Orville Wells Babcock 1909-2000
Categories: Milton College Graduate,
Milton Junction SDB Church Pastor,
Minister / Pastor,
North Loup, Nebraska,
The Sabbath Recorder Obituary"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 222, No 11, p 28, Nov., 2000.
The Rev. Orville Wells Babcock, beloved Pastor Emeritus of the White Cloud, Mich., Seventh Day Baptist Church, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2000, just 12 days short of his 91st birthday.
The son of Rolla and Hattie (Green) Babcock, Orville was born on September 14, 1909, on a Nebraska farm homesteaded by his Grandfather Babcock in the 1870s. One of his ancestors, James Babcock, had emigrated in the 1640s from England, where he was a member of a Sabbathkeeping church. Orville estimated that he was the 14th generation of Sabbathkeepers descended from James.
After graduating from North Loup (Neb.) High School in 1928, Orville heeded the wishes of his mother and his own inner urgings and prepared for the ministry. He entered Milton (Wis.) College, financing his education with a variety of odd jobs, including washing the science lab windows and tending a residential coal furnace.
During his college years he was a member of the Glee Club and a male quartet. He was also on the football team, lettering all four years and serving as captain his senior year.
In the fall of 1932, Orville enrolled in the Alfred, N.Y., School of Theology. He shared a house with three other ministerial students. One of them, Al Rogers, became a lifelong friend and preceded him in death by only a few days.
In 1934, Orville became pastor of the Adams Center, N. Y., SDB Church. He transferred to the Presbyterian Seminary in Auburn, N.Y., and received his Bachelor of Theology in the spring of 1935.
Orville Married Mabel Butts of Adams Center in 1937, and she became his first baptismal candidate. (Due to his inexperience of her apprehension, Mabel used to claim that he held he under the water a little longer than necessary!) Their only child, George Richard was born in 1940.
Mabel died in 1985. In 1990, he married the former Laura Burke, who died in 1996.
Orville's pastorates include Salemville, Pa.; Milton Junction, Wis. [1940-1948]; and White Cloud. In 1957, he resigned the pastorate to become a full-time science teacher in the White Cloud Public Schools. He retired in 1972.
He was a charter member of the White Cloud Rotary Club and served many years as president of the Newaygo County United Way Board of Directors. He had a lifetime interest in music and directed a local community chorus for several years. His fine tenor voice was a welcome addition to the United Methodist Church choir.
Orville's sense of humor and kind, gentle manner endeared him to many. They were immeasurably blessed by having known this faithful servant of the Lord.
Survivors include his son, George, of Allegan, Mich., and three grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted at the White Cloud SDB Church on September 6, 2000, by Pastor Bernie Wethington. Burial was in the White Cloud Cemetery.