American Baptist Churches of Ohio remembrances.
Reverend William Chappell Goes to be with the Lord
Reverend William Chappell Brantingham went to be with his Lord and Savior, whom he greatly loved, May 2, 2018. Bill was born to Cyrus and Abby Brantingham in West Pittston, Pennsylvania March 8, 1927. Bill served as Pastor of: First Baptist Church, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Oakview First Baptist Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba, First Baptist Church, Atwood, Illinois, Grand Prairie Baptist Church, Marion, Ohio, First Baptist Church, Conneaut, Ohio, and as Pastor of Visitation at First Baptist Church in Hamilton, Ohio.
Bill was drafted in to the United States Army Air Force in 1945 where he proudly served his country. His father, who was opposed to war, was very proud when his son showed up at his workplace wearing his dress uniform. Following his honorable discharge, he began working in the insurance industry in the Wrigley Building in Chicago.
This is where Bill met the love of his life, Bertha Mae Jingst in 1948 while both were attending Kostner Avenue Baptist Church. They met on a double date and went bowling each with a different partner. The next date was together and they were married on June 16, 1951. Shortly thereafter Bill and Bert answered the Lord’s calling into full time ministry. As a result, he continued his education where he earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Judson University and a B.A. in Theology from Northern Seminary. He was ordained on March 8, 1957, his 30th birthday.
Following Bill’s ordination, they adopted two sons. Stephen born in Chicago, Illinois; and while they were serving their first pastorate in Cranbrook, British Columbia, they adopted Daniel who was born in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Bill and Bert raised their sons and created a home centered on lives led by example, a deep faith in Jesus Christ and a lifetime of serving and ministering to others until his death. They touched thousands of lives over 55 years of ministry. Following his retirement from in December 2012, Bill continued to faithfully serve the Lord when he was called upon for visitations, weddings and funerals.
He and Bert have resided in Hamilton Ohio since 1990 and moved to Berkley Square Retirement Center for the final eleven years of his life. He and Bert are cherished and they have enjoyed deep and lasting friendships formed over many years with neighbors and current and former church members they have met along the way. Bill never lacking for something to say would stop and take time to visit with anyone willing to listen to his stories.
He is survived by his wife Bertha Mae, children: Stephen Paul (Penni) and Daniel Harlan (Elma); grandchildren: Tiffany Brantingham, Bobbie Jo (Wes) White, Matthew Harlan (Nicole) Brantingham, and Elyse Mae (Brett) Diehl and by six great grandchildren: Stephen Bradley (U.S. Army), Jerry Bradley, Isaac Griffin, Isabelle White, Jackson Harlan Brantingham and Hartmann Brantingham, his brother David Brantingham and numerous nieces and nephews. Please keep the Brantingham family in your prayers.
Former ABC Ohio Representative Sarah Pirtle is with the Angels
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Sarah Leah Pirtle, M.D., 62, passed away on November 12, 2017, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima. Sarah was an ABC USA General Board Representative and an ABC OHIO board member several years ago. Her father is also a retired ABC pastor in Lima. She graduated summa cum laude from Ouachita University in Arkadelphia, AR. She earned a Master's Degree in Organic Chemistry and a Medical Degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1984. She specialized in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine for Lima Memorial Health Systems and St. Rita's Medical Center for over 20 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church and sang in the choir, served on the Daycare Board, and was a member of the Elizabeth Circle of American Baptist Women's Ministries. She served as a member of the Board of International Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA and as a board member of American Baptist Churches of Ohio. She loved her profession, music, traveling, and playing euchre. Her friends were her friends for life. They will remember her joyful spirit, her generosity, and her infectious laugh. Prayers go out to the Pirtle family in their time of grief.
Rev. Fred McKnight Passes
Rev. Frederick "Fred" McKnight formerly of Plain City passed away in his sleep on October 2, 2017. Fred served many ABC-Ohio churches during his ministry and served from 1969 thru 1979 as the resident manager of Camp Kirkwood.
Fred was born June 19, 1922 in Transfer, Pennsylvania, he is a graduate of Westminster College in Pennsylvania and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. He was ordained to ministry at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY in 1954. He served as pastor at Locust Grove Baptist Church, Salem, OH; Big Darby Baptist Church, Plain City, OH; Sugar Creek Baptist Church, Washington CH, OH; Jonah’s Run Baptist Church, Wilmington, OH; Church of the Master, Steuben, OH; and part time at Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Willard, OH.
He also served for ten years as site manager in Camp Kirkwood, Wilmington, OH. He retired in 1997. Our prayers are with his children and family.
Rev. Robert Hughes Passes
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Rev Robert D. Hughes was an amazing man who invested his love, guidance and encouragement in lots of people. He was the first Dean of the Leadership Academy. His wife Kathleen was a former region president. Please pray for Kathleen and the Hughes family as they grieve his passing.
Robert D. Hughes was born in Bucyrus, Ohio to Hugh T. and Reba (Craner) Hughes. He graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1945, Denison University in 1950, and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1954. He preached his first sermon at the age of 14, in his grandfather’s church. After seminary he pastored churches in Marietta, Painesville, Loudonville, Attica, and Cuyahoga Falls.
Former ABC Ohio Staff Member Passes
Former ABC Ohio staff member Martha Sue Buckenberger passed away on March 28, 2017 at the Selma Markowitz Center, Newark, Ohio. Sue retired from ABC Ohio as an office manager.
She attended Grace Pointe Community Church. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed going to Florida and gardening. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, H. Mack Buckenberger; daughter and son-in-law, Missy and Joe Pfister; son and daughter-in-law, Seth and Katy Buckenberger; five grandchildren, Alli, Brock and Jarrett Pfister, A.J. and Ian Buckenberger; brother and sister-in-law, James and Patty Stephens; sisters, Norma Jean Cline and Lillie Keylor; and many nieces and nephews.
Our love and prayers go out to her family.