LORREL S. EIKENBERRY

Lorrel Eikenberry

Lorrel S. Eikenberry, 89, of Sun City, Ariz., formerly of Astoria, died at 5:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31, 2005, at his daughter's home in Mentor, Ohio.

He was born Aug. 27, 1915, in Darke County, Ohio, a son of T.S. and Beulah Minnich Eikenberry. He married Nelda Maxine Rhoades on June 8, 1941, in Astoria. She died Nov. 7, 2000.

He also was preceded in death by two brothers, Ivan and Melvin.

Surviving are one son, James (and Susan) of Stockton, Calif.; one daughter, Paula (and Kenneth) Langdon of Mentor, Ohio; four grandsons; and two great-granddaughters.

He graduated from Fairview High School in Dayton, Ohio, in 1933, Manchester College in 1939 and Bethany Theological Seminary in 1949. He received a master of education in counseling from Northern Illinois University in 1960.

In 1946, he was ordained to the ministry in the Church of the Brethren. He was pastor at Brethren congregations in Peoria, Oakley, Lanark, Lena, Freeport and Westernport, Md.; United Church of Christ in Seward; and Northminster Presbyterian Church in Loves Park. He taught school in Loves Park and Rockford and worked as a high school guidance counselor at West High School in Rockford.

He also worked in business and advertising for the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors and served as a test subject for Dr. Jonas Salk. He delivered relief supplies to Europe for the United Nations after World War II, assisted migrant farm laborers, directed church camping programs and led children's activities for the Rockford Park District.

He was a member of Astoria Christian Church in Astoria and the Circle of Peace Church of the Brethren in Glendale, Ariz.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Astoria Christian Church with Gary Sheets officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria and Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Astoria Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Astoria Christian Church or Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind.

 

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 2/2/2005

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