Christmas brings many memories of my childhood and teenage years spent under the guidance of John Small.  The "operattas" he directed in school were truly extravaganzas. His annual Christmas letter was always a special testament to his faith and love of Christ.  It is comforting to know he is spending his first Christmas in heaven reunited with his loved ones who went on before.  God bless all the Small and Yeadon families with best wishes for a Happy New Year.

With fond memories of fellowship together, and anticipation of seeing him again in the kingdom.

The fellowship at the Rock Bible Chapel is so blessed to have had John and his family minister in our area.  I wrote "is", because the ministry the Small family had is still going on.  The reason is their teaching, prayer, and daily testimony influenced so many people to continue on for the Lord.   How many lives John touched, we'll never know here on earth.  We do know we are all better people, stronger in our faith bcause John was in our life.  We missed John at our services, Sundays and the Wednesday night Bible studies.  It has been more than a year since John moved back west, but each week, at least one or two of the men will reflect on some point or thought John had shared that made an impact on their Christian walk.  
John was a great man of God.  I can still see him as I write this, up at the piano playing, singing, sharing and smiling while encouraging us in the Lord.  John was a great encourager for me.  He was a man that was always the same, a man we (I) could count on.  PTL

"We as a Family are going to truly miss "Dad", he was our steadfast example of the Lord. Even though Dad has passed on to Glory, his teachings, examples, Love and discipline will be forever remembered. I will truly miss all the talks that we used to have and the times we spent in the car going to his doctor appointments and to Bible Study..." Jeff and Faith Aalto(Escanaba Mi.)

We were sorry to hear about John but we know he is now at rest in the Lord.  He was our teacher friend and than also our NEXT DOOR neighbor when we were first married and living in Rock  Mi. (1959-1965)   Roman was also a Rock High School teacher like John.  Through out the years we saw each other but we all moved to different communities and thats the way life goes.  We have good memories of John and his wonderful family. Our best to all of the family. 

Sincerely Roman and Gayle Gill

I am so thankful for Mr. Small, my teacher and pastor in Rock.  He led me to the Lord when I was 9 years old, in 1952.  He was so genuine, kind, thoughtful and fun.  He drove many miles to pick us up to bring us to midweek activities  We would sing coming and going.  I remember when I was in 5th grade that he worked with me privately to help me be able to sing all the notes of "Deck the Halls" so that I could sing in the Christmas program.  When I was in high school, he helped me write a speech about Christ's Second Coming which I then gave to the class.  It will be great to visit with him again when I get there.  May God bless, you all, his family, as you continue to think of all the fond memories.  Your Dad and Mom had a great impact on my growing years for which I am ever grateful.
Mary Lou Armstrong, Colorado Springs, CO

Marilyn and boys:  I am so sorry to  hear about your Dad---"Mr. Small" as i always called him at school and at Family Bible Hour.So many wonderful memories up in Rock , all the trips on the "bus" , Vacation Bible School, Bible camp. He will always be a part of Rock, mi.  forever!  
                                  With sincere Sympathy,
                                                                     Janice (Maki) Sczytko
                                                                              Detroit , Mi.

I remember may happy memories of time with Mr. Small and his family at Upper Peninusla Bible Camp as a little girl.  So thankful for his many years of service and legacy for the Lord.  I am praying for his family as they learn to miss him with joy.  Karen (Bennett) Callahan

I first met John and Earlene even before they moved to Rock and he began teaching there. I had moved to Rock to live with my mother and started high school there in the fall of 1949. The month before I had attended a Bible camp sponsored by the American Sunday School Union where I heard the Gospel and accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. But through the Upper Peninsula Bible Camp in Little Lake there was a young people's work in the nearby communities and through that I met John and Earlene and was helped to grow in my new faith. As I attended camp at UPBC and came into fellowship with the small assembly in the area, my life was greatly blessed. Finally, in my senior year of high school, John became a member of the Rock school faculty, teaching 5th and 6th grades and music. During that year a friend and I attended and taught in the Sunday schools in Little Lake, the highway chapel near Turin, and in the evening in the town hall in Rock. It was a memorable year, and I have never known people more dedicated to serving the Lord and enjoying His presence in their lives than John and Earlene. After graduation I moved away from Rock but was able to keep in touch with the Smalls, and my husband, Roger, and I enjoyed their friendship and occasional visits. I knew Carol and Pat also and was pleased when John and Carol were married and he returned to the U.P. God has many choice servants but none more devoted to Him and His service than John Small.

I was saddened to hear about the passing of "Mr. Small"!  Here I am in my 60's, and still calling him Mr. Small!  He was my 5th and 6th grade teacher in Rock, MI and also my next door neighbor until we moved in 1963 to the lower peninsula.  I last saw him, probably 10 years ago, at one of those "famous" Rock reunions! It was there that I met his wife, Carol.  It was very nice to get a chance to talk to both of them.  My memories of "Mr. Small" are from the classroom - lots and lots of singing (who remembers Fooba, Wooba John?), making hundreds of ovals when practicing our penmanship, art projects connected to what we were studying, playing kickball with us on the playground and I do believe, he held the key to the candy machine that was in the hallway outside of his classroom!  Woe be it to those who tried to use it during classtime - he had great hearing!  He was a wonderful, caring man, teacher and neighbor.  I have so many fond memories of him!  Thank you, "Mr. Small" and may you keep your eye on all of us from your heavenly perch!

Chaplain Small served Living Care Community long before I arrived on the scene. As a full time chaplain in Hillcrest at Living Care, I was delighted to see him move into one of the apartments here, and it was an honor to talk with him in our little Chapel and to have him pray for me and the ministry here. I will long be inspired by his life story, his faith, and the prayer that he said for me that day, Friday, November 18, 2011.

Although, my husband and I are rejoicing in “Dad's” home-going, we know that we will also miss him deeply.  As a child I came to know the Lord through his and Earlene's ministry at the Rock Bible Chapel.   I remember so many choruses that were taught to us as children and I still sing the Books of the Bible whenever I'm looking for one of the Minor Prophets.  
As one of  “Dad's “ children from his marriage to Mom (Carol), both my husband and I were  blessed many times over as we spent time with him..   We remember with great fondness, the twinkle in his eye and his love of sharing a joke.  He had a great sense of humor, which we really enjoyed. We were also very blessed to be the recipients of his godly wisdom and to witness his love of the Scripture as he quoted many passages and could share a scripture that was appropriate to any given situation.  We know that he heard his Savior say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” as he stepped onto that heavenly shore.

Bev Swiontek

I am sorry about your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  I remember Chaplain Small as a very holy and spiritual man.  Chaplain Small is gone but not forgotten.

We are so thankful for John and all he meant in so many,many lives including ours. We have been praying for you all and will continue to do so as you adjust to life without Dad and we all wait for the day when there will be no more separations. Recently many of our family were together for a music praise time.  The comment was made just think we will all be at the marriage supper of the Lamb!!!

   John Small....my mentor, my hero!  "Uncle John" led me to the Lord early in my life when he came to the village of Rock to teach school and establish the Rock Bible Chapel.  His unending love of young people was his  driving force.  I loved my 5th & 6th grades - both years John was my teacher.  He found ways to send me and many others (FREE!) to U.P. Bible Camp for many summers.
     I do not know of many people who ever  embodied such a gentle spirit with such powerful teaching & preaching powers.  He truly was a powerful influence for good
through the Grace of God which he lived daily for 92 years.
     I could write a book about the years I spent with John and his loving wife Earlene and then Carol.  But I will close with a special memory.  John took us sledding on quiet country roads behind his van and one winter he drove a small bus on our way to ski in Marquette.  As we kids chattered and sang, he always joined in.  He must have been viewing us in the rear view mirror as we began heading for a snow filled ditch.  I clearly remember shouting "Mr. Small, Mr. Small!"
Too late...we slid into the ditch smoothly and nobody was injured.  John's only
response was to slam his hands into the steering wheel and mutter "Oh Nuts!"  (The strongest language I ever heard him use!)
      John....you are reunited in Heaven with Earlene (and Carol and Ben).  I am just beaming thinking of the welcome they and Jesus had waiting for you.  Bless you for eternity "Uncle John"!
     Al Salmi
     Rapid River, MI

OBITUARY

John Small

August 2, 1919 – November 28, 2011

Keith & Keith Funeral Home

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