Obituary – Delmar G. Birkey
Del Birkey: 1933-2009
Delmar Gene (Del) Birkey was born Feb 16, 1933 at Foosland, IL, son of Alvin and Amelia Birkey. He died May 13, 2009, at Central DuPage Hospital at the age of 76. Del attended a one-room country school, then Fisher High School, graduating with the class of 1951.
In June 1952, Del married his high school sweetheart, Donna Schrock, and the couple moved to Columbia, S.C., where they attended Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University). Del graduated in 1957, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education. While in Columbia, he served as pastor in several churches. He was ordained in 1955.
During the years 1962-1967, Del was part of the ministry of Youth Gospel Crusade, Westboro, WI. His particular specialty was youth meetings in churches using chalk drawings and magic object lessons. In addition, Del served as program director at Camp Forest Springs for several years.
Del earned a Master of Arts in Biblical Education (cum laude) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL in 1969. This was followed some years later with a Doctor of Ministry in 1986 from Bethany Theological Seminary, Lombard, IL.
Del served as minister at several churches in the western Chicago suburbs, but his most significant ministry was His Community Church—a house church that met for 15 years and was the culmination of his passion for renewal. Following that experience, he wrote a book published in 1988 titled, The House Church—A Model for Renewing the Church.
Another of his concerns was equality for women, especially within the church. In 2005, his book The Fall of Patriarchy—Its Broken Legacy Judged by Jesus & the Apostolic House Church Communities was published.
Del is survived by his wife, Donna; three children, Randal (Debbie), Cynthia, and Barry (Jenny). He also leaves thirteen wonderful grandchildren: Taylor (Laura), Noel, Marshall, and Kathryn Birkey; Ashley, Bethany, Ian, and Zachary Hernandez; Christy, Jenny, Katie, Jonathan, and Julie Birkey. Also surviving are four siblings: Carroll (Minerva) Birkey, Margaret Oyer, Floyd (Jean) Birkey, and Viola Stacey. He is also survived by Donna’s 97-year-old mother, Laura Mae Schrock.
The visitation and funeral will take place on Monday, May 18, 2009 at Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton, Illinois. Visitation begins at 3 PM. A memorial service will begin at 7 PM.
A burial service is planned for Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at East-Bend Mennonite Church Memorial Gardens, near Fisher, Illinois, beginning at 10:30 AM. – VIEW MAP
More Information
- Read Del Birkey’s Obituary – Hultgren Funeral Home
- Sign Del Birkey’s Guestbook – Hultgren Funeral Home
- Visit Del’s House Church Book website
- Read Champaign-Urbana News Gazette Obituary
- Read Bloomington Pantagraph Obituary
- The Schrock-Birkey Connection (Family History Info)
Memorial Gifts
Del was an avid supporter of both of these fine organizations. Memorial gifts may be directed to either:
Global Action
7660 Goddard Street
Suite 200
Colorado Springs CO 80920
www.global-act.org
or to
Christians for Biblical Equality
122 West Franklin Ave
Suite 218
Minneapolis MN 55404
www.cbeinternational.org
Please memo the gift in memory of Del Birkey.
You knew me as Peggy Gathman. My father just let me know of Del’s passing and I am saddened to hear of it. It is true that his life lives on both in the hereafter as well as within all of us who have been touched by his tenatious dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was because of his discipling of me that I first heard loud and clear God’s call for me to become a minister. Until Del, I was deaf to that call and excused my disobedience with my gender. Del taught me to listen to the gospel with my whole self and to push the boundaries where those boundaries were human-made, to look and listen always for the voice of the Holy Spirit. I hold you each in my prayer and shed my tears with you from afar.
Peggy! So great to hear from you, and to see your Dad today! What a pleasant surprise and a blessing! Thanks for your kind words and tears about Dad. We will miss him. Thanks also for sharing his impact in your life. Now we barely know how far that reach extended. Some day will will know perfectly. – Randy
Randy I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. I hope Monday is a special time when your friends and family are together and honor him.
Thank you Helen!
I knew your dad as a teacher at Christ Community Mennonite Church. He had a gift and a powerful intellect to match…I remember commenting to him after study that I felt like I was back in grad school at a seminar! He burned with passion for the gospel and the Mennonite way of worship/life…I saw him week before last at a funeral. We chatted, not knowing it would be our last mortal connection…You are all in our prayers as Del goes home…Peace
Michael… thank you so much!
Dear Randy and family–
I am very saddened to hear of the loss of your dad. Although I was only a teen at the time, I was very enriched by your parents’ ministry at Melrose Park Bible Church and appreciate greatly to this day the kindness your family expressed to me at that time in my life. You are all in my thoughts and prayers as you both grieve for the loss and celebrate your dad’s life and eternal life.
Eric – so good to hear from you! Thank you for your kind words and memories of Dad.
- Randy
I am heading out of town, I wish I could be there for your dad’s memorial service, however, Steve Tanner will be there and I send with him all of our love and support and prayers during this time. I did not know your dad, but after reading about him, I will look forward to meeting him someday! THAT is our joy and hope in sorrow thanks to God’s grace through His son. Cherish these hours that our focused on your dad, they lay the foundation for the years ahead without him, but with the benefit of having known him as you did.
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Randy,
I was quite jolted and so sorry to hear of your very unexpected loss. Thanks for sharing your reflections about Del on your blog–a fitting tribute. I always enjoyed our chances to share thoughts and views about Christ and his church. They weren’t always identical, but your father’s love, respect and faith always permeated our conversations. His openness to ongoing spiritual growth and understanding were obvious and inspiring.
Our family also feels enormous appreciation for the dedication and love he poured out for his sister, our mother. He was very dear to her; he encouraged her greatly.
Please pass along my sympathies to your mother and brother and sister.
Wishing you all peace in this time of difficult transition.
Gordon
Gordon,
Thanks so much or your kind words regarding Dad. Give our love to your Mom and your siblings.
Randy
Hi Randy:
Sorry about the loss of your father. I just learned about it and am sorry I missed the visitation and funeral. You did a great job of communicating the emotions involved with losing Del. I didn’t realize how great of a writer and communicator you are.
Best wishes!
Mike