In
Memoriam
In 2013, One Mission Society lost several beloved missionaries. We
now honor and remember those OMS missionaries that served with
distinction for 10 years or more.
Edna Beachy arrived in Haiti with her husband Claude in January
1971. Besides caring for her family, Edna also served as secretary for Radio
4VEH and responded to letters from Haitian listeners. In 1987, Claude and
Edna began working with the HCJB radio station in Ecuador. They continued traveling to both countries after retirement in 1992.
G. Burton Biddulph arrived with his family in Medellin, Colombia,
in July 1946 to help establish OMS ministries in South America and teach
in the seminary. Throughout his career, Burt served in many leadership
roles, including field leader in Colombia and Spain. He was also involved
in discipleship and lay-leader training.
Nelda Boggan served with her family in Brazil from 1959 to 1969.
Nelda was always eager to serve wherever there was a need and often
accompanied student evangelism teams as they went out to share the
Gospel.
Edward Erny, the son of OMS missionaries, initially served with OMS
for two years as a crusader in Taiwan. After marrying Rachel, they went
on to serve in many roles in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Ed
also served as OMS President from 1986-1992 and was a prolific writer
for many years.
Truman Gottschalk, upon retirement from years in the pastorate,
joined One Mission Society with his wife Eileen in 1986. Truman served in
the area of planned giving, covering the states of Florida, Georgia, North
Carolina, and South Carolina. After Eileen’s death, he married long-time
OMS missionary Alice Huff.
Paul Haines went to Japan with his wife Florence in 1951. Paul was
in Korea by December that year, teaching at the seminary, leading evangelism teams, and discipling Korean pastors. Florence joined him in 1954
after the war. When they returned to the U.S. in 1978, Paul served as a
liaison between OMS and the Korea Evangelical Church of America.
Howard Jacob pastored for 12 years before he and his wife Wilma
joined OMS in 1964. They served as regional directors in the Northeast
from 1964 to 1988 and then in the Southeast until 1990. They continued
in extended missionary service until 1994.
Arlene Bush, with her husband Bob, began working at OMS headquarters in 1977. Together, they started the Audio-Visual Department. In
addition to traveling to OMS fields, Arlene catalogued AV items, produced
literature, and helped missionaries prepare slide shows for deputation.
Edna “Nanoo” Kilbourne and her husband Ed went with OMS in
1947 to China and later, Japan. Eventually, they served in Korea, where Nanoo
taught English at Seoul Theological Seminary and then was supervisor of
housekeeping at Severance Hospital. They returned to the U.S. in 1973,
and Nanoo traveled extensively with Ed for OMS over the next 15 years.
Melva Clevenger sp ent 33 years with her husband Hubert (Clevy)
in Brazil. Melva served as mission secretary and a teacher in the Londrina
seminary. She was also involved in working with women, counseling, and
entertaining. Even after retirement in 1988, Melva and Clevy continued
traveling to Brazil to teach in the seminary.
Melvin Kizer served with his wife Nancy in Hong Kong from 1974
to 1983. Mel served as the OMS business manager and taught English
Bible classes and journalism. After Nancy passed away, Mel returned to
Hong Kong for a short-term assignment and then served in the U.S. until
his retirement.
Carolyn Eddans spent 25 years serving in a variety of roles with OMS
in Japan and New Zealand, as well as at the OMS World Headquarters. She
also spent a month assisting in the OMS Australia office. Everywhere she
served, Carolyn used her God-given gifts of service and administration to
open doors for sharing his love.
Eugene Wittig and his wife Marjorie spent the first years of their
ministry with OMS in Colombia. There, he pioneered a river launch ministry along the Magdalena River and helped form the Cristalina Bible
School. Gene and Marj transferred to Ecuador briefly and then to OMS
World Headquarters, where he served as vice president of administration.
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