January 1999 News Archive
1/27/99
Alice Eddington Winzeler, the mother of Ruth Seilhamer,
passed away Tuesday, January 26. She was a member of Lake View UB
of Camden, Mich. The funeral will be held there on Saturday. Bishop
Ray Seilhamer is currently in Florida, but will fly back early for
the funeral. Alice was 82 years old. Ruth's home address is: 3442
E-722 N, Huntington, IN 46750.
Daryl Elliott, senior pastor of Mount Pleasant UB in Chambersburg,
Pa., was diagnosed on Monday, January 26, with what appears to be
a form of leukemia. For several weeks, he had been feeling tired
and ill. During last week's meetings of the Huntington College Board
of Trustees, Daryl excused himself several times because he wasn't
feeling well. He returned to Chambersburg on Saturday and preached
on Sunday. Blood tests taken the next day all point to leukemia,
though doctors haven't determined the exact type of leukemia.
Beginning today, January 27, Daryl begins three weeks in the hospital,
during which he will undergo chemotherapy. Initially, it will be
a very aggressive chemotherapy, which is why doctors want him to
be hospitalized. Doctors say Daryl's young age--he is 40--is in his
favor. After determining the type of leukemia, the doctors will know
whether he can be treated most effectively in Chambersburg, or will
need to go to another hospital.
Chris Little, associate pastor of Mount Pleasant, wrote, "Daryl
strives to leave this matter in the Lord's hands. We have prayed
together and annointed him with oil for healing. Daryl and Ruthann
have two children, Mark and Ashley, and they will be going through
this process as well. Please pray for the whole family." Daryl Elliott,
2509 Black Gap Road, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
Don and Leora Ackerman were planning to leave for Honduras
on January 30 to spend two weeks directing a work crew in building
a church in El Porvenir. Instead, Don landed in the hospital with
a blood clot on his right leg. Don and Leora, former missionaries
to Honduras, are members of Patricia Park UB of Des Moines, Iowa.
Leora writes, "Don is very disappointed, but the Lord watches over
His own. If this had happened down there it might have been serious.
As it was, he got help immediately." The pain is gone, but he's still
bedridden.
Wayne Goldsmith will become interim pastor of Otterbein
UB of Rockford, Ohio, beginning February 1. He is a retired minister
who most recently served the Hillsdale, Mich., church in Michindoh
Conference.
1/26/99
Mrs. Paul Middaugh Fighting Cancer. Many of you know Beulah
Middaugh, the widow of longtime UB pastor Paul Middaugh and sister-in-law
to DeWitt and Evelyn Baker. Cancer has been discovered in one of
her lungs, and it has progressed to a serious state (stage 4). Beulah
is a member of Christ Fellowship UB in Westerville, Ohio. UB Church
in Westerville, Ohio.
Mike and Michelle Newman are the parents of a baby boy,
their first child. Jeb Michael was born January 19. Mike is pastor
of Otterbein UB in Waynesboro, Pa.
1/25/99
Otterbein UB of Rockford, Ohio, Suffers Severe Fire Damage. A
major fire struck the Otterbein UB church of Rockford, Ohio, early
Saturday morning on January 23. The offices, restrooms, and foyer
were destroyed, and the sanctuary sustained extensive damage. Central
Conference Superintendent Tom Brodbeck sent the following report
on the fire.
"Early in the morning (approximately 2:00 a.m.) on Saturday, January
23rd, a major fire was discovered in the church facility, which is
located near Rockford, OH. As I understand it, the fire was seen
from a distance by a sheriff's deputy who was patrolling in the area
and went to investigate the 'orange glow' he saw.
"The fire began in the pastor's study. While arson has not yet
been fully ruled out, it appears that the fire was caused by a couch
that had been sitting too close to a heat register. Arson dogs "hit" on
a couple of spots that are currently being tested, although the fire
marshal feels the couch is the more likely cause.
"Damage to the facility is fairly extensive. The entire northern
portion of the church, which housed the pastor's office, the secretary's
office, restroom facilities and foyer is basically gutted. The sanctuary
experienced extensive smoke damage. The heat was intense enough that
sap from the wooden ceiling dripped onto the pews below. Carpeting
and pew upholstery are ruined. The finish on the pews has blistered.
Walls and other furniture are black. The church's basement area,
which housed almost all of the educational and fellowship ministries
suffered far less damage.
"On Sunday, January 24th, the church met for worship at 1:00 p.m.
in a nearby Presbyterian Church, which itself had been destroyed
by a fire 12 years ago. Plans are to hold future worship services
in the former Calvary UB Church (which is used as a youth center
by Otterbein currently).
"Rev. Tom Stricker is serving the church as an interim pastor at
the present time. David Riddle was the former pastor of the church.
Because of the interim situation, the pastors office had only minimal
material in it. Most of the loss there was furnishings.
"It appears at the present time that the church will have adequate
insurance coverage. The adjuster has yet to make a report. In a few
days, the church hopes to restore phone service, using the same number
with the calls being forwarded to the church secretary's home. The
mailing address for the church will be 112 First Street, Rockford,
OH 45582. I request your prayers for this congregation. They are
facing a significant number of key decisions as the next few weeks
unfold."
1/21/99
Bishop Clyde Meadows Celebrates His 98th Birthday. Dr. Clyde
Meadows turned 98 on January 3. He was born on that date in 1901
in Pamplin, Va. A celebration was held at the church he attends,
First UB of Columbus, Ohio. The photo above shows Dr. Meadows in
the middle with Pastor Roger Martin and wife Phyllis Meadows.
Orville Merillat's Funeral on January 20. The auditorium
at the Christian Family Centre in Adrian, Mich., was packed for the
funeral of Orville Merillat. Various people spoke, each representing
an aspect of Orville Merillat's life or passion. Bishop Seilhamer
spoke concerning his impact on the church, Dr. G. Blair Dowden spoke
concerning Huntington College, and Bishop Emeritus C. Ray Miller
gave the main message.
Rhodes Grove Camp Looking for a Camp Administrator. Rhodes
Grove Camp, Chambersburg, PA, is seeking to fill the position of
Camp Administrator. This is a full-time position with management
skills required. Knowledge in accounting, financial reporting, and
computer skills is essential. This person must also have good communication
skills. For more information, call the camp at (717) 375-4162 or
send resume' to: Rhodes Grove Camp, 7693 Brown's Mill Rd., Chambersburg,
PA 17201. Att: Dave Thrush, director.
1/18/99
Orville Merillat passed away Friday night, January 15. The
founder of Merillat Industries, a self-made multi-millionaire, was
also a dedicated Christian and a faithful member of the Trenton Hills
UB church of Adrian, Mich. Over the years, Dr. Merillat has invested
millions of dollars in United Brethren causes--various buildings
at Huntington College, UB camps, numerous UB churches, a variety
of Missions endeavors, and much more.
The funeral will be held Wednesday, January 20, at the Christian
Family Centre in Adrian, Michigan. Visitation will be Monday and
Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., and again Wednesday from
1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Christian Family Centre (phone: 517-263-6232).
Harold Wust Diagnosed with Cancer. Harold Wust, a former
UB missionary to Honduras and former Associate Director of Missions,
had surgery Friday, January 13, to remove a tumor from a small intestine.
It was a routine surgery with a high rate of success--and, indeed,
it was successful. However, in the process, doctors discovered cancer
in both the liver and colon. The small tumor on the colon was cut
away, but they couldn't do anything about the liver cancer; it is
an untreatable form of cancer, and a transplant is not possible.
The surgeon told the family that Harold has 6-12 months to live.
Dan Wust, one of Harold's sons, returned from Honduras to be with
his parents during the surgery. Harold Wust, 5320 N 200 W, Huntington,
IN 46750.
Petie Wust sent the following information about the situation:
Dan made a trip to the U.S. this past Wednesday to be with his
mom and dad because his dad, Harold, was scheduled to have a self-contained
cancer tumor removed from his small intestine. The success rate of
this type of surgery was 95% with no further type of treatment needed.
Everyone, including the surgeon, was very optimistic.
Dan made it to the U.S. just fine and it was a great surprise for
his mom and dad to see Dan walk through the door--we had kept it
a secret from them because we knew they would try to talk Dan out
of coming because of all that he is involved in here in Honduras.
Anyway, the surgery was yesterday morning, Friday, and the tumor
was removed and that was a success. However, during surgery the doctors
looked over the colon and liver and found more cancer. There was
a small tumor on his colon which they were able to cut away, but
the tumor in the liver is of some great concern. The doctors were
not able to do anything about the liver at that time because Harold
had already been on the operating table for quite some time. I understand
that this type of cancer is not treatable with radiation or chemotherapy.
The family asked about a liver transplant. Because of the type of
cancer and because the cancer did not originate in the liver, a transplant
is not an option. To say the least the family was very shocked when
the surgeon told them about finding more cancer.
The outcome does not look good. The surgeon told the family to
prepare themselves that Harold has about six months to a year. The
doctors are doing some more testing today and maybe that will give
us a better idea of what to expect.
I write you because we would like you all to please lift up Harold
to the Lord our Great Physician. When news like this is presented,
the enemy wants us to think of the worst, but God can do a grand
miracle in Harold's life. I ask that you pray for comfort and a peace
that passes all understanding to all the family but especially for
Harold. I'm sure there is a lot of asking "why" and "how" can this
be?
Please pray for Dan as he is away from the kids and me. It is hard
to be 2,000 miles away in a different country when the rest of the
family is going through hard times. A big part of me wants to be
right there with them in Huntingon, Ind.
Hurricane Fund Update. The Hurricane Mitch Relief Fund has
passed the $250,000 mark. With the relief funds, we purchased a plot
of land in the town of Sava on which we can build around 25 homes
for people who lost their homes in the hurricane. Some workers from
the US are there now building a couple homes. This is an exciting
effort, and something which we might be able to repeat in other locations
thanks to the generosity of UB people in North America. Related sites:
Main Mitch Page, UB Church Contributions.
People Traveling for Missions
- Missions Director Kyle McQuillen is headed to Honduras for their
annual conference, which begins January 20.
- Russ and Nellie Birdsall arrived safely in Macau. They went as
volunteers (their third time in Macau) to fill in during Jennifer
Blandin's furlough.
- Donna Hollopeter, executive secretary of the Women's Missionary
Fellowship, along with her husband Jason, left January 18 for a
visit to Hong Kong, Macau, and India--their first visit to that
part of the world.
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