Today's Obituary

[Sam]

This is an obituary from an online version of today's Cincinnati newspaper:

Originally published on 3/18/2007
SHAFER Rev. Eugene Harold. Beloved husband of Dorothy Marie Shafer. Dear father of Eugene E. Shafer, Gladys Beam, Laura Daniels and Mary Jane Lewallen. Brother of Mildred, James "Happy", Elwanda, Audrey, Andrew, Goldie and Chester. Loving grandfather of Richard, Gary, David, Laura, Deborah, Elbert, Wesley, Gladys, Bridget, Brian, Eugene E., Robert "Bobby", Robert E., Melissa, Phillip, Lewis, Patty, many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Passed away peacefully Friday, March 16, 2007. Age 94 years. Friends may call at Chas. A. Miller Sons Funeral Home, 4138 Hamilton Avenue at Knowlton Street, Northside, Tuesday March 20 from 11 AM until time of funeral service at 1 PM. Interment Baltimore Pike Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting the online guestbook at www.chasamillersons.com
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This gives lots of facts about an old man who died a few days ago but says nothing about him as a preacher who loved Jesus and loved His name. Bro. Eugene Shafer was pastoring a church here in the downtown Cincinnati area when I first came this far south in the spring of 1957.

From what I understand, he was a Church of God preacher when he was introduced to Eld. Fred Crider by his daughter, Virginia Crider. Eld. Fred Crider talked to him and as a result he was later baptized in Jesus' name. Eugene Shafer was a Jesus' Name preacher as long as I can remember. Eugene Shafer and Virgina Crider were married many, many years ago. I don't really know how many years ago it was. Virginia was also a Jesus' Name preacher and they had three children together. Later, she went a completely different direction and Eugene raised those children. He later married Dorothy, the woman who is listed in the obituary, and they had a daughter together. He always carried the stigma of being a divorced and remarried minister.

Eld. Fred Crider was my wife's grandfather and Virginia was her aunt (her father's sister). I was introduced to Bro. Eugene Shafer shortly after coming to Cincinnati. I've visited his church many times and have preached for him several times. Years ago I heard that he had baptized over a thousand people in Jesus' name in this area so I don't know what the number might have been in his life time.

I had lost track of Bro. Shafer until I heard last summer that he had suffered a stroke and was in the hospital. I visited him but he did not wake up so I prayed for him quietly after talking to his wife and daughter. I went back again a week or so later and he was awake and alert. We talked about some old times and his memory was clear and sharp. He later went to a nursing home for rehab and my wife and I visited him there. Again, he was sharp and alert and very much in love with Jesus. Then I heard a couple of days ago that he had died. When I heard that I rejoiced in the Lord that this faithful old soldier had been called home to his reward. Eugene, as he liked to be called, put a lot of effort in worshiping the Lord. I've seen him dance and shout many times. He had a couple of songs, "Prayer Bells of Heaven" and "I Saw the Light" that he used to sing. I'm sure he is shouting and singing around the throne and looking at the face of Jesus right now. A while back I heard a song that pretty well describes what is going on in with him in Heaven right now. I only remember a few words but it said something like:
Sing the songs of Zion,
Shout the victory,
and march around the throne one time for me.

[retsambeW]

As I recall, his church was on the road by the Ohio River. I have been there for a fellowship meeting years ago. He was a kind man, very humble.

Other area pastors sent a great deal many young preachers there to get their first "shot" at pulpit time as many didn't want to turn them loose at home, so as to speak. At least one of those pastors has admitted that to me.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Sam

This is an obituary from an online version of today's Cincinnati newspaper:

Originally published on 3/18/2007
SHAFER Rev. Eugene Harold. Beloved husband of Dorothy Marie Shafer. Dear father of Eugene E. Shafer, Gladys Beam, Laura Daniels and Mary Jane Lewallen. Brother of Mildred, James "Happy", Elwanda, Audrey, Andrew, Goldie and Chester. Loving grandfather of Richard, Gary, David, Laura, Deborah, Elbert, Wesley, Gladys, Bridget, Brian, Eugene E., Robert "Bobby", Robert E., Melissa, Phillip, Lewis, Patty, many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Passed away peacefully Friday, March 16, 2007. Age 94 years. Friends may call at Chas. A. Miller Sons Funeral Home, 4138 Hamilton Avenue at Knowlton Street, Northside, Tuesday March 20 from 11 AM until time of funeral service at 1 PM. Interment Baltimore Pike Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting the online guestbook at www.chasamillersons.com
----------------------------------------
This gives lots of facts about an old man who died a few days ago but says nothing about him as a preacher who loved Jesus and loved His name. Bro. Eugene Shafer was pastoring a church here in the downtown Cincinnati area when I first came this far south in the spring of 1957.

From what I understand, he was a Church of God preacher when he was introduced to Eld. Fred Crider by his daughter, Virginia Crider. Eld. Fred Crider talked to him and as a result he was later baptized in Jesus' name. Eugene Shafer was a Jesus' Name preacher as long as I can remember. Eugene Shafer and Virgina Crider were married many, many years ago. I don't really know how many years ago it was. Virginia was also a Jesus' Name preacher and they had three children together. Later, she went a completely different direction and Eugene raised those children. He later married Dorothy, the woman who is listed in the obituary, and they had a daughter together. He always carried the stigma of being a divorced and remarried minister.

Eld. Fred Crider was my wife's grandfather and Virginia was her aunt (her father's sister). I was introduced to Bro. Eugene Shafer shortly after coming to Cincinnati. I've visited his church many times and have preached for him several times. Years ago I heard that he had baptized over a thousand people in Jesus' name in this area so I don't know what the number might have been in his life time.

I had lost track of Bro. Shafer until I heard last summer that he had suffered a stroke and was in the hospital. I visited him but he did not wake up so I prayed for him quietly after talking to his wife and daughter. I went back again a week or so later and he was awake and alert. We talked about some old times and his memory was clear and sharp. He later went to a nursing home for rehab and my wife and I visited him there. Again, he was sharp and alert and very much in love with Jesus. Then I heard a couple of days ago that he had died. When I heard that I rejoiced in the Lord that this faithful old soldier had been called home to his reward. Eugene, as he liked to be called, put a lot of effort in worshiping the Lord. I've seen him dance and shout many times. He had a couple of songs, "Prayer Bells of Heaven" and "I Saw the Light" that he used to sing. I'm sure he is shouting and singing around the throne and looking at the face of Jesus right now. A while back I heard a song that pretty well describes what is going on in with him in Heaven right now. I only remember a few words but it said something like:
Sing the songs of Zion,
Shout the victory,
and march around the throne one time for me.

Did he or you know Frank Curts? Who pastored a large church in Cincinnati, Ohio until he was killed by car in 1968?

My dad was very good friend to Frank Curts and is buried just a few graves away from him in Cincinnati...

Nathan Eckstadt

[Sam]

Originally Posted by retsambeW

As I recall, his church was on the road by the Ohio River. I have been there for a fellowship meeting years ago. He was a kind man, very humble.

Other area pastors sent a great deal many young preachers there to get their first "shot" at pulpit time as many didn't want to turn them loose at home, so as to speak. At least one of those pastors has admitted that to me.

He has had a church located several different places in the city of Cincinnati. The only one I visited was not near the river but I think the last one he pastored was near the river on Eastern Ave.

In late summer 1959 I rode to Charleston, WV with him and his wife and another couple to a Church of Jesus Christ conference. I was 21 years old and our first child was due in November. I took out license with the Church of Jesus Christ at that conference. I think he was affiliated with them and I know my wife's grandfather, Eld. Fred Crider, was affiliated with them. Eugene was later affiliated with the "Church of Jesus Christ, Pentecostal Faith." Bishop G. Brock in Indianapolis, IN was the Presiding Bishop and the headquarters church was in Niles, MI. I was later licensed with that group. I heard or read somewhere that they later merged with another group called "The Church of Jesus Christ." As you know, that is a popular name for Jesus' Name Pentecostal organizations. I have no idea who Eugene was affiliated with over the years, probably independent most of the time. I know he did fellowship with with Bishop Howard in New Castle, IN and I've been at his (Eugene's) church when Bishop R.L. Hancock from North Carolina was there.

[retsambeW]

Originally Posted by Sam

He has had a church located several different places in the city of Cincinnati. The only one I visited was not near the river but I think the last one he pastored was near the river on Eastern Ave.

In late summer 1959 I rode to Charleston, WV with him and his wife and another couple to a Church of Jesus Christ conference. I was 21 years old and our first child was due in November. I took out license with the Church of Jesus Christ at that conference. I think he was affiliated with them and I know my wife's grandfather, Eld. Fred Crider, was affiliated with them. Eugene was later affiliated with the "Church of Jesus Christ, Pentecostal Faith." Bishop G. Brock in Indianapolis, IN was the Presiding Bishop and the headquarters church was in Niles, MI. I was later licensed with that group. I heard or read somewhere that they later merged with another group called "The Church of Jesus Christ." As you know, that is a popular name for Jesus' Name Pentecostal organizations. I have no idea who Eugene was affiliated with over the years, probably independent most of the time. I know he did fellowship with with Bishop Howard in New Castle, IN and I've been at his (Eugene's) church when Bishop R.L. Hancock from North Carolina was there.

The org out of Niles merged with The COJC I was a part of, now headquartered in Kingsport, TN. This group has the original charter that Boyd claims to have. In fact, it controls all rights to the charter and name, and yearly updates the paperwork on file in Nashville.

As you know, I am no longer part of the group, but still maintain ties with it in regards to personal relationships.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

Did he or you know Frank Curts? Who pastored a large church in Cincinnati, Ohio until he was killed by car in 1968?

My dad was very good friend to Frank Curts and is buried just a few graves away from him in Cincinnati...

Nathan Eckstadt

I came to Cincinnati in June 1957 from ABI to attend the church pastored by Frank Curts and to hear him teach. I wound up staying here and now I've been married 49 years, have 5 children, and 13 grandchildren.

I attended Bro. Curt's church from 1957 until some time in 1963 or 1964 when we started going to the local ALJC church. Eld. Joe David Sizemore was the pastor (had been since 1951) and the church had started as a split from Bro. Curts' assembly in 1945.

Bro. Curts was the District Supt. of the UPC Ohio District while I was going to his church. I taught Sunday School there and also preached for Bro. Curts several times. Bro. and Sis. Norman Paslay were assistant pastors.

In 1968 or so, there was some kind of falling out between Bro. Curts and Bro. and Sis. Paslay and Bro. Curts brought in Leroy Buller as asst. pastor. Bro. and Sis Paslay left and started Calvary Pentecostal Church which is now pastored by their son and is about 2 miles from my house. The church pastored by Bro. Curts passed on to Bro. Buller when he died and is now pastored by Bro. Urshan. I've never been to that assembly but have been to the church pastored by the Paslays several times.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by retsambeW

The org out of Niles merged with The COJC I was a part of, now headquartered in Kingsport, TN. This group has the original charter that Boyd claims to have. In fact, it controls all rights to the charter and name, and yearly updates the paperwork on file in Nashville.

As you know, I am no longer part of the group, but still maintain ties with it in regards to personal relationships.

Maybe I had heard about that merger from you then.
Last time I checked you were still listed in the CoJC website and also in the UACoJC website. One of these days I hope to get to one of the UACoJC monthly fellowhip meetings when one is held near Ohio. I may get to their campmeeting here in Ohio this year.

[retsambeW]

Originally Posted by Sam

Maybe I had heard about that merger from you then.
Last time I checked you were still listed in the CoJC website and also in the UACoJC website. One of these days I hope to get to one of the UACoJC monthly fellowhip meetings when one is held near Ohio. I may get to their campmeeting here in Ohio this year.

Neither organization has responded to my requests for deletion from their websites. I am officially off their roster lists at their headquarters.

[OneAccord]

Bro. Shaffer was a fine man of God. He was Apostolic to the core. I knew him well and have been to the church in Cincinnati. "Dad" Shaffer will be missed.

Originally Posted by Sam

This is an obituary from an online version of today's Cincinnati newspaper:

Originally published on 3/18/2007
SHAFER Rev. Eugene Harold. Beloved husband of Dorothy Marie Shafer. Dear father of Eugene E. Shafer, Gladys Beam, Laura Daniels and Mary Jane Lewallen. Brother of Mildred, James "Happy", Elwanda, Audrey, Andrew, Goldie and Chester. Loving grandfather of Richard, Gary, David, Laura, Deborah, Elbert, Wesley, Gladys, Bridget, Brian, Eugene E., Robert "Bobby", Robert E., Melissa, Phillip, Lewis, Patty, many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Passed away peacefully Friday, March 16, 2007. Age 94 years. Friends may call at Chas. A. Miller Sons Funeral Home, 4138 Hamilton Avenue at Knowlton Street, Northside, Tuesday March 20 from 11 AM until time of funeral service at 1 PM. Interment Baltimore Pike Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting the online guestbook at www.chasamillersons.com
----------------------------------------
This gives lots of facts about an old man who died a few days ago but says nothing about him as a preacher who loved Jesus and loved His name. Bro. Eugene Shafer was pastoring a church here in the downtown Cincinnati area when I first came this far south in the spring of 1957.

From what I understand, he was a Church of God preacher when he was introduced to Eld. Fred Crider by his daughter, Virginia Crider. Eld. Fred Crider talked to him and as a result he was later baptized in Jesus' name. Eugene Shafer was a Jesus' Name preacher as long as I can remember. Eugene Shafer and Virgina Crider were married many, many years ago. I don't really know how many years ago it was. Virginia was also a Jesus' Name preacher and they had three children together. Later, she went a completely different direction and Eugene raised those children. He later married Dorothy, the woman who is listed in the obituary, and they had a daughter together. He always carried the stigma of being a divorced and remarried minister.

Eld. Fred Crider was my wife's grandfather and Virginia was her aunt (her father's sister). I was introduced to Bro. Eugene Shafer shortly after coming to Cincinnati. I've visited his church many times and have preached for him several times. Years ago I heard that he had baptized over a thousand people in Jesus' name in this area so I don't know what the number might have been in his life time.

I had lost track of Bro. Shafer until I heard last summer that he had suffered a stroke and was in the hospital. I visited him but he did not wake up so I prayed for him quietly after talking to his wife and daughter. I went back again a week or so later and he was awake and alert. We talked about some old times and his memory was clear and sharp. He later went to a nursing home for rehab and my wife and I visited him there. Again, he was sharp and alert and very much in love with Jesus. Then I heard a couple of days ago that he had died. When I heard that I rejoiced in the Lord that this faithful old soldier had been called home to his reward. Eugene, as he liked to be called, put a lot of effort in worshiping the Lord. I've seen him dance and shout many times. He had a couple of songs, "Prayer Bells of Heaven" and "I Saw the Light" that he used to sing. I'm sure he is shouting and singing around the throne and looking at the face of Jesus right now. A while back I heard a song that pretty well describes what is going on in with him in Heaven right now. I only remember a few words but it said something like:
Sing the songs of Zion,
Shout the victory,
and march around the throne one time for me.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

Bro. Shaffer was a fine man of God. He was Apostolic to the core. I knew him well and have been to the church in Cincinnati. "Dad" Shaffer will be missed.

Were you at the church on McMicken or on Eastern Ave?
I've never been to the church on Eastern. I think it was called The Riverside Church of Jesus Christ.