8 • The Beacon July 15 , 2021
On what would have been his 70th birthday , the family of Pastor Dave Fowls has decided to honor his memory with this tribute instead having a memorial service , which was previously announced .
On Dec . 9 , 2020 , Perry Chapel Church lost its beloved pastor of 41 years when he passed from this world to his heavenly home at Genesis Hospital in Zanesville . David Blaine Fowls ( Pastor Dave ) was born July 13 , 1951 , to the late Kenneth Blaine and Shirley Lupher Fowls in Mount Vernon , Ohio . He attended the University of Montana and later took courses through Moody Bible Institute and Southern Baptist Seminary Extension . Dave was an avid big game hunter and has several trophy mounts to show for it . His main interests were history ( especially the Civil War ), baseball , and Jesus . David was a fifth
In Loving Memory
John Fisher
10 / 5 / 59 - 7 / 17 / 17
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Pastor Dave Fowls
generation member of Perry Chapel , having descended from the Wright-Rinehart-Lupher families , who were active members of Perry Chapel , dating back to the late 1800 ’ s . Pastor Dave ’ s Grandmother , Annabelle Lupher , was pianist of Perry Chapel for many years and was eventually succeeded from his wife Judy who remains as a musician there .
Pastor Dave ’ s mother was the only daughter of Annabelle and Miles Wesley Lupher , Sr . Shirley and Annabelle greatly influenced Pastor
You never said I ’ m leaving you never said goodbye , you were gone before I knew it and only God knows why . A million times I needed you , a million times I cried ,
Submitted
if love alone could have saved you you never would have died . In life I loved you dearly in death , I love you still , in my heart I hold a place that only you can fill . It broke my heart to love you , but you didn ’ t go alone , as part of me went with you the day God took you home . Forever my love Your wife , Tammie
Obituaries
Pastor Dave Fowls
Dave ’ s spiritual growth , as did his Uncle Tad ( Shirley ’ s oldest brother and husband of Norma Lupher , secretary of Perry Chapel from 2003 until 2021 .) Pastor Dave was the older brother of Carol Staats , who attends Perry Chapel , and Christina White , deceased . He and Judy Dunn met in 1978 and were married on July 21 , 1979 . Judy joined Dave in his singing ministry , which continued until the birth of their first daughter , Erin , in 1984 . Daughter Jenna came along in 1989 . Erin married Adam Stone in 2004 and further blessed Pastor Dave and Judy with two grandchildren – Ivy Adelyn ( 2016 ) and Xander Braddock ( 2017 ). Jenna and Tanner Simmons plan to be married in August 2021 . In addition , he has two nephews , four nieces , and dear friends , Buddy and Kay Davis . He and Buddy were like brothers .
At the age of 12 , Dave asked Jesus into his heart and started studying eschatology at age 15 , carrying his Bible to school with him everyday . It was in his late teens that he reinstituted the Christmas Eve candlelight service at Perry Chapel after many years of not having one . After attending the University of Montana for one year , he and his best friend Buddy Davis spent a couple of years in Nashville , TN , where they were aspiring singers / songwriters . During that time , while attending a James Robison evangelistic crusade in Nashville with Kay Booth ( who would later become Buddy ’ s wife ), Dave felt God ’ s calling to preach . He also led the youth group for a few years . About that time , he began taking correspondence courses in theology and apologetics .
Dave began preaching an an interim pastor at Perry Chapel on Thanksgiving Sunday in 1979 , in the old , lower building
In Memory of
Lewis and Kevin Keirns LEWIS KEIRNS 1938-2015 KEVIN KEIRNS 1969-2018 Lewis - July 19 , 2015 Kevin - July 15 , 2018
Love and Miss You Everyday -The Keirns Family
BF-00521849 while also working as a substitute rural mail carrier out of Mount Vernon , beginning in 1980 . The post office hired him full-time in 1984 , and he became a “ bi-vocational ” pastor . On Sept . 22 , 1985 , he was ordained by the American Baptist Churches , U . S . A ., upon recommendation of the Mohican Association . Pastor Dave continued to carry mail and pastor until 1998 when he “ retired ” from the USPS . On Jan . 18 , 1998 , he delivered his first message as Perry Chapel ’ s first time ever full-time pastor . As Perry Chapel grew , the building had to be added on to three times , until a separate , larger , building was built in 2003 to accommodate a congregation that had grown from 30 people to an average weekly attendance of 300 .
Perry Chapel ’ s mission statement is based on Pastor Dave ’ s vision to “ see people come to Christ and then grow in Christ .” He wanted to reach people in these “ hills and hollows .” During Pastor Dave ’ s 41 years of pastoral leadership at Perry Chapel , his vision became a reality . This was done through his preaching / teaching from God ’ s Word . Sunday School ( connection groups ) for nursery through adult ; Bible study ( mixed , women ’ s , men ’ s ); continuing youth group ; supporting missions at home and abroad ; and reaching out to the community through Upward Sports and other events . David Dodridge , member ( now deceased ) and a former pastor of Perry Chapel , nominated Pastor Dave for the Rosa O . Hall Town and Country Award , an American Baptist Churches , USA , award which honors pastors who evidence exceptional effectiveness in rural ministry . Pastor Dave was presented this award at the National Ministries Biennial Meeting of ABC – USA , held in Washington , D . C ., on June 30 , 2007 .
Pastor Dave has left Perry Chapel with a legacy of growing God ’ s Kingdom through loving others and following God ’ s Word . May that legacy continue through whomever God has chosen to be his successor .
Pastor Dave ’ s graveside service was beautifully officiated by Pastor Chris Cutshall of Fresno Bible Church . Anyone who was unable to attend the graveside service may view it online by going to the obituaries on the Fischer Funeral Home website .
Rotary Club gives out scholarships
The Coshocton Rotary Club recently awarded scholarships to two local students .
River View ’ s scholarship winner was Trinitee Marshall . She will attend OSU Newark to study child psychology . She is the daughter of Donald Lomax and Danielle Davis .
Coshocton ’ s winner was Nathaniel Fauver . He will attend Mount Union College . He is the
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