May 23, 2014
Marriages
Parker – Young. Jack Parker and Linda Young were united in marriage on February 15, 2014 at the White Cloud (MI) Seventh Day Baptist Church.
Monroe – Spears. Caleb Monroe and Nikki Spears were united in marriage on March 15, 2014 at Remount Baptist Church in North Little Rock, AR. Pastor Jeffrey Monroe, father of the groom, officiated.
Spearl – Mirabel. Pastor Michael Spearl and Laura Mirabal were united in marriage on March 29, 2014, at the Bradenton Seventh Day Baptist Church in Bradenton, Florida.
Births
Hipskind.—A daughter, Emma Joy, was born to Greg and Jennifer (Butler) Hipskind of Rock Island, IL on May 16, 2014.
Obituaries
Epp.—Eugene Epp, 90, of Angwin, Calif., died on February 21, 2014. He was born on May 28, 1923 in Shafter, Calif., at the home of his parents John and Kathrine Epp. Gene grew up helping on the family farm in the central valley.
During World War II, Gene served in a Conscientious Objector’s camp in Oregon. He felt he could not morally bear arms, and in lieu of combat duty was assigned to fight huge forest fires and to help construct the Wikiup Dam, which is still in service near Bend, Ore.
He married Blanch Gearing on August 25, 1946. After settling in Hollister, Calif., Gene started his own business called “Gene’s Repair Shop,” repairing small engines. During Gene’s retirement years, he and Blanch moved from Hollister to Angwin, Calif., to be near their family. Blanch died on February 2, 1999 after 52 years of marriage.
He was a charter member of the Bay Area Seventh Day Baptist Church, often traveling almost 100 miles to the church’s meeting place. In the days of Bay Area joint meetings with the Monterey fellowship, he and Blanch would arrange for meeting places. Gene’s favorite Scripture was what he called “The 1-2-3 of the Sabbath”: 1st book, 2nd chapter, 3rd verse.
Gene is survived by his daughter Barbara Hassard, granddaughter Amy Lee, and two great-granddaughters; a sister, Anna Griffith, a brother, David Epp, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held March 16, 2014, in Angwin, led by Gene’s daughter Barbara and family. In attendance were Anita Carter, Oscar Burdick, and Pastor Steve Crouch of the Bay Area SDB Church.
Ellis.—Frances W. Ellis, 104, died on February 23, 2014 at Wedgewood of Winter Haven, an assisted living home in Winter Haven, Fla.
She was born February 17, 1910, the daughter of Dr. Frank S. and Anna (Wooden) Wells. She grew up attending the Plainfield (N.J.) SDB Church.
Frances graduated from Alfred (N.Y.) University with a BA degree and was employed as a social worker until her marriage. She married Delmar B. Ellis October 12, 1935 and moved to Stephentown, N.Y., which was their home for 60 years. She was a loyal member of the Berlin (N.Y.) SDB Church, where she served as teacher, clerk, and deaconess.
Survivors include her loving children, Ruth Hazen, Tracys Landing, Md.; Robert Ellis, Milford, N.Y.; Howard Ellis, Winter Haven, Fla.; and Sandra Clare, Bridgewater, N.J. Other survivors include eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at the Berlin SDB Church on May 24, 2014 with Pastor Matthew Olson officiating.