Beulah Hackman Derstine

Beulah Hackman Derstine, 86, wife of Gerald G. Derstine, went to her heavenly reward on Mar. 12, 2016. The Derstines had celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary June 25th, 2015. Born Oct. 19, 1929, in Souderton, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Levi M. and Lizzie (Brunner) Hackman. Beulah was a homemaker and devoted wife and mother, who traveled around the world in ministry with her husband, the founder in 1964 of Strawberry Lake Christian Retreat in northern Minnesota. In the 1950s they had served there as missionaries on the White Earth Indian Reservation. The Derstines in 1968 also founded and directed Christian Retreat Conference Center on the Manatee River in east Bradenton. A humble woman of deep faith, Beulah loved to sing, do gardening and bake her family's favorite pies, but her greatest joy was serving the Lord, her family and those around her. From a young pastor's wife to co-leader of the worldwide Gospel Crusade ministry, Beulah always placed the needs of others before herself, exemplifying the Proverbs 31 woman. She was dearly loved by her husband, family and multitudes of people throughout the world and will be greatly missed. Surviving in addition to her husband are four children, Joanne Curphey and her husband, Bill, of Bradenton, Philip Derstine, and his wife, Jannette, of Bradenton, Timothy Derstine and his wife, Beverly, of Jacksonville, and Stephen Derstine and his wife, Brynn, of Jacksonville; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Charles Hackman of Souderton. She was preceded in death by five siblings, Esther Gehman, Dorothy Derstine, Catherine Gross, Levi Hackman and Betty Clemmer. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her celebration of life on Sunday, Mar. 20, 2016, at 4 PM at Christian Retreat, 1200 Glory Way Blvd., Bradenton, Florida. Family will receive friends for the viewing between 3 and 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Strawberry Lake Christian Retreat, 1200 Glory Way Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34212.