Michael Api and Monica Call

Michael and Monica Api, along with their families, are delighted to announce their recent marriage, which took place on March 23, 2025 in Portsmouth, Ohio with about 120 of their friends and family. They enjoyed a short honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tennessee before returning to start their life together in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Don and Linda Gelaude

Don and Linda Gelaude of Mesick, Michigan celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Feb. 27, 2025. They have been in God’s Church for most of their lives and know many brethren from most of the Michigan congregations. They enjoy going for long walks in the woods and gardening. Happy anniversary!

Cheri Weingartz (daughter)

Kenneth and Phyllis O’Bryan

Kenneth and Phyllis O’Bryan celebrated 70 years of marriage. The Cincinnati East congregation gathered to honor the example they have set over the years, presenting the couple with cake, roses and a gift card.

Phyllis: “Everybody asks Kenny what has made him have such a long, good marriage, and he always says ‘You’re right, I’m wrong, it’s my fault, I’m sorry.’”

Gary Antion: “Congratulations to both of you; 70 years is a long time to be together. We love the two of you and the reason I want to say something is because he was one of the first students to attend ABC in 2000, class of 1999 when we started it, to 2000, in January. Seven months they had to sit here . . . 
we experimented on them. They were faithful and diligent and they fitted in well with all the other students here. And they served.” They bought and refurbished houses for use by ABC students. Many brethren contributed to this project, providing items so they would be fully-furnished homes. “They also had many students stay in their own home, and they shared many, many meals with ABC students so that those ABC students could eat.” At the time ABC didn’t offer meals as part of the program, and many students would have sustained themselves on ramen noodles. “So I just really want to pay tribute to the two of them. They’ve been faithful and diligent. They’ve come and they’ve attended the events. They supported and they encouraged those who were at ABC and those in the Church. Thank you very much for so many years of service and [for setting the example of] a wonderful marriage of 70 years.”

Connie (their daughter): “I have to tell a story about dad and mom. In third grade, he sat behind her and he would pull her hair and cheat.” 

Kenny and Phyllis were high school sweethearts. They both made a good choice. 

Frederick Earle Barton

Frederick Earle Barton, 92, died on Jan. 25, 2025. He was born Sept. 26, 1932 to the late Harry and Ida Barton. Fred served in the Army for over 20 years until retiring as a Master Drill Sergeant. Fred loved the Lord and could always be found with his Bible in his hand. His service to God was evident through his many acts of grace and compassion to others throughout the community. He lived by James 1:27, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

After having his morning coffee, he would venture out to tend to his garden. He was a master gardener and even wrote a book to help others along the way with their own gardens. Fred has finished his race and is awaiting the last trumpet to sound for the resurrection of the firstfruits.

Heidi Braun shared “Fred Barton was like a Church grandfather to me. He always cared about the youth, helping with teaching teen Bible studies and leading nature walks for the youth on Sabbaths. He loved drinking coffee and dousing his food with Texas Pete. He could be counted on to support every Church activity, whether it be an outdoor adventure, a train ride or family game night. His service to those in need could be counted on; he often saw and filled a need before anyone else became aware of it.

“Fred liked to live off the land and had a wealth of knowledge about every type of plant. His gardening expertise guided my family many times as we ventured into the world of growing our own vegetables. Though he could name just about every plant, Fred kept naming simple when it came to pets. He had a dog named Dog and a cat named Cat. The only problem with this method arose when Cat gave birth to a litter of kittens, to whom he ended up giving other similar names like Kitty to tell them apart from Cat. Whenever anyone asked how he was doing, Fred would respond, emphatically, ‘Terrific!’ I will always remember him for his positive attitude and heart of service.”

In addition to his parents, Fred is preceded in death by his siblings, John Barton, Dorothy “Dot” Barton, Gordan Barton, Violet Barton, Louis Barton, Louise Barton, Edna Barton, Theodore “Teddy” Barton, Alfred Barton, Irene Barton, Betty Barton, and Grace Iris Barton; and his nephew, Robert. Fred is survived by his Christian family, David, Maria and Priscilla. 

Funeral services were held with full military honors at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 at Holland Funeral Service in Monroe, North Carolina. Mr. Barton was laid to rest at the Salisbury National Cemetery. The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staff of Novant Health Hospice for the care given to Frederick in his final days. Memorial contributions may be made to Novant Health Hospice at P.O. Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233-3549.