Henry (Hank) Berger, of Longview, TX, died at age 79 from complications from surgery on Feb. 22. Born in Pennsylvania in 1930, Hank was a member of the Air Force from 1948 to 1951. While at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX, he met (Mary) Jean Marshall, and they were married in 1951.

Hank was employed as an accountant/comptroller most of his working life. After retiring in 1995, Hank and Jean spent a good deal of time traveling cross-country in their RV. Hank had a life-long love for music—singing and playing his four-string tenor guitar in church, in many nursing homes, in other service venues and at family gatherings. Singing music in praise to God was a highlight of his life—and a blessing to many who enjoyed his singing. He and Jean became members in 1972, attending several congregations in Texas and Pennsylvania. For several summers, Hank and Jean volunteered as staff at the youth camp in Orr, Minnesota. At his death, Hank was actively involved in ministry in Grace Christian Fellowship in Longview, Texas.

Hank leaves behind his loving wife, Jean, and three children: Sue Hill and husband, Doug; Lee Berger (elder in Longview, TX) and wife, Sue; Donna Koerner and husband, David. Other family members are grandsons Lee Stephens and wife, Mindy; Robert Stephens; Aaron Gaither and wife, Jennifer, and great-grandson, Blake.

In memory of Hank, donations can be made to the Jon Whitney Foundation, online at www.jonwhitneyfoundation.com. This foundation provides funding to help youth attend our camps in the U.S. and some foreign countries.

Vera Dill, 90, a long-time member in Birmingham, AL, died Dec. 23 after a courageous fight with cancer. She was a loving mother, Granny and homemaker. She kept over 60 babies for the Children’s Aid Society before they were adopted. Later she maintained a day care in her home. Her hard work, strong determination as well as her love of the Lord has always been an inspiration for her family and those who knew her.

Emma Haynes, almost 97, died January 8. Emma was an inspiration to many. She loved her family and was no stranger to hard work. Her greatest pleasure in later life was to attend church. She was baptized in 1958 and was a charter member of the church in Birmingham, AL.

Dorothy Heisz-Dankert, 96, of Lake Delton, WI, died Feb. 17 at the Golden Living Center in Wisconsin Dells. She was born April 4, 1912 in Webster Township of Vernon County, WI. She was raised and educated in the rural area of southwestern Wisconsin. Dorothy was a cook in various restaurants in the area. She was a member of Grace Fellowship, where she served as deaconess.

Dorothy is survived by a son, Thomas Heisz; daughters, Marilyn Larson, Rita Bennett, and Barbara Flickner; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Roger in 1961; and her husbands, Eddie Heisz and Emil Dankert.

Beatrice (Ma Bea) Jones, 92, died Feb. 4, 2008, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 16, 1915, in Bovina, MS, to Monroe Jackson and Edna Walker Jackson-White. She was a member of our church and of the Bathsheba Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star.

In her 92 years, Ma Bea touched the lives of many with her unconditional love, compassion, generosity, kindness, and unwavering faith. She was loved by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

She was preceded in death by husbands James Cook and Albert Jones; a son, Lacey Jones; a daughter, JoAnn Cook; sister, Hattie Jackson-Walker; brothers, A.D. Jackson and R.D. Jackson; and her parents.

She is survived by her loving and loyal son, James Cook, Sr. of Vicksburg; 17 grandchildren: James Cook, Jr., Ora Cook, and Peggy Cook of Vicksburg; Dale and Velma Erves of Waxahachie, TX, John and Kimberly Cook of Brooklyn Park, MN; Annie Lee Jones, Eddie Jones and Stella Miles of Flora, MS; Vernell Jones and Elvira Ingram of Jackson, MS; Minne Vearl Polk, Lurlie Lewis, Willie Jones and Albert Jones of Bentonia, MS.

There are 36 great-grandchildren, 30 great-great grandchildren, and 1 great-great-great grandchild; a sister-in-law, Esther Jackson of Vicksburg; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family wishes to recognize and publicly thank Sylvia King, Ma Bea’s niece and caregiver for her love, loyalty and care.

John Lucas III, 70, died at his home in Milwaukee, WI, on Feb. 9, after battling cancer for four years. He was a member for 25 years, and served on the ministerial team in the Milwaukee congregation. He was a financial advisor with Wachovia Securities for over 40 years, and was an avid golfer, hitting a hole-in-one on two occasions. John was generous to many over the years, with both his time and his finances. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathy, and by his daughters Laura and Lynn, and five grandchildren.

Betty Rose Morris, 66, died Feb. 24 in Turlock, CA. She was born in Oklahoma City, OK. Her parents, Verde and Nola Morris, moved the family to Modesto in 1943. Verde was a well-known master carpenter and builder. When Betty was in high school the family moved to San Jose, SA. She graduated from Camden High School in 1960. For about 20 years Betty worked in Silicon Valley at Apex Audio and Memorex. In 1980 she moved to Turlock to care for her mother. She was a member in Modesto. Betty loved life and loved her Lord.
Surviving are two brothers, Ray Morris of Glendale, CA, and Pete Morris of Napa, CA; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Morris of Dunnigan, CA; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and two loving caregivers, Dorothy Wingett and Sandy Olson-Musser.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Bill Morris and Joe Morris.

Florence E. Nail, 89, died peacefully in the Jeff Davis Living Center (a nursing home) in Jennings, LA, March 9. She was born June 10, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claud L. Nail, in 1953. She was baptized in 1968 and was one of the founding members of the Lake Charles, LA, congregation. She faithfully served the congregation through the years as deaconess, secretary, treasurer and librarian.

Alice Rekemeyer, 80, died on March 1 in Dewitt, Iowa. She was born Oct. 31, 1928 in Clarence, IA, to Henry and Selma (Wendt) Esbaum. A graduate of Davenport Central High School, she taught school in rural Scott County before her marriage to George Rekemeyer on Aug. 21, 1948. The couple farmed near Bennett for 20 years and moved to Dewitt in 1968. She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, flowers, reading and traveling. She was a member of Living Faith Church in Bettendorf.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Merle Esbaum; she is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, George, two sons, Ralph and his wife Anita, and Russell; one grandchild, Alison Rekemeyer, all of Dewitt, a sister, Donna Harrell, of Rossville, GA, and two nieces, Sonja Davie of Burlington, Ontario, and Leisha Harrell Espy, of Rossville, GA.

Rebecca Jean Vincent, 44, of Athens, GA, died Feb. 10. Born in Columbia, SC, she was the daughter of Carlisle and Jean Elizabeth Zeisloft Hutto. She was an encourager to the Athens congregation in the way she handled her illness. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Susan Krasae. Survivors include her daughter, Jessica Vincent, of Athens; brothers, James Hutto of Alvin, TX; Eric Overturf of PA; sisters, Deborah Long of Kansas; Donna Chasteen of Texas; Diane Denny of Columbia; and Charlotte Overturf of Falls, PA.  

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