REV. DR. MARCUS J. BLAISING, 74, passed away at his home in Fishers, Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24, 2004. The Rev. Blaising is survived by his wife, Nona (with whom he celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary, June 26, 2004); three children, Jan Blaising and Steve Blaising, both of Indianapolis, and Anne Bidelman of Tampa, Fla., and their spouses; and a brother, Stanley Blaising of Indianapolis. The Blaisings have seven grandchildren: David and Katie, Megan and Nick, and Taylor, Erica and Charlie. The Rev. Blaising was a distinguished minister and active church leader in the United Methodist Church for more than 40 years. He served pastorates in Fort Wayne, from 1952 to 1964, First United Methodist Church in Noblesville, from 1964 to 1969, and Trinity United Methodist Church in Elkhart, from 1975 to 1986. Dr. Blaising was appointed Superintendent of 70 churches in the New Castle District, from 1969 to 1975, as well as Executive Assistant to the Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church (North and South Indiana Conferences) from 1986 until his retirement in 1994. Under his leadership, these congregations grew in spiritual depth and discipleship as well as stewardship and missional support. The Rev. Blaising was known for his lively sense of humor, spiritually enriching sermons, excellent administrative ability and compassionate pastoral care. The Rev. Blaising held a variety of leadership positions in the United Methodist Church in Indiana as well as nationwide. He was Chairman of the Bishop's Cabinet in 1974, elected as a delegate to his denomination's General and Jurisdictional Conferences four times, and was a candidate for the episcopacy in 1992. The Rev. Blaising was the Chairman of the denomination's General Council on Finance and Administration and served on the General Board of Pensions, leading the committee that introduced computer technology to the largest church pension fund in the nation. As a pastor, the Rev. Blaising tirelessly promoted work in missions, particularly in Africa and South America. His congregation in Elkhart was the largest contributor to denominational missions in the nine-state North Central Jurisdictional Conference. He led preaching missions to Mexico, Chile and England, and was co-founder of Operation Classroom, an outreach program designed to provide educational supplies and to establish new schools in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The Rev. Blaising also worked as a financial consultant to Indiana churches, conducting nearly 250 annual fund and capital campaigns, in which he helped raise more than $45 million. The Rev. Blaising served on the Board of Directors of Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for eight years and was a founding member of the Board of Directors of Clarian Health. During his ministry, he also served as a member of the Board at Elkhart General Hospital, Wesley Foundation at Ball State University, Bashor Children's Home, Wesley Manor, Franklin Community Methodist Home, and the Samaritan Center. A graduate of Albion College and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., he was named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by Garrett-Evangelical at its commencement exercises, May 14, 2004. The Rev. Blaising engaged in post-graduate theological studies at Yale University Divinity School as well as at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and served as adjunct professor of church administration at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. The Rev. Blaising was awarded the Doctor of Divinity degree from DePauw University as well as from University of Indianapolis, where he served on the Board of Trustees for 12 years. A worship service celebrating the life and ministry of Mark Blaising is 11 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St. in Noblesville. Pastor Jack Wolfe is officiating. Visitation with the family is one hour prior to service at the church's Whitcomb Chapel. Visitation for family and friends is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Randall & Roberts Funeral Home, 1150 Logan St. in Noblesville.

Burial at Odd Fellows Cemetery, New Haven. Memorial contributions can be made to the Marcus J. and Naomi Louise Blaising Scholarship Fund at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201, or to the Oaks Academy, 2301 North Park Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46205.

October 26, 2004 | News-Sentinel, The (Fort Wayne, IN)
Page: 2L | Section: LOCAL SECTION