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Out of obedience to God's Great Commission, to produce disciple making churches that will lead our world to Christ.
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MEMORIALS
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| Rev. Henry Le Roy Pearce Martha Dell Jones Eddie Paulus Southard Rev. Gillard I. Evans Rev. Harold K. Hatton | |||
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Rev. Henry Le Roy Pearce Le Roy was born on May 29, 1916 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin; son of Harry S. and Stella Mae (Turner) Pearce. He married Mildred M. Osborn, whom he lovingly referred to as "Red," on November 21, 1941 in Streator, IL. Le Roy and Mildred were a devoted team through their ministry and his devotion to her was especially evident during the last several years of her life that were spent in a coma at a nursing home in Platteville, WI. On January 18, 2001, Mildred went home to be with her Lord. Le Roy served in the army during World War II. Upon returning from service, while living in Streator, IL, he was ministered to by a faithful pastor and received Christ as his Savior. Le Roy said, "I knew immediately following my conversion that I had to share Christ's love with others." This led him into the pastoral ministry in 1954 with the Primitive Methodist Church. For the next 31 years he served congregations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. His last years of ministry were spent in Wisconsin serving New Diggings, Hazel Green and the Westview/Big Patch churches in Platteville. Le Roy's chief passion was to preach and present the gospel, whether from a pulpit, a Sunday School class or any other opportunity that came to him. Being used to lead someone to Christ and watching that person mature was his greatest joy. He also had a heart fo rmissions, particularly in Guatemala. Le Roy's other life-long interests included hunting, leather crafts, saddle-making and horse shoe pitching before health issues forced him to slow his pace. During his time here, Le Roy forged some very strong friendships that endured to the very end. He looked forward to the times when friends would call or drop by and share time with him. You could be sure that he would have one or more of his many jokes or humorous anecdotes to share with you during the conversation. Rarely would the visit end without the Bible being brought out and a gem of truth shared. Le Roy's survivors include his two children: Diane Pearce of Platteville and Alan Pearce of Anderson, South Carolina; three grandsons: Alan, Tim and Jody; and a brother, Richard(Eleanor) Pearce of Streator, IL. Le Roy's last few months were spent as a resident of Sienna Crest Assisted Living Center in Platteville. Le Roy's earthly remains are buried beside his beloved Mildred in the Shawnee Cemetery, New Diggings, Wisconsin where he will be until the moment of his promised resurrection. Praise the Lord! Martha Dell Jones-1924-2009 Eddie Paulus Southard 6/14/1920-12/11/2009 Paul Southard was the kind of man upon which successful churches are built. He took pastoral training under Rev. Joseph McGuiness and served as a a Local Preacher for 53 years. Over the years he served in the church as a Sunday School teacher, Station Steward, and Young Peoples' Director. He was one of the people that began a Children's Church ministry here. He also served in the Wyoming District at various times as President of both the Sunday School Convention and the Missionary Convention. Maybe the thing Paul is remembered for most however was his commitment to prayer and to the Word. He loved, read and committed to memory the Word of God. He loved listening to preaching from the Word and all knew him for his slow Virginia-drawl "Amen" he would offer up regularly. Also, for many years he was part of a group called The Men's Prayer Band. They met once a week around the altar and prayed with only the light of the cross overhead. To the end of his life he always wanted to make sure that cross was lit. It was always time to pray! He encouraged so many people by letting them know he was not just thinking about them but praying for them. Paul was the only person who ever knocked on my office door prior to a service and said, "Pastor, can I pray for you?" He only did this a few times but he always did it at the leading of the Holy Spirit and he always did it with tears. What a blessing! We praise the Lord for Paul's life and ministry among us and we praise the Lord for the hope we have in Christ. Rev. Gillard I. Evans He also served as President and Vice President of the Primitive Methodist Conference at a time when it was expected of men to take their turn in doing so, according to seniority and blameless reputation. He also served on the School of Theology Board for many years, delighting in the opportunity to influence and mold the lives of young men as future ministers of the gospel among us. His council and guidance in this respect, long after class sessions ended, proved to be a great source of encouragement to those of us that were privileged to sit under his leadership. Gillard was also actively involved and instrumental in the establishment of the Primitive Methodist Investment Foundation and served on its board of directors for many years, which has been and still is a tremendous asset to us. While pastoring at our Tamaqua church, the lives of several young people were greatly influenced by Gillard and his wife Alice, insomuch as they likewise dedicated their lives in full time service to the Lord in Primitive Methodist ministry. His intense interest and support of missions, both National and International, and the work of our Bible Camp in the Pocono Mountains is a matter of record. Although totally dedicated to his called, he still made time to be involved in civic duty in the Fire Companies at Conshohocken, PA and Thornhurst, PA for many years. Gillard and his wife Alice labored together in the Lord's work faithfully and lovingly, sharing in the joys of touching lives for eternity and enduring by God's grace the set-backs and frustrations that are involved in every ministry. Alice preceded him in death, as well as their son William, who was tragically taken from this world in 1965. He is surviced by his daughter, Sandra, and adopted grandsons Gregory and Adam. His wisdom and fine example of what it means to live a Christ-centered life will be missed by all of us who knew him. He chose the closing hymn of his funeral service to be sung at that time, "And Can It Be." The words and melody of that hymn were deeply rooted in Gillard's soul and spirit, and can make anyone likewise ready for the spiritual transition from earth to heaven if embraced by faith. Rev. Harold K. Hatton He served the Primitive Methodist Conference as President. He was chaplain at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton for 25 plus years. He was one of the founders of Pocono Mountain Bible Conference where he also served as treasurer and registrar for many years. He served as Treasurer of the International Mission Board, travelling to Guatemala and Spain many times with Rev. Harold J. Barrett and Rev. William H. Fudge. His love for mission work continued until his death - establishing the Minerva E. and Harold K. Hatton Scholarship Fund in PMIF to help support the children in Guatemala through scholarships. As a family, the Hattons 'vacationed' each August in Ocean Grove, NJ during Camp meeting time with many other faithful Primitive Methodist ministers (Revs. William A. Smith, George Bamford, John Stephens, John Feguson, Andrew Heller, Herbert Hoyes). He loved all Philadelphia sports teams. He loved travelling with family to Disney World each year - enjoying the Christmas music and Christmas story read from the Scriptures during the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT. He marveled at how all things worked. He is survived by one sister, Doris, one brother Paul, three sons, Harold Jr., John and Jim (with whom he resided his last 6 years), 7 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. The funeral service was held on a cold snowy Tuesday, February 13, 2010, at the Green Ridge Primitive Methodist Church - conducted by Rev. Charles K. Beth - assisted by Rev. Harold K. Hatton, Jr. Comments also were made by District Superintendent Rev. Allan Rupert and Conference President, Rev. Kerry R. Ritts. The organ was played by John Hatton. He was laid to rest in the Old Rugged Cross section of Abington Hills Cemetery in Clarks Summit, PA. |
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