Memorials for the 2003 Yearbook of the Primitive Methodist Church

MEMORIALS - 2003 YEARBOOK
*Index to This Page* Click on any of the following names to go directly to that location on this page.
*Or, click here to return to the index for the 2003 Yearbook.*
Rev. William Esser Charlotte Roberts Anderson	Eileen Mains Dorothy Metzger	Mrs. Alice Sparks
In Memory of Rev. William Esser The Rev. William R. Esser, 94, of Lena, Illinois, 40 year minister of the Gospel in the Primitive Methodist Conference, went home to be with the Lord on June 5, 2002. He had been residing at the Morgan Memorial Nursing Home in Stockton, Illinois. He was born on May 19, 1908, in Wilkes-Barre, PA. On April 4, 1928 he was united in marriage with Elsie May Hillard. She passed away on May 29, 1973 in Pittsburgh, PA. On July 2, 1975, he and Mary Ferguson were married in Pennsylvania. In 1990, Rev. Esser moved to Lena, Illinois to live with his son, William and his wife Opal. He resided in the nursing home since December, 2000. He is survived by two sons, William A. (Opal) and Albert (Carole) of Lena; one daughter, Rachel (Wendell) Boertje of Knoxville, Tennessee; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren, and one step-great-great grandchild. The memorial service was held at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren, Illinois with the Rev. Don Jamerson of Freeport Free Methodist Church and lay pastor Robert Bennett of Platteville, WI, officiating. Rev. Esser was buried in the Primitive Methodist Cemetery in Benton, WI. At the graveside service, Rev. Russell Masartis, District Superintendent of the Western District, presented the Christian Flag that had draped Rev. Esser’s casket to daughter, Rachel. We rejoice to know that this faithful and dedicated servant of God is now in the presence of the Lord he loved so much. Robert Bennett, Lay Pastor In Memory of Charlotte Roberts Anderson 1916 - 2003 Charlotte Roberts Anderson was born January 12, 1916 in Youngstown, Ohio, one of eight children. She was saved as a teen-ager in the Primitive Methodist Church. She was very active in her faith, going with a group to services in the jail and to Eastside Mission. She met Gerald Anderson at the church, and they were married there on March 22, 1941. Early in their marriage, Gerald was challenged by a visiting missionary. This resulted in their going to Columbia with their two small children. Gerald used his skill as a carpenter to help in the building program. Because of health problems, Charlotte and the children had to come home, but Gerald stayed and finished the job he was working on. Feeling a call to the ministry they went to Cleveland Bible College (now Malone College). It wasn’t easy for Gerald to work his way thro0ugh college, while supporting his family, but Charlotte was a faithful wife, always standing by him. Merle and Betty Wilson, good friends from their home church, also were in Cleveland preparing for the ministry. She was “given to hospitality.” Gerald transferred to Huntington College where he received his degree. They began their ministry in the Primitive Methodist denomination in 1951. Charlotte was a gracious and kind pastor’s wife, serving with her husband in Boone, IA; Platteville, WI; New Bedford and Lowell, MA; Cleveland and Strongsville, OH; and Beaver Falls, PA. Her last years were plagued with illness, so they retired in 1988 and moved back to Youngstown where they attended the Glenwood Church. Gerald died in 1995, and shortly after, Charlotte went to a nursing home near her children in Fort Wayne, IN. In spite of sickness, she always had a smile and words of praise to her Lord. Her funeral was held in Youngstown, where she was buried alongside of her husband. Her son-in-law, Gerald Guth, sang two of her favorite songs: “The Holy City”, and “Jesus is All I Need.” Long time friend, Rev. Russell Libb, gave the funeral message. She is survived by a son, Gerald, of Roanoke, IN, and daughter, Mrs. Carol Guth or Fort Wayne, IN. Two sisters, Mrs. Gwenyth Halberg, and Mrs. Mona Walker, a brother, Edward Roberts, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Dorothy Thomas Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning, When with our Savior, Heaven’s begun Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning, Beyond the Sunset, when day is done. Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion, With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before; In that fair homeland, we’ll know no parting, Beyond the sunset, forevermore. In Loving Memory Eileen Mains Eileen May Mains died October 6, 2002. She was born in Irwin, PA on January 28, 1924. She moved to Lakeland, FL from Beaver Falls, PA forty years ago. She was a schoolteacher. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.S. degree and from Rollins College in Orlando with a Masters. Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Clifton E. Mains, Sr. She is survived by her son Clifton E. Mains, Jr. of Jackson, Miss., Jim Mains, Bombay, India, three sisters, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Eileen’s life was characterized by hospitality and generosity. Her home was an open door to guests and visitors. She was faithful to serve the Lord alongside her husband. Whether living in a two-room shack in Beaver Falls, PA or a spacious home in a Country Club setting in Lakeland, FL, they never forgot their commitment to Christ and the ministry. Eileen and Cliff’s lives parallel the characteristics of Priscilla and Aquilla of the Bible. Together they were tentmakers, working at their professions and taking no remuneration for their ministry in several churches. Eileen was a teacher in Florida public schools for 19 years. She and Cliff also taught students for the ministry in their home. They were my helpers in Christ Jesus. For a year they traveled 200 miles from Daytona Beach to be supportive and participate in the ministry of Lakeland Church. Like Priscilla, Eileen stood with her husband as their home became a birthplace for a church. Her last words, knowing that Cliff was in Heaven, were said with confident expectation, “I want to go and be with Cliff.” Rev. Wesley Frey In Memory of Dorothy Metzger Dot as she was known to everyone, loved her Lord, her church, and the Primitive Methodist Conference. She attended Conference since 1953 as either delegate or alternate delegate, giving the position of delegate to younger members so they could experience Conference. Dot loved the challenges of the Stationing Committee, and the young pastors that were sent out into the ministry, serving on it the last year of her life. She loved the history of Bible times and of the Primitive Methodist Church. One of the high points of her life was her trip to England to see the birth place of the Primitive Methodist Church. The mission field and the missionaries were another of her passions, always signing up for Precious Moments. She served on the National Mission Board of Conference and was president of the Missionary Society at Trinity Church. She talked about her trip to Guatemala, and had a real love for the people and the missionaries of that country, and talked of returning many times. In her home church, Trinity, she served in so many positions that no one could keep track. If the pastor needed to know anything all he had to do was ask Dot. She started attending Trinity when it was still meeting in the parsonage, before the church was built. She taught the Women’s Sunday School class for so many years, we can’t find any record of when she started. She held every job in the Sunday School, and never missed a Sunday. If she was away she would bring the bulletin from the church she attended. Dot was known as a FRIEND to all the pastors. If the lights were on and there was a service Dot was there, Prayer Meeting being one of her favorites. She knew the power of the church was in prayer. Next to prayer time was fellowship times in the church. She always made new people feel welcome and at home. She would always sit with the visitors. Dot will be sadly missed here at Trinity, but she is at home now with her Lord. As a person, she not only talked the Christian talk, but walked the walk. You could not know Dot long without hearing about her Lord and seeing her Christian witness. Although she had no children, she made many feel that they were her child, and that she loved them as her own. She was always taking care of someone, without any complaints. She will be missed. Rev. Frank Hrabak In Loving Memory Mrs. Alice Sparks October 10, 1931 – March 18, 2003 Alice Sparks, wife of The Reverend Ronald Sparks was not known to us, it was not our privilege to know her. To her husband, Ron, she was the perfect minister’s wife, a friend, companion, support and soul mate. Born Alice Marie Sheldrake in Lake Placid, New York, she grew up with a love for outdoor sports, getting to know Olympic Champion skaters like Dick Butler, she loved to skate herself. She became a state champion in archery. Her talents also included acting where she was involved in Little Theater, she enjoyed playing in musicals, once she portrayed Emily Dickinson in “The Belle of Amherst”. She loved to put on mystery theater and act in them. She was a graduate of Eastman College of Dental Hygiene and became very skilled in the profession of dental hygiene. In recent years she had to leave her career when she lost her eyesight. She was a constant encouragement to her husband, never allowing Ron to fall into discouragement for long. Even now, Ron knows that Alice would be cheering him on in his ministry, despite the pain he feels at her loss. Alice was unselfish in her service to humanity. In California City, she ran a food pantry which served to feed 11% of that city’s population. It was only the loss of eyesight that would eventually hinder her service. Recently, Alice’s health took a sudden and unexpected turn for the worse, and then, God called her home. In the midst of sorrow and pain we find comfort and peace in the knowledge that Alice has received the reward of her labors from our Saviour. Besides her husband Ron, Alice leaves behind a son, Jonathan, in Carthage, NY, and a daughter, Tory, in Minoa, NY, and 2 grandchildren, Jonathan David and Casey. Her final resting place in North Elba Cemetery, Lake Placid, New York. “Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:31
Return to Index at the Top of This Page





Back to the Top

[ Home ] [ History ] [ Ministry ] [ Bible Readings ] [ Calendar of Meetings ] [ Organization ] [ Creed ] [ Insignia ] [ Discipline ] [ Notes and News ] [ Yearbook ] [ Links to Primitive Methodism ]
[ MISSIONS ] :: [ International Mission Board ] [ National Mission Board ] [ The Gleanings ] [ La Gleanings en Español ]
[ DIRECTORY ] :: [ Eastern District ] [ Pittsburgh District ] [ Schuylkill District ] [ Southern District ] [ Western District ] [ Wyoming District ] [ Hispanic Ministries ] [ Chaplains ] [ Special Ministries ] [ Youth Ministries ] [ Retired Ministers ] [ Ministerial Widows ]
[ CAMP ] :: [ Camp Facilities ] [ Camp Program ] [ Camp Retreats ] [ Camp Directions ] [ Camp Schedules ]
[ School of Theology ] [ Board of Christian Ministries ] [ Special Events ] [ General Information ] [ Contact Us ]