OBITUARY
Dr. Lee D. Kinzer
April 11, 1932 – June 24, 2012
IN THE CARE OF
Myers Funeral Home
Dr. Lee D. Kinzer, 80 of Berne formerly of Markle and Upland passed away at 9:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at his residence. He was born on April 11, 1932 in Wildwood, Pennsylvania, a son of Walter R. and Ruth M. (Detrude) Kinzer. Dr. Kinzer was united in marriage to Dawn Shumaker on September 18, 1954 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
As co-founder of the Markle Medical Center, Dr. Kinzer honored his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through his 34 years of medical service to the communities of Markle, Warren and Bluffton. A loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, and loyal friend, Dr. Kinzer fervently walked this earth with one simple goal: to love God and to love people.
Survivors include his wife: Dawn Kinzer of Berne; his three sons: Mark (Jami) Kinzer of Saginaw, Michigan; Dr. Michael (Ellen) Kinzer of Fort Wayne; Matthew (Julie) Kinzer of Fort Wayne; his three daughters: Lea (Mike) Bergman of Noblesville; Laurel (Scott) Dean of Indianapolis; Lynne (Mike) Steiner of Leo; 19 grandchildren and four spouses; 1 great-grandchild; his two brothers: Ken (Terry) Kinzer and Chuck (Bobbi) Kinzer and two sisters: Ethel Jane (Dean) Weaver and Betty Lou (Russell) Miller.
Three siblings preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 29, 2012 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Myers Funeral Home Markle Chapel, 415 N. Lee Street, Markle, Indiana.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. with one hour of visitation prior to the service at the Markle United Methodist Church, 145 W. Morse Street, Markle, Indiana.
Memorials may be made out to Markle United Methodist Church Missions, Berne Evangelical Church Missions or to Lee and Dawn Kinzer Taylor University Endowed Scholarship all in care of Myers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 403, Markle, IN 46770.
"Playing in the Major League"
By Leroy D. Kinzer
Pittsburgh, Pa.
My philosophy of life was "get everything
you can with the least amount
of effort." Two years have now
passed since I became a Christian.
Looking back, I see a castle of sand
which crumbled at my feet, but in
its place I have reality, the Lord Jesus
Christ.
When I was fourteen years old my
one ambition was to play major
league baseball. For four years all
my energies and thoughts were di-
rected toward this goal. It is some-
times true if you want anything bad
enough you can have it. After playing
a season for five different teams
the great opportunity knocked at the
door. Among 192 young men I found
myself waiting for the big tryout.
Somehow I knew before I stepped on
the diamond that I would he chosen.
Five pitched balls was all it JOok.
The scout handed me the contract.
Five pitched balls and the world was
at my feet! Five pitched balls and
I started up the ladder of success!
The ambition of many an American
boy had become a reality. I was now
officially signed up with the st.
Louis Cardinals. Nights were spent
in dreaming of the day when my
name would be spread across the
front page of the sports section of
the newspapers.
Behind the scenes of my worldly
success God was working. God always
works when Christians pray.
There was a Christian sister and
brother who knew my heart' could
never rest until I found rest in Christ.
The last tournament game of the
season was being played. The score
was two to one in favor of the other
team. We needed at least two runs
to win the game. I was on third
base, and as the pitcher stretched for
his last effort-to win the game I ran
toward home with a sudden burst of
speed, trying to tie the score and to
be the hero of the tournament. As
I slid into home the accident occurred
and shattered my' ambitions.
My back was seriously injured,
though it was several weeks before I
would consent to an examination.
When the doctor finally examined
me and gave his diagnosis my world
fell apart. Seventeen days on my
back and wearing a bracefor a year
and a half were only part of the
story. The verdict was "No more
baseball." I became ·bitter and
cynical toward myself and my
friends. Why should success so
easily achieved be swept away in a
moment of time?
Now I know the answer. God in
His mercy and grace_was·takingfrom
me corruptible and worthless fame
to give me instead eternal life, peace
and joy. Christian young people began
to holcl,prayer meetings in my
home. Some of them gave me tracts
and literature to read. At first Iwas
belligerent, but finally I consented
to attend services at a Christian
camp. It was there that my stubborn,
willful, selfish heart was conquered
by Jesus Christ: On July 16, 1952, I
became a new creature in Christ. All
the vain things that once filled my
vision became meaningless. Now
there is only one goal before me-to
please and serve Christ.
"In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths. Be not
wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord,
and depart from evil" (PROV. 3:5,6).
It has been four years since my accident.
God has graciously restored
me to health again and the offer to
play in the major leagues still stands.
But now I'm on the Lord's side. More
thrilling than seeing one's name on
the spbrts page is to know that your
name is written in the Lamb's Book
of Life. My ambition now is to
serve Christ in the Major League.
My fiancee and I will soon be
married and we shall be entering
university to prepare for full-time
Christian service.
Activity Briefs
Batesville, Ark. Two youth camps
were held at Trail's End during July
under the leadership of Rev. and
Mrs. David' Carlson. Mrs. Carlson
taught the daily Bible lessons .and
Mrs. Helen Cedar represented
Ecuador, South America. Because
some public schools were in session
many young people were unable to
attend.
Sixteen boys and girls were registered
for the junior camp. Rev.
Chester Damron was evangelist and
Mrs. Damron gave daily object lessons.
Seven professed to be saved
during camp.
Nineteen young people were registered
for the senior camp which
followed. Mrs. George Hall was the
evangelist, and other speakers were
Miss Martha Borland and Rev.
George Hall. Three fellows and five
girls gave their hearts to the Lord.
It was a joy to note the interest
in the study and memorization of
the Word and the deepening in the
spiritual lives of the Christian young
people.
Los Angeles, Calif. The young peo-
'pIe of the West Washington Community
Church held a very successful
Youth Night on the evening of
July-25: "The Fourfold Gospel" ",'as
the theme chosen for the' service,
with a representative from each of
the four participating age groups
speaking on one of the topics.
Speakers were Evelyn McGinnis,
Bob Redmon, Bill Maize and Mrs.
L. Holland. Special music consisted
of solos and a girls quartet. A lively
song and testimony service was led
by Donna Rowell; the AYF president,
Chrissie Cormack, was chairman.
THE ALLIANCE ,"VEEKLY
See more
Show your support
Past Services
Friday,
June 29, 2012
Visitation
Friday,
June 29, 2012
Visitation
Saturday,
June 30, 2012
Thank You
We are reviewing your submission. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website
Dr. Lee D. Kinzer
Taking Care Of Yourself
Helping yourself at your time of loss
Taking care of others
Helping Others Endure Their Loss