James Edwin Wenger

COLUMBIA - James Edwin “Jim” Wenger died at home Thursday, August 11, 2011 after an extended illness. A memorial service will be Friday, August 19, 2011 at six o’clock in the evening at Cornerstone Church, PCA 5637 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212. The family will receive friends afterward in the Narthex of the church.

Jim was born in Lancaster, PA to Norman R. and Bertha B. Wenger. He attended Eastern Mennonite High School and College in Harrisonburg, VA and finished his undergraduate study in SC at Columbia Bible College. He earned a Master of Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary in TX and a Master of Education at The University of the Americas in Cholula, Mexico. A life-long learner, Jim completed his formal education with a Doctorate of Ministry from Western Seminary in Portland, OR. He worked in the field of Christian Education in the US and internationally. He lived 12 years in Costa Rica and Mexico as a missionary with CAM Int’l. A faithful member of Cornerstone Church, he served in the choir, as an elder, and as a teacher of adult classes.

An obedient follower of Jesus Christ, Jim invested in things eternal--the Word of God and people. On the faculty of Columbia International University in SC from 1979 to 1996, he helped establish an academic relationship between CIU and The Academy of World Missions in Korntal, Germany where students are prepared to serve around the world proclaiming the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. He finished his career with Campus Crusade for Christ working with university faculty.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Norman, and two sisters, Norma Charles and Laverne Trayner. He is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Anne Estes; a daughter, Mary Beth Wenger of Denver, CO, and three sons and their wives, Mark (Debbie), Eric (Jessica), of Columbia, and Alan (Amy) of Buena Vista, VA. He took great delight in his seven grandchildren, Ruthanne, Daniel, Abigail, Joanna, Emma, Jonathan and Elisabeth. He is also survived by two nieces, Debra Charles Martin (Dr. David) of Knoxville, TN and Julie Charles Acevedo (Miguel) of Dayton, OH, and a nephew, Jimmy Trayner of AZ.

The family wishes to express appreciation to Dr. William Butler and his oncology nurses, Dusty and Ann, of SCOA for their excellent care, and to Dr. Jose Chavez, who for three decades was Jim’s beloved family doctor. Special thanks to Jackie, Paula, Erica, Ann and Debbie of Tri-County Hospice for their superb help and kindness in the transition from life here to Eternal Life with God, Jim’s Heavenly Father.

Memorial gifts may be made to Justice and Mercy Ministry of Cornerstone Church, PCA, 5637 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212, or to the work of Bible Translation through Wycliffe Associates, PO Box 620143, Orlando, FL 32862.

ts under the direction of Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - St. Andrew's Chapel, Columbia, SC.