Pastor James W. Allison Passes

Pastor James W. Allison, 89, of New Lexington, Ohio died on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at Genesis Hospital, Zanesville, Ohio. Born June 13, 1931 in Somerset, Kentucky to the late Clyde Lee and Iva Anderson Allison. He graduated from St. Mary's High School; Rio Grande College; and Northern Baptist Seminary. He served as Pastor of Baptist Churches for 50 years; enjoyed carpentry, repairing broken things and yard sales. 

Pastor Allison is survived by his wife of 67 years, Wilda M. Dicke Allison; daughter, Patricia (Dean) Barnes, sons, Bruce (Kathy) Allison and Neal (Karen) Allison; grandchildren, Beth (Troy) Pingle, Tyrus Barnes, Kyle (Sarah) Barnes, Vanessa Allison, Joshua Allison and Anna Allison; great grandchildren, Evan, Trey, Avery and Audrey; brothers, John Allison and Richard Allison. In addition to his parents, preceded in death by brothers, Robert, Donald, Harold and Edward; sister, Darlene; granddaughter, Laura Maye Allison. Please keep the Allison family in your prayers.

Sophia Stephenson Joins the Angels

The American Baptist Churches of Ohio extends Christian Sympathy to the family of Sophia Stephenson, who passed away on July 24, and to the First Baptist Church of Delaware.  Mrs. Stephenson was the wife of the late Dr. James “Steve” Stephenson, who served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Delaware from 1947 to 1987.  A memorial service is planned for a later date, and an obituary is not yet available, but the family would like to share this sad news with the ABC Ohio community.  Please join in prayers for the Stephenson family.

Rev. Edward G. Brutto Has Passed into Heaven's Arms

Rev. Edward G. Brutto, age 77, of Sebring passed away Sunday July 12 at Crandall Medical Center in Sebring. Rev. Brutto pastored for ten years at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Bloomingdale.

He was born September 28, 1942 in Canton, to Elmer and Ardena (Heinbauch) Brutto. A 1960 graduate of Sebring High School he went on to attend Kent State University. Edward was a veteran of the US Army Reserves who went to compete on the first Army Pistol Team in which they placed 8th in the world. He worked in telecommunications, working for several companies across Ohio such as Ohio Bell Ameritech, SBC, and AT&T before his retirement. Edward was a 52 year member of Alliance First Baptist Church.

He was involved in many organizations including American Baptist Churches of Ohio, President of Telephone Pioneers of America of Youngstown, as well as being a lifetime member of the NRA. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, as well as being a chef who enjoyed delighting others with his talent for cooking and catering. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Danielle (Ray Dyer) Brutto; son Timothy E. (Deana) Brutto; granddaughters, Rachel and Monica Brutto.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Linda K. Brutto whom he married September 3, 1966 and who passed away June 12, 2010

Memorial contributions can be made in Edward’s name to Alliance First Baptist Church 1659 W. State St Alliance, Ohio 44601 or Heart Reach Ministries of Youngstown 211 Redondo Rd, Youngstown, OH 44504.

Please keep the Brutto family in your prayers.

Rev. Philip Lee Kachersky Joins the Heavenly Angels

Philip Lee Kachersky, a Minister with an open heart and an open mind, spent his life in exploration of what makes us all human. He passed away on April 22, 2020 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, due to complications from COVID-19. He was 62.  
 
Philip spent his life in ministry both inside and outside of his churches. He was born July 30, 1957 in Ashtabula, Ohio the son of Charles and Carole Kachersky. He was ordained as an American Baptist Minister on July 16, 1989 after receiving his degree from Eastern Baptist Theological School in Philadelphia (now Palmer Theological Seminary). He was Pastor at First Baptist Church in Girard, and later at First Baptist Church in Jefferson, Ohio. He had a Funeral Director’s license and was able to comfort so many going through the loss of a loved one. And he was a friend, confidant and sounding board to so many. 
 
He adored his wife, Erin. After marrying on February 13, 1993, they were inseparable. They traveled, watched movies, and learned to cook so many different cuisines in so many different methods, always inviting friends to share in the experience. They even took up embroidery. Together, they taught us learning is a life-long process.  
 
Philip was an intellectual living in the real world - always open to new ideas – even if those ideas were challenging to beliefs he had held throughout his life. He was always interested, always inquisitive, and he loved to debate with his friends. His interests were fabulously varied. He loved gadgets and computers and cars and all forms of expression. He was a big man who loved to talk about religion, and technology and its impact on humanity, all while carefully rolling homemade sushi with his friends. He loved to cook and swap recipes, both as a challenge to his abilities, and as an expression of gratitude for community and friendship. He was a minister in every sense of the word, constantly working to make our community better.
 
Philip is survived by his wife, Erin (née McClurkin), his mother and father of Niles, his brothers, Patrick (of Golden, Colorado) and Paul (of Hubbard, Ohio), and his nieces and nephews, Jerimiah, Natasha, Naomi, and Zackery, Michael, Christina and Charles. 
 
Philip was loved and he will be greatly missed. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers during this time as they are unable to schedule a celebration of life at this time due to the current COVID-19 crisis. They hope to have a memorial in the coming months when friends and family are again allowed to gather.