11-13-09 Jaeson ('98) and Julie Tobin-- Jaeson, assistant pastor at Tomah Baptist Church was killed last night in a car crash. Pray for Tomah Baptist Church and his parents, Pastor Ron and Pat Tobin. Also pray for Pastor Tom and Marie Baker (Berean, Camp Douglas) who are parents of Jaeson's wife, Juli. In addition pray for Juli and their three children as they deal with this unexpected tragedy.
Jaeson was serving as assistant pastor working with the youth and also just this school year had become the school principal of Tomah Baptist Academy.
The visitation and service will be at Tomah Baptist Church- 1701 Hollister, Tomah. Visitation will be 4-8 PM Tuesday (Nov. 17th) and 9:30-10:30 AM Wednesday; the funeral will be at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, Nov. 18th.
10-7-09 Pastor John ('82) Erenz-- Rev. John J. Erenz, 67, of Freeport died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, at FHN Memorial Hospital. He was born Jan. 27, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wis., a son of Henry and Christine (Bronikowski) Erenz. John married Judy R. Johnson on April 18, 1965, in Milwaukee.
John was called into full-time Christian service after the Lord wonderfully saved him in June 1965.
He attended Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wis., and became pastor of Faith Baptist Church in New Berlin, Wis., in 1971. After earning his master’s degree from Maranatha in 1981, he and Judy moved to Corinth, Miss., where they both taught in Christian schools and John was assistant pastor at Grace Baptist.
He also pastored in Russellville, Ala., and then Washington, Pa., until they moved back to the Midwest in 1995 to become the pastor of Baileyville Baptist Church in Baileyville.
He retired from his 12 years of ministry there in 2007 and spent the next two years preaching in many churches, especially in Creston and at Grace Baptist Church, Marshfield, Wis.
His love was preaching the Gospel of Jesus and talking to many friends about his Lord. He was knowledgeable about many subjects and always enjoyed lively discussions from politics to sports. He loved his country and proudly served in the Navy Seabees from 1961 to 1967.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Judy, who has loved him since they met in 1959, and his many, many friends here and around the country.
John is survived by his wife, Judy of Freeport; two brothers, Henry (Nancy) Erenz of Milwaukee and Mark (Jean) Erenz of Athelstane, Wis.; sister-in-law, Carole (Avery) Wells of Olympia, Wash.; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
The funeral for Rev. John Erenz will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Pecatonica First Baptist Church with Pastor David Myers officiating. Burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his memory. Please visit www,burketubbs.com to sign his online guest book and to share memories.
8-17-09 Dr. David Cummins ('69) Dr. David Cummins, a member of the first Maranatha 
Board of Trustees, died Aug. 13 in Decatur, Ala., due to complications from cancer. He was 80.
Dr. Cummins was one of 13 men who met Sept. 14, 1968, to help guide the college during its first year of extistance. Maranatha awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1969. He was a board member from 1968-79 and 1981-90.
Dr. Cummins' five daughters all graduated from Maranatha--Mary (1973), Martha ('75), Miriam ('77), Michal ('80) and Myra ('83). All five married Maranatha grads. Twelve of his grandchildren are also Maranatha graduates.
His obituary follows:
Dr. David Cummins died at his home in Dunbarton Estates in Decatur, Alabama, Thursday night, August 13, from complications due to cancer. Surrounded by his wife and family members, he slipped peacefully into the presence of his Lord Whom he so faithfully served for nearly 60 years. He is survived by:
His wife of 59 years—Mary Lee (Ballard) Cummins
His sister—Pauline Rivers
Five daughters—Mary Gearhart of Davison, MI; Martha Love of Conyers, GA; Miriam Marriott of Warren, MI; Michal McIntosh of Livonia, MI; Myra Wright of Roscoe, IL
19 grandchildren
16 great-grandchildren
Visitation and funeral arrangements are as follows:
Visitation:
Sunday 7-9 p.m. - Shelton Funeral Home, 1701 Beltline Rd. SW, Decatur, AL 35603
Monday 6-8 p.m. - Shelton Funeral Home, 1701 Beltline Rd. SW, Decatur, AL 35603
Funeral:
Tuesday 11 a.m. – Calvary Baptist Church, 126 Douglass Rd., Huntsville, AL 35806 (Dr. Greg McLaughlin, Pastor)
Tuesday 2 p.m. – Internment at E. Lawrence Memorial Gardens, 3740 County Road 434, Moulton, AL 35650
There are no shuttles to provide transportation to/from the airport. Please make appropriate arrangements if you plan to fly into the Huntsville International Airport. Click here for a list of hotels in Decatur.
A memorial fund has been set up at Baptist World Mission in lieu of flowers. While anyone who knows Mary knows that she loves plants, she has many more than she can manage at this time. It has truly been the desire of Dr. and Mrs. Cummins that all gifts benefit that which is eternal through BWM. Memorial gifts can be sent to Baptist World Mission, PO Box 2149, Decatur, AL 35602 with a note that such gifts should benefit the "Dr. Cummins Memorial Fund."
Dr. and Mrs. Cummins moved to Decatur in 1997 to serve with Baptist World Mission. A board member of the mission since 1968 and long-time friend of former mission board director, Dr. Monroe Parker, and executive director emeritus, Dr. Fred Moritz, and current executive director, Dr. Bud Steadman, he assumed his new position as Deputation Director, replacing Dr. Ernest Pickering. Dr. Cummins’ duties included representing the mission at conferences in colleges and churches, preaching, recruiting new missionaries, and guiding missionary appointees through each step of the process to prepare them for their various countries of service around the world. He also traveled extensively to encourage missionaries on their appointed fields.
Ministry is the outstanding heritage of the Cummins family. Dr. Cummins’ grandfather, Christopher Columbus Metcalf, was a circuit-riding preacher in the mountains of North Carolina. He also pastored in Kentucky. Likewise guided by the passion to promote the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, Dr. Cummins embarked in 1950 on a succession of eight pastorates in Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, and Wisconsin. He also served for three years as a church planter for an association of churches in Michigan.
It is clear that the Cummins passed their vision on to their children, for they raised five daughters who all married Baptist pastors. The heritage continues in the new generation. Of their 19 grandchildren, 16 have completed ministry training. Two granddaughters currently serve in missions in Asia and South America, and two others are preparing to serve in Wales and Africa. Two granddaughters married Baptist pastors, one whose husband is planting a church in California. One grandson will soon launch a new church-planting effort in Wisconsin. Another serves on staff at a Bible college in Wisconsin, and three grandsons serve on the pastoral staffs of Baptist churches in Michigan and Illinois.
Desirous that his work live beyond him, Dr. Cummins was an advocate of the printed page. His extensive research of Baptist history and seminary lecture notes resulted in three volumes he co-authored entitled This Day in Baptist History. That he might influence the greatest number of fledgling preachers, he served as adjunct professor at several Bible colleges and donated his comprehensive library to Ambassador Baptist College of Lattimore, North Carolina, where they have developed the David L. Cummins Graduate Studies Library.
7-4-09 Joey Cheriyan ('91), age 41, son of V.K. Cheriyan ('74) and founder of the Independent Baptist Church Organization, died of TB in a Hyderabad hospital yesterday . He is survived by his wife, Shinie, at least 2 children, his parents, one brother (Samuel, '83) here in the States, and two sisters in India. Please pray for his family during this time.
5-26-09 Debbie (Wagner, '86) Anderson, age 43, a resident of Warren, Mich., went home to be with her Savior on Sat. May 23, 2009 at St. John Hospital in Detroit, Mich. Deborah was born July 17, 1965 in Buffalo, New York. She earned a B.S. degree in Secretarial Science at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI. She is survived by her husband Pastor David M. Anderson; Children David Jr., Danae, Daniel and Darcy. Parents Don and Lois Wagner; siblings, David Wagner, Darlene Barbic, Donna Hibbs, Don Wagner Jr., and Dawn Roden. Visitation will be Tuesday (26th) from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the A. H. Peters Funeral Home 32000 Schoenherr Rd. in Warren, MI. The funeral service will be Wednesday (27th) at 11 am at Faith Baptist Church, 26510 Schoenherr Road, Warren, MI 48088. Burial is planned for 2 pm at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Twp. Memorial contributions to the Anderson children's educational fund would be appreciated.
5-18-09 Howard ('93) “Howie” Arbogast, age 85, from Washington Court House, OH went to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. Howard was born on January 29, 1924 in Minneapolis, MN to the late Lawrence and Edna Arbogast. He had three sisters and two brothers. He married Judith Chase on October 28, 1961 in Camp Douglas, WI. Howard served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 - 1945 as a pharmacist mate 2nd class. He was stationed out of Pearl Harbor and served on numerous carriers. He served as the chapter 30 commander with the DAV in North Platte, NE, for 10 years where he received many awards in recognition for his service. After the war, Howard returned to Wisconsin to farm and to work residential construction. He worked 35 years for Capp Homes as a contractor and field supervisor. He was involved in helping many churches and Christian colleges with construction projects. Howard was a life-long sports enthusiast. After playing football and running track in high school, he enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren play sports. He was known for his charitable spirit and fondness for practical jokes which his children will carry on. At the time of his death, he was a member of Fayette Bible Church in Washington Court House, OH. He is survived by a brother, Larry (Kathy), of New Brighton, MN; sisters, Dorothy Green of Brownwood, TX and Mary (Hillery) Skiba of New Brighton, MN; his wife, Judy, of 47 years; sons, Roger (Elise) of San Juan, TX, Wayne (Shannon) of Watertown, WI, Randy (Sarah) of Chalmers, IN, and Bryon of Omaha, NE; daughters, Kaye (Arnold) Palmer of Lyndon Station, WI and Diana (Chet) Smith of North Platte, NE; 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bill; a sister, Ruth Norberg; a son, Kenneth “Butch”; a granddaughter, Cari Schroeder; great-grandsons, Tyler Schroeder and Philip Arbogast. Visitation and funeral service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Watertown, WI. Arrangements will be made through Hafemeister Funeral Home in Watertown, WI (920) 261-2218. He will be buried in a national cemetery.
2-17-09 Dr. William Peterson ('80), 83, went home to be with His Savior on Saturday, February 14th, 2009. The visitation and burial service will be Friday, February 20th,10:30 am at Newcomer Funeral Home in Denver, CO. A memorial service will be held at 10 Saturday morning at Beth Eden Baptist Church (Wheat Ridge, CO).
Note from his daughter Cindy: "At 12:05 a.m. this morning, Dad breathed his last breath here on earth and entered Heaven's Gates to live forever with God. His sick body has been gloriously replaced with a brand new eternal glorified body - never to suffer again (To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord). What a wonderful hope we have in God. We can only imagine what Dad must be doing right now, but we know his joy is full and he is well again. Glory to God!"
William Charles Peterson was born on December 5, 1925 on a farm outside of Lakota, Iowa. He grew up with his father and mother, Charles and Bessie Peterson. He had seven sisters named Ivadel, Evelyn, Wylma, Geneva, Phyllis, Ramona and Lois and one brother named Orland. There were also many great stories told about his Uncle Art.
Billy was led to believe that he was not able to become a Christian until he turned 12 years old. He also figured in his mind that he would have to wait until the revival came to town before he could go forward and be saved. It was torture to have to wait, and he worried that he might not live long enough to become a Christian. Well, he did and was eager to receive Christ as his Savior and then gave his life to serve the Lord.
After high school, Bill went to war. World War II was raging when he got to Germany. He came in toward the end of the Battle of the Bulge and did the clean-up work. He told sad stories of opening up the gates to concentration camps to give Jews and other prisoners their freedom when the war was over. Before he took off to boot camp, Bill remembers the admonition that his dear old pastor gave him. He said, “Do as Paul did and search out the Christians diligently,” and that’s just what he did. He met a godly man named Jimmy Wilson, and they led Bible studies together with other soldiers. As Jimmy Wilson lay dying in Bill’s arms one day on the battlefield, his last words were, “Keep the Bible studies going, Billy.” And that’s exactly what he did.
After marrying his college sweetheart, William and Grayce Peterson headed west to begin their first pastorate at the Bible Center Church in the small town of Paonia, Colorado. For the next 56 years, they pastored the following churches:
Grace Baptist Church – Laramie, WY
Elim Baptist Church – Wheat Ridge, CO
First Baptist Church – Keenesburg, CO
North Federal Baptist Church – Denver, CO
Oak Grove Baptist Church – Bartonville, IL
Yampa Valley Baptist Church – Craig, CO
Central City Baptist Church- Central City, NE
Out of these churches, there were five that needed new church buildings and Bill was involved in building programs. While pastoring churches, Bill and Grayce managed to add five children to their family. They had Colleen Sue, Randall William, Cynthia Kay, Merilee Ann and Timothy Kevin.
Along with pastoring churces, it was necessary for Bill to make more income for a growing family. Various side jobs he had were driving for Greyhound, taxi cab driver and school bus driver. He also spent several years at Martin Marietta working on the Titan II missile program managing the transportation at both Buckley Field and the main plant.
Bill was happy to serve as a board member of Baptist World Mission for 15 years, the President of Mountain States Baptist Fellowship for 10 years, and received his Honorary Doctorate of Divinity at Maranatha Baptist Bible College on May 17, 1980.
Bill’s life verse was Ephesians 3:8 – “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saint, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” And that’s just what he did. Everywhere he went, he shared the love of God with others and wanted everyone he came in contact with to know the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Dr. William Peterson is survived by his dear wife, Grayce, and their children (and spouses): Jim and Cindy ('77), Manfred and Colleen ('74), Randy ('75) and LaVerne, Dave and Merilee, Tim ('80) and Cynthia. Also, surviving are 11 grandchildren: Heather (99), Katie ('02), Nicholas ('07), Aaron ('05), Monica, Will, Marnae, Ben, Lynnae, Laura and Jason and 5 great- grandchildren (Hunter, Kayla, Hudson, Cayden and Jordyn).
10-11-08 Warren Brokering ('94), 41, of Terre Haute, Indiana left this earth to meet his heavenly Father on Thursday, October 10th, 2008 at 2:55 pm ET. He was born, Warren Keith Brokering, on April 13th, 1967 to Nancy Lynn Stout Richards of Shelbyville, Indiana. He spent his formative years in St. Paul, Indiana attending Hendricks Elementary, Waldron Junior High and Waldron High School where he excelled in wrestling and reached the state finals. In 1986, God gripped Warrens' heart and he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Following God's calling, he enrolled at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI. Beginning in 1986, Warren worked his way through college as he studied Youth Ministries. After many long years of sweat, toil and tears, Warren graduated in 1994. Warren entered the ministry as a Youth Pastor in a small church in Virginia and began influencing many lives for the cause of Christ. Later in his ministry, God called him to Bible Baptist Church in Terre Haute, Indiana. He faithfully served as a Youth Pastor for 10 years. It was during this time that he contracted lung and liver cancer. As he received chemo treatments and battled cancer he continued to minister to his youth group influencing hundreds of young people to serve Christ. God then opened a door for Warren to work with other cancer patients at Providence Medical Center/Coleman Cancer Center in Terre Haute, Indiana. He worked there as Chaplain for 2 years encouraging others in the Lord and leading many to Christ. Warren was preceded in death by his father, Max Brokering, and leaves behind his wife of 13 years, Tana (Rodabaugh) Brokering and three small children; Madelyn (8), Chloe (6) and Spencer (4). Also surviving Warren is his mother, Nancy (Larry) Stout Richards of Shelbyville, IN; grandmother, Norma Cox of St. Paul, IN; grandmother, Izzetta Brokering of Shelbyville; brothers, Scott (Tanya) Brokering of St Paul, IN. and Darin (Paula) Brokering of Shelbyville; sister, Melissa (Herb) DeSpain of Shelbyville; aunts, Sharon (Jim) Broughton of Shelbyville and Janie Newhouse of Indianapolis; in-laws, David and Ann Rodabaugh of Coon Rapids, MN. Lastly, his multiple nieces and nephews and extended family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Warren Brokering through 5th/3rd Bank at 2511 Poplar Avenue Terre Haute, IN. Phone number: 812-462-0376. Please request your gift to be placed in the Brokering account ending in 001.
9-29-08 Geraldine Ott ('75)-- Geraldine went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 25, 2008. Please be praying for the family. Graveside services for Mrs. Geraldine Johanna Ott, 67, will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday September 30, 2008 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Longanville, WI with Pastor Dean Howell officiating. The family will have visitation services on Sunday, September 28, 2008 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm and on Monday, September 29, 2008 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Grace Baptist Church in Madison, WI.
Mrs. Ott was born on July 6, 1941 and passed away on September 25, 2008 after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Alice Wille and her brother, Marland Wille.
Left to cherish her memories are her husband of 48 years, Duane Ott of Singapore; one son, Daniel Ott and his wife Cindy of Aurora, MO; four daughters, Scarlette Steuerwald and her husband John of Whitewater, WI, Melanie Sasek and her husband Todd of Ringgold, LA, Candace Flores and her husband Patrocinio of Farmington, NM, Victoria Johnsonbaugh and her husband DeWayne of Carmel, IN; one brother, William “Bill” Wille of Black Earth, WI; seventeen grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be William Wille, Daniel Ott, John Steuerwald, Todd Sasek, Patrocinio Flores, and DeWayne Johnsonbaugh. Cliff Oldre will be the honorary pallbearer.
Mrs. Ott and her husband have spent much of their lifetime in the mission field. They began their ministries as Baptist missionaries in India where they stayed for two years before moving to Singapore. There they started Grace Independent Baptist Church and have served for twenty-eight years. The family would like to thank Grace Independent Baptist Church and all the supporting churches in the United States for their much needed prayers, support and gifts.
Services will be held at Grace Baptist Church (1801 S. Thompson Drive, Madison, WI 53716). Service times are as follows: Visitation Sunday 4-6pm with 6pm service to follow; Visitation Monday 6-7pm with 7pm service to follow, and Graveside service Tuesday at 10 am. If you would like to send cards or flowers, please send them to Grace Baptist Church.
7-21-2008 Carl Lewis Fink, Born April 11, 2008 and went home with the Lord on July 18, 2008. He is survived by his parents, Kim and Jennifer (Schmieder, '98), 3 brothers - Charles, Curtis and Craig- 1 Sister, Camille, plus Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, and many cousins. The Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 22 at Dunlap Funeral Home, 604 S. Main Street in Fort Atkinson, WI from 5-8. The Funeral will be Wednesday, July 23 at Bible Baptist Church in Utica (2095 Hwy W, Stoughton)- visitation from 12:30-1:15 Pm and the service at 1:30 PM. There will be a luncheon following the burial service at First Baptist Church in Fort Atkinson(406 Whitewater Ave).
7-9-2008 RuthAnn (MacKellar, '70) Prentice, 60 died Saturday, June 7, 2008 at home in Gilbert AZ after struggling to recover from a serious Traumatic Brain Injury on May 16th 2006 while recovering from an intestinal surgery. Ruth served her Lord in Maranatha's Gospel Light trio, church secretaries, church pianist and organist, substitute pianist, Awana Chum director, Sunday School and choir pianists, Loving Wife, Mom and Grandmother. Even though Ruth battled Psoriatic Arthritis for 30 years that deformed her fingers, she played the piano as she did at Maranatha's first piano recital and typed 95 words a minute. Her determination was indescribable, as she just would not quit, no mater what the physical ailment was. This was just the quality characteristic that she had when it came to serving her Lord in many multifaceted ministries. Her husband lovingly cared for her at home 24/7 for 2 years trying to get her strong enough to the stand and walk but God decided to reward her faithfulness by calling her home and instantly healing so she could walk, talk and enjoy a pain free body! Though she worked at Intel for 15 years, her first love was to be used in any type of service in her church especially by her number one love of playing the piano. She is survived by her husband, Donald Prentice ('74) and their daughter Melissa Austin and grandson James. Ruth is also survived by her mother, sister and two brothers.
6-2-2008 Cheyenne Noel Caincross (2yrs old) went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 24th, 2008. She is survived by her parents, Pastor Aaron and Karisa of Greenbush (Greenbush Community Baptist Church); a brother, Dakota; a sister Sierra; grandparents, Nelson and Barbara Bonner of Hemlock and Hugh and Nancy Caincross of Ypsilanti; great-grandparents; Kenneth and Eva Kelly of Saginaw and Gladyce Bonner of Buchanan; several aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins.
Visitation will be on Monday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Buresh & Bennett Funeral Home in Oscoda. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Oscoda Baptist Church. Pastor Denver DeKeyser will officiate with interment to take place on Wednesday at the Richland Township Cemetery in Hemlock.
3-19-2008 (Coach) Jerry Terrill promoted to Glory - - Maranatha basketball and baseball coach and dear friend of Maranatha, Jerry suffered a severe stroke on Tuesday, March 11, and then passed away on Friday, March 14.The Lord has already saved a 92-year old gentleman that the Terrills had been praying for. Please pray that the celebration of Jerry's life will bear more fruit. We rejoice that he is walking with his Savior and has a new body now. The church family is supplying meals for the week and perhaps beyond. Jerry left a mark on many individuals lives saved and unsaved. We all have our memories to cherish until we meet again.The family would appreciate your prayer and support. If you would like to send a note of encouragement to the family, their address is: N5404 Felsen Ridge Court, Johnson Creek, WI, 53038.
Visitation is Tuesday, March 18 at Calvary Baptist in Watertown, WI from 5-8 PM and again Wednesday March 19 before the service.
Funeral will be at Calvary Baptist in Watertown on Wednesday March 19 at 11:00 with burial at Ebenezer Cemetery outside Watertown. A luncheon will be served back at the church. Pray for the service and for Pastor Akins, the plan of salvation will be presented. There will be many unsaved present.
1-3-2008-- Stephanie J. Schwartz ('99) age 31, of 506 Circle Lane, Lewistown, died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. Born Oct. 11, 1976, in Sellersville, she was the daughter of Philip M. and Arlene Miller Schwartz, who survives. Also surviving are brothers, Andy Schwartz, of Perkasie, and Jeremy Schwartz, of Lewistown. She was employed with the Centre County Christian Academy in Bellefonte and the Lewistown Trust Company. She was a member of Calvary Bible Church and Children’s Ministries of the Church. She also loved to read and work with children. Her funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Calvary Bible Church, with Rev. Howard Houtz and Rev. James R. Smith Jr. officiating. Interment will be at Mount Rock Cemetery in Lewistown. Her viewing will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Barr Funeral Home Inc., 120 Logan St., Lewistown. Memorial contributions may be made to Stephanie J. Schwartz Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Calvary Bible Church, 100 Calvary Lane, Lewistown, PA 17044, or Centre County Christian Academy, Hartzler Drive, Bellefonte, PA 16823.
Click here to view alumni deaths from 2001-07