Golden Wedding Anniversary, Gold Medal in Archery, Music in Tucson, Obituary

In this update: Cleophus and Catharine Studivant, Leila Nelson, Ross Jutsum, Roy Dozier

50th wedding anniversary

Cleophus and Catharine Studivant of Kalamazoo, MI, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 18 and 19. The children diverted their attention to the open house on the 19th, while they planned a surprise gala affair at a dinner dance on the 18th. God blessed each event. They were married on June 19, 1960. They have four children, Linda of Michigan, Brian of California, Daryl from Minnesota, and Vicki (Leonard) from Tennessee. They have nine grandchildren and 10 great-granchildren.  There were many attendees from various parts of the country, Canada and Germany.

The Sturdivants have traveled internationally for many years and have made many friends over the years with socials and festivals. They are presently involved with building a school in Ghana and usually travel there to deliver funds collected from a fund-raising effort over the year. They have a computer prayer and encouragement ministry that reaches many countries. They have served as deacon and deaconess for many years in the Kalamazoo area.

Member wins national archery contest

Lelia Nelson, a long-time member of Grace Christian Fellowship (Kenilworth, NJ); won a gold medal in women’s archery at the U.S. Senior Games Competition held at the Reliant Arena, Houston, TX, June 17-18. A state champion for the past three years, this was her first try at national competition.

Olga Jendrik

Concert of praise

Dr. Ross Jutsum of State of the Heart Ministries, was the guest speaker/worship leader on July 10, at Grace of God Fellowship in Tucson, AZ. Ross preached a sermon around seven songs that he led, and the audience participated in most of the songs. Music can be used as a sermon. The words needed to be heard, understood, and felt deeply as God intended, for we are praising God when we sing these songs, whether they are praise songs or hymns—they honor God and it makes us one with one another and one with God himself. 

Ross has been gifted by God with many talents, and he used them all to share God’s love with all of as we sang praises to to God from the heart. We learned new music and listened to stories that touched our hearts. We were connected

in our praises and songs and enjoyed every minute of it. After all, the message of God’s love is located in every praise song and every hymn and it came through loud and clear. We were touched through and through.

After services there was a pot luck, fun and fellowship.

Lila Milhuff

Obituary

Roy Dozier, 88, of Bernice, LA, and formerly of Versailles, IL, died on June 16, 2011. He was born on Dec. 11, 1922, in Cooperstown, IL, the son of Frank and Hattie Dozier.

After two enlistments in the army, Roy married Dolores (Laurie) Schuette from Quincy, IL, on April 3, 1954. They built a farm together in Brown County, IL, and became members of our denomination in 1964. Over the years, they attended congregations in St. Louis, Peoria, and Macomb. Roy was a great example of steadfastness to his family for the most important matters in life and will always be remembered for his humor, often used during the long car trips to weekly services or feast trips with multiple family members in tow.

Survivors include Laurie Dozier of Bernice, LA; two daughters, Denise Butler (Sam) of Rockford, MI, and Terry (Steven) Pelfrey, of Bernice, LA; and their children: Nikki Butler of Gold Coast, Australia, Joffre Roy Butler of Kalamazoo, MI, Elizabeth Pelfrey of Lafayette, LA, and Jacqueline Pelfrey of Pensacola, FL.

A Celebration of Life service was held on June 19, 2011, in Farmerville, LA, officiated by his son-in-law, Pastor Sam Butler of New Life in Christ in Grand Rapids, MI.