie Brown in Kimball, MN, during her freshman year in high school. She graduated from Orfordville (WI) High School in 1935 and received a scholarship to Milton (WI) College. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1939 and taught for two years at Orfordville High School. During World War II she worked at a war plant in Beloit, WI. The stories of returning American soldiers challenged her to consider the need of the Japanese people. In January 1946 she enrolled at the School of Religion of Butler University (Indianapolis, IN) with the goal of becoming a missionary to Japan. There she met George Hoeft Beckman, who was also studying to become a missionary to Japan. Harold and Leone Cole recruited them to become teachers at Osaka Bible Seminary. The couple were married in Sweeny Chapel at Butler on June 10, 1947, and arrived in Yokohama on Dec. 28, 1948. During their first term of service they lived in Kyoto City and started a family; John was born in 1950, Jenann in 1952, Mary in 1953, and Ruth in 1955. The Sakyo Church of Christ also started in their home. During their second term of service the Beckmans stayed in furloughed missionaries’ homes at Osaka Bible Seminary and Hirakata City, contributing to the local ministries in both places. During their third term of service the Beckmans moved to Nishinomiya City and assisted with two congregations that merged in 1988, at which time the Beckmans moved to Takarazuka City. With the help of Daiki Kishimoto, the Megumi congregation had its start in their new house-and-church building. In addition to teaching Sunday school in churches and classes at Osaka Bible Seminary, she taught Bible classes for women in her home until caring for George took all her time. She also started monthly meetings for women of the church. George died April 22, 1997. She is survived by one sister, Geri Nelson of Janesville, WI; one brother, Lloyd Brown of Thornton, CO; one son, John of Cheyenne, WY; three daughters, Jenann of Takarazuka City, Japan; Mary of St. Mary’s, GA; and Ruth Hinson of Tanabe City, Japan; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Her body was donated to the medical department of Osaka University, after which it will be cremated; her ashes will be buried at Hattori Cemetery in Toyonaka City. Motonobu Ikeda, preacher for the Megumi Church of Christ, spoke Sept. 4 at the memorial held at the church building, and Akinori Nakano, president of Osaka Bible Seminary, spoke Sept. 5 at the memorial at the seminary.
Ellis B. Beeman, 84, died June 3 at his residence near West Burlington, IA. He was born May 27, 1921, in Richland County, WI, the son of Alva N. and Winnie H. Clark Beeman. On April 14, 1946, he married Lucille M. Sorenson; she died Nov. 22, 1983. On July 27, 1985, he married his college sweetheart, Mary Charlotte Wilson McDonald. Beeman received his bachelor’s degree in ministry from Minnesota Bible College (now called Crossroads College), then located in Minneapolis. The Church of Christ ordained him into the ministry July 23, 1944, in Richland Center, WI. He was a student minister with the Lamberton (MN) Church of Christ, then at Kimball, MN. He served one year with the Black Oak Church of Christ, Gary, IN; nearly seven years with the Tampico (IL) Church of Christ; then moved to Monmouth, IL, in 1957 and served with First Christian Church for more than 32 years. He served with the Stockport, IA, church four years before retiring in 1994 after 54 years in the ministry. Mr. Beeman worked with youth camps through the years—MINN-IA-DAK and Pine Haven Christian Assembly in Minnesota; Cedar Lake camp in Indiana; and Rock River and LaMoine champs in Illinois. He also worked with the YMCA and the Monmouth Community Hospital chaplains’ staff. He was active in area youth activities, men’s fellowships, and area ministers’ meetings. He was a member and elder of West Burlington Christian Church in Iowa. Survivors include his widow, Mary Charlotte Beeman of West Burlington, IA; three daughters, Peggy Goodman and Diana Appel, both of Lincoln, IL, and Lisa Rivas of West Burlington; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one brother, Vaughn of Springfield, IL. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Verl and Ellwood. Memorials have been established at Crossroads College in Rochester, MN, and the West Burlington Christian Church.
Warren Earl Bell, 81, died at his Scotts Valley, CA, home April 11. Born Sept. 7, 1923, in Idaho, he grew up in Portland, OR. He attended San Jose (CA) Bible College and received his master’s degree from San Jose State. He served as a minister in Gresham, OR, for 19 years, taught at San Jose Bible College, and then served as the pastor at Valley Christian Church in Concord, CA, from 1976 until retiring in 1995. He had lived in Scotts Valley for five years. Mr. Bell is survived by his wife of 62 years, Edith; three sons, Warren of Santa Cruz, CA, Nathan Allen of West Linn, OR, and Michael John of Redwood City, CA; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Matthew. Memorial services were at the High Street Community Church in Santa Cruz on April 21, with pastor Don Ferris officiating. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice Caring Project, 6851 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA 95003 or Kainos Home and Training Center, 3631 Jefferson St., Redwood City, CA 94062.
Russell E. Boatman, 91, of Lincoln, IL, died Nov. 5 at St. Clara’s Manor. Mr. Boatman was a minister with a distinguished career in Christian higher education. He was born Aug. 19, 1914, in Mountain Grove, MO, a son of Andrew and Verba Boatman. He held two baccalaureate and two master’s degrees, graduating from Northwest Christian College, Eugene, OR, and Phillips University, Enid, OK. He ministered with churches in Harrisburg, OR, Nash and Sperry, OK, and Wichita, KS. He served as president of Minnesota Bible College in Minneapolis from 1945 to 1962, and as dean/dean emeritus at St. Louis Christian College, Florissant, MO, from 1962 to 1992. He served on the boards of numerous mission and service agencies. He was an avid runner and fisherman, and a member of Lincoln (IL) Christian Church. He spoke widely at churches and conventions and authored numerous magazine and journal articles. He wrote four books: What the Bible Says about the End Times, What the Bible Says about the Church, What the Bible Says about the Holy Spirit, and Beyond Death. In 1948 he joined Billy Graham and other Bible college presidents to form the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges. Mr. Boatman married Lutie Kenney Aug. 25, 1935. She died Aug. 28, 1997, after 62 years of marriage. Survivors include four children, Charles of Fallbrook, CA, David of Danbury, WI, Paul of Lincoln, IL, and Elizabeth Passwater of Joplin, MO; four siblings, Nadine Rotolo of Fontana, CA, John Boatman of San Bernardino, CA, Mary Miller of Oceanside, CA, and Janet Van Meetren of Las Vegas, NV; 14 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, one brother, and two infant grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at Lincoln Christian Church on Nov. 8, with John Castelein and Paul Odom officiating. Memorials may be given to the Boatman Scholarship Fund at St. Louis Christian College or the Boatman Scholarship Fund at Lincoln Christian Seminary.
Raymond Paul Boden, 81, of Warsaw, IN, died in his sleep May 23 after a lengthy illness. For 40 years, he served as minister in Christian churches in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. He was a good preacher and skillful teacher, but was best known for his ability as an evangelist. Teaching the Word in weekly study around the kitchen table, he brought whole families to Jesus, and many of them have become church leaders themselves. Born March 25, 1924, in Barberton, OH, to Clarence E. and Gladys Harden Boden, he married Carol Diamond July 4, 1946. In addition to his widow, he is survived by three children, Becky Earl of Warsaw, Tim of Greenville, MS, and Chris Davis of Lynnwood, WA; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Mr. Boden was a 1953 graduate of Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary. He served with the Holmesville (OH) Church of Christ, Concord Church of Christ (Johnstown, OH), Northway Church of Christ (South Bend, IN), Hamilton (IN) Christian Church, Southview Church of Christ (South Bend), First Christian Church (Warsaw), and Lakeside Christian Church (Springfield, IL). After his retirement, he served in an unpaid leadership role with the Monroe Street Christian Church in Springfield. For the last six years, he and his wife lived with daughter Becky Earl in Warsaw. On May 29, a memorial celebration was conducted at First Christian Church in Warsaw with Ed Erskin officiating. Memorials may be directed to the Danny Pitzer Memorial Fund at First Christian Church, 202 W. Main St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Max E. Brandon, 79, died July 13 at his home in Urbana, IL, after a brief illness. He was born in Ferris, IL, April 28, 1926, the son of Valesco and Geraldine Brandon. In addition to his widow, Betty (Dyar), he is survived by four children, Denny, Darrel, Donald, and Debra Kilgallin; one foster daughter, Maurine Collett; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Richard; and one sister, Wanda Ensor. He was preceded in death by one brother, Charles. Beneath his name and picture in the Kentucky Christian College yearbook was the single word “Evangelist.” He was honored by that title, and he honored his calling first in student ministries in Kentucky, then by conducting revival meetings and serving in located ministries, beginning at his home church in Adrian, IL. He was a sought-after speaker, writer, supply preacher, and counselor. Over the years, he had the privilege of baptizing parents, brothers, sister, and children. In more than 50 years he baptized 892 people, and married or buried hundreds more. For three and a half years, the Brandons were in full-time evangelistic work throughout the Midwest. He served faithfully for 59 years as minister in several Christian churches. He was a college professor at Rend Lake, IL, and Moberly, MO. He also served as development manager at Central Christian College in Moberly, Lincoln (IL) Christian College, and St. Louis (MO) Christian College. He owned farms in Champaign, Douglas, and Jefferson counties in Illinois. A special service of worship was held in his memory July 17 at First Christian Church of Champaign, IL with ministers J.P. Jones and Mike Kilgallin officiating. All of his children participated. Memorials may be made to the Max and Betty Brandon Ministerial Scholarship Fund, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, 100 Campus Drive, Lincoln, IL 62656.
Aaron Parker Brown, 84, of Gridley, CA, died March 4 at his residence. Born in Berkeley, CA, he was raised in Wheatland, CA, by his parents, Jim and Hazel Brown, and he graduated from East Nicolaus High School and Yuba College. He served in the Army Air Corps in Europe during World War II. After the war he attended San Jose (CA) Bible College, graduating in 1950. His ministries included the Christian churches in Taft and Redlands, CA, and 19 years with Gridley Christian Church, where he had continued as a member. He served as director of many Christian camps, president of a ministerial association, director of released time Bible school, and board member of San Jose Christian College and the Northern California Evangelistic Association. He directed the California Schools of Mission and the Gridley Emergency Relief Service for many years. He and his wife conducted weekly services at local convalescent hospitals and guest homes. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Della June (Schnier) Brown of Gridley; three daughters, Shirley Whitney of Santa Rosa, CA, Bonnie Schnepel of Gridley, and Janice Comstock of Gilroy, CA; two sons, David of Las Vegas, NV, and Allen of Castro Valley, CA; 20 grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; one great-grandson; and five stepgreat-grandchildren. Other survivors include one brother, Jim of Citrus Heights, CA; five sisters, Alice Coate of Petaluma, CA, Betty Pease of Fort Jones, CA, Iris Gregory of Orangevale, CA, Julia Bullard of West Sacramento, CA, and Pat McGeary of Sacramento, CA. A Celebration of Life service was conducted March 12 at the Gridley Christian Church with his sons officiating. Burial was at Wheatland. Memorials may be sent to Heavenly Hills Christian Camp, P.O. Box 1628, Twain Harte, CA 95383.
Donald Melvin Bullock, 72, died Sept. 17 at his home in Oak Ridge, TN. He was born Feb. 15, 1933, in Reading, OH, to Coy and Leta Bullock. Mr. Bullock held degrees from Kentucky Christian University in Grayson; Maumee Valley School of Nursing in Toledo, OH; Indiana University in Bloomington, IN; and St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, IN. He served as a minister in churches in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Tennessee. He pastored West Village Christian Church in Oak Ridge for 20 years. After his retirement in 1995, he continued to teach a Sunday school class. He was a member of Faith Masonic Lodge No. 756, of Oak Ridge, the York Rite Bodies of Oak Ridge, Knoxville Scottish Rite, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite of Oak Ridge, and a member of the Lion’s Club in Ohio. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jewel Wellene of Oak Ridge; four daughters, Pamela Rettig of Findlay, OH, Diane Sieffert of Lansing, MI, Lynette Bullock of Oak Ridge, Becky Campbell of Oak Ridge; one son, Tim of Oak Ridge; one brother, Denver of Cincinnati; one sister, Joyce Anderson of Crossville, TN; nine grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. His memorial service was conducted Sept. 21 at West Village church. Memorial contributions may be made to West Village Christian Church, 637 Robertsville Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.
Bonnie Janet Lillibridge Lanoue, 87, died Dec. 16 in Tulsa, OK, at home with her beloved family surrounding her. Mrs. Lanoue was a graduate of Pierre (SD) High School, class of 1936. After graduation she worked at the Statehouse. During her eight-year career she worked in the Department of Tourism on the Mount Rushmore project and served as secretary to the governor of South Dakota—all prior to her six-week engagement and subsequent marriage to “the love of her life,” Lionel William “Bill” Lanoue, on Oct. 20, 1944, at the Amarillo Army Air Base Chapel in Amarillo, TX. They served in the U.S. Army for more than 30 years and traveled the world. They were instrumental in starting and working in Christian churches wherever they were stationed. Lifelong supporters of missions, they opened their home to foreign missionaries from throughout Southeast Asia while stationed in Japan, Greece, and Thailand. Mrs. Lanoue was a devoted Restoration Movement worker and never wavered in her faith; she converted her husband to Christ, and taught her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren through singing, teaching, and service. In addition to her husband, Bill, Mrs. Lanoue is survived by two daughters, Nancy Presko of Lancaster, KY, and Bonnie DeEtte Lanoue of Tulsa, OK; one son, Glenn William Lanoue of Tulsa; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Glenn and Janet Lillibridge, and three brothers—Wilferd, DeVilla, and Charles Lillibridge. Son-in-law John Presko conducted the memorial service Dec. 19 at Hayhurst Funeral Home in Broken Arrow, OK. Burial was at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. Memorials may be made to Northside Christian Church, 1201 N. Elm Place, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Online tributes may be expressed at Hayhurstfuneralhome.com.
Author: Christian Standard
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