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.