Vol. III NO 4. | THE ELLER FAMILY ASSOCIATION | NOVEMBER 1989 |
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RESUMEJohn L. Eller | ||
Early Life | ||
Born March 20, 1939, in SC, the elder of two Sons, Graduated from Greer Senior High School, Class of 1957. Reporter-photographer for the Greer High Times. | ||
Education | ||
Schools | Degrees | |
Southwest Mo. State Univ. | Bachelor of Arts | |
Toledo Bible College | Master of Arts | |
Alabama Bible College | Doctor of Religious Education | |
Trinity Theological Seminary | Doctor of Theology (summa cum laude) | |
Ministry | ||
Evangelist, 1953-63 (250 crusades) (Ordained 1957, 1963)br
Pastor, A/G, Rector, AR, 1963 (Cong: 75) Pastor, 1st A/G, Valley Park, MO (St. Louis Co.), 1964-69 (Cong: 125) Pastor, A/G, Thayer, MO, 1969-70 (Cong: 160) Director Youth & Education (D-CAP), Southern Missouri District (400 churches), 1970-73 Pastor, 1st A/C, Milan, TN, 1973-76 (Cong: 280) Pastor, lst A/G, Hannibal, @,10, 1977-81 (Cong-: 475) Interim Pastor, 1st A/C, Poplar Bluff, MO, June, 1981 (Cong: 275) Pastor A/G, Galena, KS, 1981 - 84 (Cong: 300) Pastor 1st A/G, Green Forest, AK, 1984 - presents (Cong: 300) | ||
Positions | ||
National Royal Rangers Council, 1968 - present Presbyter, Southern Missouri 1970-73 National Sunday School Committee, 1971 - 75 Committee on Advance (National), 1972 Gulf Regional Youth Chairman, 1973 National Bible Quizmaster, 1970 - 73 Departmental Editor, National A/G Men's Department, 1974-78 President, Milan Ministerial Association, 1976 Presbyter, Tennessee District, 1976 - 77 State Director, Tennessee Men's Department, 1976 - 77 President (Supt.), First Assembly Christian Schools of Hannibal, 1977-81 (225 students) President, Galena Ministerial Alliance, 1982 - 84 President, Green Forest Ministerial Alliance, 1986 - present | ||
Honors | ||
Doctor of Literature (honorary), Bodkin Bible Institute Doctor of Humanities (honorary), Bethany Bible College Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Covington Theological Seminary Honorary Tribal Chief, Western Band of Cherokee Indians (Oklahoma) Who's Who in Religion in the United States (current) | ||
Achievements & Special Interests | ||
Author of numerous books (some published by GPH), and hundreds of articles appearing in The Pentecostal Evangel, Paraclete, Advance, Faith Journal, The Presbyterian Journal, High Adventure, etc. Composer of more than 150 Gospel songs. Many published by Tennessee Music & Printing Co., GPH, and others. Four years experience as superintendent of Christian schools, acquainted with A Beka Book, A.C.E., and Alph-Omega curriculums; five years experience as Camp Director; fifteen years experience as a radio speaker; numerous TV appearances and promotions. Experience in administration, church growth and management, and public relations. Since 1972, have handled media relations for national meetings sponsored by the Assemblies of God Men's Department, working directly with CBS, NBC Today, and Paul Harvey News. Handled press releases and promos with most of the major newspapers in the United States. Since 1985, have been a member of the cast of America's #1 outdoor drama, The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. | ||
Family | ||
Married the former Bonnie M. Ruble of St. Louis, MO, an ordained minister in her own right, on July 6, 1963. Bonnie is a member of the Piano Teachers Guild of America, and plays numerous instruments. She earned her B.A. from Alabama Bible College, and her M.A. from Alaga Theological Seminary. She is a certified public school teacher in Missouri and Kansas. She has directed orchestras, choirs, worked as church secretary, and served as District Missionettes Coordinator for Southern Missouri. Our children are: Johna Marie, age 16, a Gifted & Talented student who has been Children's Church Director two (2) years; Jeanie, age 12, also Gifted & Talented. John David, age 11, plays drums and basketball. |
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Eighth of Family of Fifteen. Was resident of Blair since 1880
FORMER LEGISLATOR CLERK AND JUDGE
I.C. Eller, well known and highly respected citizen of this county, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Morris, of Blair on December 1st after a residence here of sixty-four years.
Judge Eller was born in Iowa on December 17, 1853, and came to Blair in 1880. He studied law with an elder brother, William Eller, and was admitted to the bar in 1883 and immediately began practicing.
On November 3rd, 1886, he was married to Miss Ella E. Kemp and to them three children were born, two daughters and one son. The son passed away in childhood. The daughters are Mrs. Harry Morris of Blair and Mrs. R.J. Roush of Des Moines, Iowa, who with five grandchildren and three great grandchildren survive.
In his early career, Judge Eller showed himself to be strictly honorable in his business dealings and gained the public trust which carried him into various public offices which he filled with great satisfaction to his constituents and with credit to himself.
He served as Clerk of the District Court for eight years and then resumed the practice of law. He as appointed as Clerk of the Court and again took the office in 1908 and filled out the vacancy by the death of Theodore Haller. He was again elected in 1910 but soon after resigned to be appointed as County Judge which place he filled until he retired from active work.
For the past several years he has lived quietly and has put in much of his time with his garden and flowers.
In his passing, Blair has lost a good citizen; one who never compromised on any subject but lived and acted according to his conscience. But he had lived his life a life of activity and use-fullness one filled with honor to him-self and his friends with long point to his record as an example well worthy of emulation.
Funeral services were hold on Sunday afternoon at the Congregational Church with Rev. Watson F. Lewis officiating, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.
Otis R. Eller, Oldest Record Employee in Division in Three States
Otis R. Eller;, assistant chief clerk of the railway mail service, Lincoln district, put down his pen and closed his desk in the federal building for the last time Tuesday. He had been continuously in the service since Nov. 24, 1693, and upon the effective date of his retirement, July 31, will have served 46 years and 8 months. His annual leave - and his last one - commenced after business Tuesday. He retires at the age of 70.
His plans for the future are indefinite. Mr. and Mrs. Eller will visit their children in Kansas City, Chicago and New York and probably will spend next winter in Southern California.
Extremely popular with all men of the service, Mr. Eller was surprised Tuesday afternoon when upward of 40 railroad clerks of the Lincoln district walked in on him. J. M. Craig, Council Bluffs, president of the 14th division, railway clerks, made it a point to be present. An immense bouquet of red roses rested upon his desk and a fine watch, token of affection held for him by all the clerks of his district, was presented by E. P. Drake for a host of associates.
Mr. Eller was appointed substitute railway postal clerk on Nov. 24, 1893, running between Omaha and Ogden on the Union Pacific. His next run was Long Pine to Deadwood on the Northwestern. In 1900 he was transferred to what was then the Pacific Junction to Denver run, on the Burlington.
After several promotions he became in 1914 assistant chief clerk of the Lincoln district. In 1917 he voluntarily returned to the road as clerk in charge of the run from Omaha to Denver. On Oct. 1, 1925, he was promoted to chief clerk of the railway mail service, succeeding John M. Butler. He served in that capacity until 1933 and has since held the position of assistant chief clerk.
In point of service, Mr. Eller is senior man of the 14th division comprising Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado.
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Another long-time resident of this vicinity was taken from us Sunday when T. A. Eller passed to his reward. Stricken with paralysis on March 13th, followed by a second stroke on the following Tuesday, Mr. Eller's condition became daily worse until Death released him from all suffering.
Thomas Arnold Eller, son of Harvey and Mary Caroline Vannoy Eller, was born on September 12, 1859, at Competine, Iowa, and departed this life on March 28, 1937, at his home in Stratton, Nebraska, at the age of 77 years, 6 months and 16 days.
He was united in marriage on September 22, 1881 to Alice Caroline Phelps of Ottumwa, Iowa, and, to this union seven children were born, namely: Alden R., Ira B., Ella Phelps, Stella Mae, Vernon T., Cleveland H., and John H. Ira died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Eller moved from Competine, Iowa to Clay Center, Nebraska, in November 1883. From Clay Center they moved to a farm five miles east of Stratton in 1903, and from the farm into Stratton in 1913. Mrs. Eller passed to her reward on September 30, 1930.
Mr. Eller lived continuously in Stratton with the exception of two years residence in Farson, Iowa.
On November 4, 1931, Mr. Eller was united in marriage to Miss Lavona Scott of Farson, Iowa, she having passed away on February 21, 1933.
The marriage of Mr. Eller to Mrs. Mary V. Buffington of Stratton, occurred on May 15, 1935. She preceded him to her heavenly home only five weeks ago.
Mr. Eller was converted to Christ when a young man and united with the Baptist church. He united with the Stratton Christian Church in October 1911 and had always been a faithful member and efficient worker in the church. He was unswerving in his loyalty to Christ, uncompromisingly opposed to all evil, scholarly in his understanding and interpretation of the Holy scriptures, and not only a Christian in word but in deed and truth. He will be remembered as one of Stratton's staunchest defenders of the Christian faith. It seemed very fitting that this gallant Christian should be called into the presence of Christ on Easter Day, hallowed as it is with the great fact of our Lord's resurrection.
Mr. Eller was a very devoted husband and father. He lived an exemplary life before his family and maintained a home that was beautifully Christian. He will be remembered for great kindness to family and neighbors. Even strangers found in him a friend and helper in times of need.
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Sorrowing loved ones are his four sons: Alden R. of Trenton; Vernon T., Cleveland H. and John H. Eller of Stratton; two daughters, Mrs. Ella Owens and Mrs. Stella Hartman, of Statton; three brothers and one sister, T.C. Eller of Blair, Nebraska, Mrs. Maratha Dickens of Farson, Iowa, J.H. Eller of Clay Center Nebraska, and O.R. Eller of Lincoln, Nebraska, the latter two being present at the funeral; eleven grandchildren, all of whom were able to be present at the funeral excepting Kenneth H. Eller of Pony, Montana. Besides these he will be greatly missed by many other relatives, friends and neighbors.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, March 30, at 1:30 p.m. from Stratton Methodist Church, Rev. Marion Hill officiating, assisted by E.H. Hinkle. Interment was made in Rose Hill Cemetery
To the bereaved ones the News extends condolence.
Additional Information:
0. R. (Otis Reader) Eller pp. 249-251 James W. Hook, 1957
Thomas Arnold Eller pp. 226-231 James W. Hook, 1957
I. C. (Israel Curtis) Eller pp. 218-221 James W. Hook, 1957
( Thanks to Bethel Stolte, Eloise Morris Sperati and Myrrel Baldwin for above information on these three sous of Harvey Eller of Wilkes Co., N.C. and Wapello Co., Iowa.... Eds.)
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FROM: JOYCE D. McNEIL, SEC./TREAS., WILKES GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, INC., P.O. BOX 1629, NORTH WILKESBORO, NC 28659
Reprinting of THE HERITAGE BOOK OF WILKES COUNTY, published in 1982. 403 of 518 pp. consist of family histories. Orders postmarked before Nov. 30, 1989- $45.00 plus tax and $2.90 postage, if applicable. Orders after Nov. 30, 1989- $50.00 plus tax and $2.90 postage, if applicable. Many other books published by the Society are available; Membership is invited. Dues for- 1989 are $7.50; will increase to $10.00 in 1990. Genealogical and family history information is solicited for- a second volume of THE HERITAGE BOOK; contact Joyce at above address for details on any of these matters.
From: MICHAEL A. REESE, P.O. BOX 42298, HOUSTON, TX 77242
The book announced May 18, 1988 (Vol. II, No. 3, The Eller Chronicles, p. 86b) with chapters pertaining to Henry and David Eller of Union Co., N.C., sons of Peter Eller, Jr. of Wilkes Co., NC, is expected to be published soon. (Eds. Mr. Reese is doing this book for Mr. David Eller, President of Granada Corp. whom we hope to publish biographical information in a future issue. Estimated cost about $30.00 plus shipping charges. Orders are being taken at above address or Telephone: 1-800-231-2183
FROM: THE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF ROWAN COUNTY, N.C., P.O. Box 5305, Salisbury, N.C.
THE HERITAGE OF ROWAN COUNTY, VOLUME I, 1990 to be published. Submission deadline: November -20, 1989. Write for guidelines for, submitting material.
Quilt by Mary Caroline Vannoy Eller (1823-1904),. wife of Harvey Eller (1819-1906) and 5 of their Gr-Grandchildren. Lynn Eller, Dorothy Vaughn, Bethel Stolte, Carleton Sperrati, Myrrel Baldwin, & Eloise Sperrati (who owns the quilt)
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