ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Births
• Engagements
• Weddings
• Anniversaries
• Obituaries

Births

Robert and Amber Teitgen of the Worcester, Massachusetts, congregation are extremely overjoyed to announce the birth of their first child James David. He was born on his Uncle David's birthday, Aug. 24, 2007, weighed exactly 9 pounds and measured exactly 21 inches long.

He is the third grandchild of his grampa, Herb Teitgen (arriving only 12 days after his cousin Joy Erickson), and the sixth grandchild of his nana, Elaine Tucker. He has three great-grandparents—Ivan and Edna Robinson and Harry Thompson—and many aunts and uncles and great-aunts and uncles. His love for life is already evident through his beaming smiles and sparkling eyes, which bring even more happiness to his mommy and daddy every day!

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Tom and Carla (Teitgen) Erickson of the Fargo, North Dakota, congregation are happy to announce the birth of their second child, Joy Anne Erickson. She was born on Aug. 12, 2007, and weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces and was 18½ inches long.

Big brother Eric (4) enjoys playing with his new sister. Proud grandfather Herb Teitgen is the pastor of the Fargo congregation.

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Joel and Kristin Brunick of the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, congregation would like to announce the birth of their son, Josiah James, who was born on Dec. 30, 2007.

Josiah joined two sisters, Jaden (7) and Kaylee (5), and one brother, Kade (2), who have enjoyed him from the start. Proud grandparents are (the late Edward Brunick and) Claudia Brunick of the Watertown, South Dakota, congregation and Robert and Alane Arneson of Hayti, South Dakota.

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Eric and Tara Tissue of the Kalamazoo, Michigan, congregation would like to introduce you to their second child, a boy, Bo Grant. Bo was born one month early on Feb. 6, 2008, weighing 6 pounds 7 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. He's doing great and his big sister, Hollyanne, is thrilled with him.

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Excited big sisters Lily and Lauren want to announce the birth of their brother Lance Dakota Francis Sheets. He was born April 25, 2007, weighing 7 pounds 8 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. Proud parents Joan (Hoffahrt) and Dennis Sheets are thrilled to have girls and now a boy. The family attends the Beloit, Wisconsin, congregation with Grandma Irene Hoffahrt. Grandparents Kurt and Fran Schuster attend the Wisconsin Dells congregation. Lance was their 13th grandchild.

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Joe and Kelly (Good) Diamond of the Roanoke, Virginia, congregation are excited to announce the birth of their second child, Logan Blake. He was born on Feb. 5, 2008, weighing 7 pounds and measuring 20 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are Dan and Peggy Good of the Greensboro, North Carolina, congregation. Paternal grandparents are Edith Diamond of the Roanoke, Virginia, congregation and the late Bert Diamond. Big brother Ethan is so excited to have a little brother!

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Engagements

Harold and Louise Pennington of Marysville, Ohio, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Lillian Pennington, to Micah Donovan Disman, son of Ron and Grace Disman of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Randall Stiver, pastor of the Columbus, Ohio, congregation, will be performing the ceremony. An Aug. 3 wedding is planned.

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Weddings

Nick and Sylvia Bratnick of the Charlotte, North Carolina, congregation along with Frank and Lynn Tino are happy to announce the marriage of their children, Jessica Bratnick and Ryan Tino. They were married on Oct. 28, 2007, at Lake Point Hall in Charlotte. Jessica's sister, April Bratnick, served as maid of honor. Ryan Mayo, longtime friend of the groom, served as best man. The wedding was performed outside in a beautiful lakefront setting by David Mills, pastor of the Charlotte congregation. Jessica and Ryan attend the Charlotte congregation.

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Shannon Guy and Eddie Foster exchanged their marriage vows at the Holiday Inn Metroplex in Girard, Ohio, on July 15, 2007. Shannon is the daughter of James and Carla Guy, members of the Youngstown, Ohio, congregation, and Eddie's parents are John and Susan Foster, who pastor the congregations in Princeton and Charlestown, West Virginia, and Roanoke, Virginia. The groom's father performed the wedding.

Jennifer Foster served as matron of honor and the bridesmaids were Kamie Stoner, Lily Guy, Jennifer Heesch, Sarah Dean, Jamie Franks, Tracy Nance, Lena Van Ausdle and Amy Foster.

The groom's brother, Tim Foster, served as best man, and the groomsmen were Matt Earles, Nick Bizic, Kevin Troyer, Andrew Tranquada, Jonathan Stoner and Jimmy Guy.

Ring bearers Alec Nance and James Guy III came down the aisle with Alec pulling James and flower girl Reagan Hall in a beautifully decorated wagon. Autumn Nance also served as a flower girl.

The couple is now living in Middletown, Ohio, and attends the Dayton, Ohio, congregation.

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Anniversaries

John and Jackie Ward of the Paddock Wood ( Tonbridge, Kent, United Kingdom) congregation celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 15, 2008. John and Jackie live in Hailsham, East Sussex. They have three children and 12 grandchildren. They celebrated their big day with a family gathering.

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On Jan. 5, 2008, Dale and Donna Black were honored with a tea given by their Church family and their son and his family in recognition of their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Jan. 3, 1958.

During their 41 years as members of God's Church, they have attended congregations in Belleville, Mt. Vernon and Rockford, Illinois. Residing near Rockford for the past 20 years, they presently serve in the Beloit, Wisconsin, UCG. Dale was ordained a deacon in 1976. They kept their first Feast in Big Sandy, Texas, in 1967.

They are the parents of two sons, Bruce Dale (deceased) and Brian David (and wife Charisse). They have two granddaughters, Kurstin and Courtney, and one great-grandson, Corbin.

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Obituaries

Jeanette Giroux, 73, of Independence, Oregon, died Nov.16, 2007, following a battle with cancer. She was a longtime member of the congregation in Salem, Oregon. Baptized nearly 50 years ago, in August of 1958, she served as a faithful member of the Church for many years.

Jeanette was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Dec. 1, 1933. She was fifth in birth order in a family of 10 children. The family relocated a number of times while she was growing up, moving from Texas to Arizona and then to California before finally settling in Oregon.

Jeanette married following graduation from high school. She and her husband of 55 years, Elmer Giroux, never had any children. However, Jeanette had a special love for children, so she assisted as a teacher's aide for a number of years. Cooking, quilting and painting were some of her other interests. She sold over 200 works of art, and her paintings were often included in art shows.

Jeanette Giroux is survived by her husband and by two brothers and two sisters. A memorial service was conducted by pastor John Cafourek after services in Salem on Dec. 1.

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Gladys Ann Stiglich, 66, of Waynesville, North Carolina, died at Haywood Regional Medical Center on Feb. 23, 2008, following a brief illness.

She was born on Dec. 13, 1941, to the late Fred Inman and Dovie Massie Inman in Haywood County. She worked faithfully for many years as a geriatric nurse caring for many sick people. She loved her family and especially her grandbaby Chad Logan Millican.

She is survived by her son, Charles Millican III of Georgia; two sisters, Effie Moore and Virginia Roper, both of Waynesville; and her grandchild, Chad Logan Millican.

She had been married for one year to Leon Stiglich who preceded her in death last year. She was unable to attend local services but received sermon CDs.

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Pearl Alma Gaumer, age 88, of Canton, Ohio, died Feb. 15, 2008, in her home from natural causes. Mrs. Gaumer was still enjoying her independent apartment living, driving her car to services each week, and she hadn't been to a doctor in the last six years of her life.

She was a homemaker and a loving mother, and was an active member of the Church of God for over 47 years. A true servant of God during all her years in the Church, she devoted loving attention to making sure the church hall was ready for services, attending to flowers, cleaning, painting and decorating, and never seeking credit for herself. She was one of the pioneer members of the newly formed Akron, Ohio, congregation back in 1959, and was baptized in 1960. She will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Gaumer was born June 30, 1919, in Portage County, Ohio, in the town of Suffield, the fifth of eight children. She is survived by one brother, two sisters and one son—Roger Gaumer, of the UCG East Texas congregation.

A memorial service was held Feb. 21.

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A mother laughs our laughs, sheds our tears, returns our love, fears our fears. She lives our joys, cares our cares and all our hopes and dreams she shares. Our mother, Monteen Gilder Poirier, 86, of Daytona Beach, Florida, died Feb. 9, 2008.

She is survived and missed by Robert Poirier, Dianne Seab, Betty Rockwell and Tammy Johnson; her grandchildren Robert George Poirier IV, Michelle Poirier, Kelly Tetrick, Kerry Seab, Cherie Elebash, Jon Turner, David Johnson, Melissa Johnson and Lisa Johnson; her sons-in-law Bob Rockwell and John Johnson; her sister, Frances Harrellson; and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Robert George Poirier III. She was the daughter of the late Harvey and Florence Gilder.

She was a member of the United Church of God in Orlando, Florida. She loved her family and the brethren. She lived a long and wonderful life and had many friends.

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Janis Darlene Usselman, a member of the Redlands, California, congregation, died Jan. 28, 2008, at the age of 57. She had been suffering for years from various illnesses, but her death was due to complications from cancer.

Janis was baptized on Oct. 2, 2006, and was the beloved wife to her husband Darvin Usselman. They have no children.

She was buried in the Riverside National Cemetery with services conducted by her pastor Robin Webber. Her headstone reads, "She walked with God."

Janis was a loving person who loved the Sabbath and fellowshipping with the brethren. She eagerly looked forward to keeping the Holy Days and the Feast of Tabernacles. She will be greatly missed by her husband and family. Mr. Usselman awaits that joyous reunion at the time of resurrection.

Mr. Usselman appreciates all of the prayers and cards for Janis and himself during this very trying time and the comfort from God that will always be treasured. If anyone would like to write to Mr. Usselman, his address is 9426 Tamarisk, Space #62, Hesperia, CA 92345.

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Virgie Maye Johnson was born May 10, 1924, in Cassville, Missouri, and died Feb. 10, 2008, in Loveland, Ohio, at the age of 83.

She was the youngest daughter of Thomas E. Welborn and Elsie P. Welborn. Though the family lived in a number of locations across the United States, they always considered Poplar Bluff, Missouri as their home. Virgie attended high school in Poplar Bluff and had many friends who still live in the area. On Sept. 3, 1949, she married Carl William Johnson, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and they remained inseparable until his death on Aug. 9, 2000, shortly before their 51st anniversary.

She and her husband were baptized in St. Louis in April of 1965, and she was a faithful member of the United Church of God since its inception. She and her husband served in the local congregations as deacon and deaconess. Because of failing health, she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2006 to be near her son and his wife, but her heart remained in Poplar Bluff, and she tried to maintain a close contact with her many friends in that area. Her bright sense of humor and friendliness will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, a half-brother Thomas Welborn Jr. and three sisters—Golda Overfield of Grand Junction, Colorado; Thelma Derryberry of Summersville, Missouri; and Pauline Johnson of St. Charles, Missouri.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, David and Becky Johnson of Batavia, Ohio, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. David works at the home office and is an instructor at Ambassador Bible Center.

The funeral service was conducted on Feb. 15 in Poplar Bluff by local pastor Rick Beam, and she was buried beside her husband and parents at Walton Chapel cemetery, just west of town.

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Erling Madsen, age 93, died March 2, 2008, at his home in Enterprise, Alabama, surrounded by his loved ones. Mr. Madsen was a member of the Church of God since 1989 and attended services in Geneva, Alabama. He was born Feb. 14, 1915, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Hans and Catherine Madsen, immigrants from Denmark. He spent his childhood in Duluth and later settled in San Antonio, Texas, before joining the U.S. Army.

Mr. Madsen's career spanned 54 years, during which he served in the Army, the Marines and the U.S. Defense Mapping Agency. He fought in World War II and traveled around the world. He worked for several years surveying and mapping the terrain of the Middle East. He retired from the Defense Mapping Agency in 1974 and spent over 20 years living in Laurel Hill, Florida. There, he and his wife, Vara Lee, were the owners of Madsen Crafters, a ceramics shop.

Mr. Madsen's hobbies included gardening, beekeeping, winemaking, carpentry, sculpting and woodcarving. He also had a deep affection for animals, especially dogs and horses, and a love of music. Mr. Madsen set us all a sterling example of how one should care for his spouse, especially during her final years.

Mr. Madsen was married for 49 years to Vara Lee McClure who died in November of 2003, also a member in Geneva. He is survived by his sons, Richard and Owen, and his daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Bill Tyner. He is the grandfather of Melanie Szucs, Ashley Tyner and Katy Holmes. He has three great-granddaughters, Lauren, Emily and Maren Szucs; and two grandsons-in-law, Jeff and Steven Holmes.

A memorial service took place March 5, 2008.

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Louise Jacobs Wheeler, age 89, of the Yuma, Arizona, congregation, died Feb. 22, 2008, of congestive heart failure. She was a member of God's Church since 1960. She and her first husband, James Jacobs, lived in Shelbina, Missouri, until his death 1986. In 1991 she married Everett Wheeler and they moved to Yuma where they have lived in retirement.

The congregation has loved and appreciated the Wheelers, and we now miss Louise. A memorial service was held Feb. 24 with elder Randy Love officiating.

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Marie M. Wann, 88, of Fanshawe, Oklahoma, died March 15, 2008, in Poteau, Oklahoma. She was born near Fanshawe in 1919. Marie married Harold Wann in 1938. They were married 61 years before Harold preceded her in death in 1999.

Marie loved her family with a great love, but her greatest love in life was for God and His Church. She heard Herbert Armstrong in 1945. She began an intensive study of the Bible to confirm what she was hearing. There were no churches near enough to attend in those early years and finances did not allow her to travel to Big Sandy, Texas. Each year in spring and fall, she would get out the map and trace the road to Big Sandy with a great longing to be there.

Each Sabbath, during those years, she and her two sisters would spend the Sabbath together on her farm with their children. They would study the Bible together and would instruct their children regarding what they were learning.

Marie was baptized in late winter of 1962. She traveled to Chandler, Oklahoma, four hours away, to keep the Passover that first year. After this, she finally was able to travel to Big Sandy, Texas, six hours away, for the spring and fall Holy Days until 1966 when a local church was established in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Marie drove for one hour each way in order to attend church. She greatly rejoiced over her ability to attend on a regular basis. For the next 42+ years she rarely ever missed church or Bible study. She loved to get to church early and stay late, if possible. She loved to greet and hug the brethren—all were very precious to her.

In 1995, she made the move to the United Church of God in order to continue to hear and practice the things she had proven from the Bible those many years ago. This precious truth of God truly was a "pearl of great price" to her.

Marie was always curious to see if she could do the things she saw being done. As a result, she plumbed a bathroom; built rooms onto her home; upholstered furniture; made clothing for herself and her family; crocheted; made multiple quilts; made large gardens and preserved the produce; became a child-care provider for many children in the community, worked for In-Home Health and so many other things too numerous to mention.

Marie is survived by two daughters and sons-in-laws, Andrea and Roger West of Fort Smith and Sandra and Charleston Williams of Smyrna, Tennessee; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Jim and Nancy Wann of Monroe, Oklahoma, Bob Wann of Big Sandy, Texas, and Jeff and Pattie Wann of Mounds, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by one grandchild and is survived by 15 grandchildren. She is also survived by 26 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted March 18 by Roger West. She awaits the resurrection in the family cemetery in Summerfield, Oklahoma.

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Bessie Miller, 91, of West Salem, Illinois, died Jan. 12, 2008. She was a longtime member of the Church, having attended in Evansville, Indiana; Mt. Vernon and Salem, Illinois; and Henderson, Kentucky.

Survivors include three sons, Ed (Joyce) Miller of West Salem, Tom (Nancy) Miller of Evansville and Don (Karen) Miller of Browns, Illinois; two daughters, Judy (Chuck) Baker of West Salem and Karla Miller of Bells, Tennessee; three brothers, Bob (Mae) Lomas of Olney, Illinois, Bill (Diane) Lomas of West Salem and Bernie (Joan) Lomas of Olney; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred. Funeral services were held Jan. 15.

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Announcements: Members are welcome to submit announcements of the births, engagements, weddings, significant anniversaries (25, 40, 50, 60, etc.) and obituaries in their families. Please include a self-addressed envelope if you would like photos returned. Most items are 50 to 100 words and should not exceed 250 words. Please e-mail (preferred) or give them to your local pastor to forward to United News.