Alvin Gage Obituary

PEORIA - The Rev. Alvin Forest Gage, 90, of Peoria passed away at 9:25 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, at Proctor Endowment Home in Peoria.

The Rev. Gage was born Aug. 18, 1918, in East Orange, N.J., a son of John and Elizabeth Riker Gage. He married Mary Martha Root on June 18, 1949, in Nottingham, Pa.

He graduated from the Moody Bible Institute in 1943 with a Missionary Diploma and also graduated from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Theology Degree (ThB) in 1950. He was ordained on June 24, 1951, by the First Baptist Church of Berlin, Wis.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years; one son, David Gage of Willow Springs, Ill.; one daughter, Darlene (Bill) Bultemeier of Princeville; two brothers, Chandler Gage of Clifton, N.J., and Richard (Margie) Gage of Salisbury, Md.; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Gage served as a minister for 40 years.

He pastored the First Baptist Church of Berlin, Wis. (1950-1953), Prospect Heights Baptist Church of Prospect Heights, Ill. (1953-1955), First Baptist Church of Morrisville, Pa., (1956-70) and Bethany Baptist Church of Peoria (1970-1985). He was also interim pastor for Grace Baptist Church of Ottawa, Ill. (1985-1986) and Grace Baptist Church of Mahomet, Ill. (1986). He was past president of Greater Peoria Evangelical and Ministerial Association, and Conservative Baptist Association of Illinois. He was past secretary of Philadelphia Conservative Baptist Association.

He was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at The Wilton Mortuary in Peoria. The Rev. Bob Donaldson will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.

Memorials may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church or Bethany Baptist Church, both in Peoria.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Peoria Journal Star on Jan. 20, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Alvin Gage

11 Entries

Tom Pfeiffer

January 24, 2009

As a young boy in Morrisville, I was amazed to see a pastor playing the trombone in church! My sympathies to his family.

Jim pfeiffer

January 24, 2009

Pastor Gage was our pastor when we moved to Morrisville in the 60s. A kind man who brought laughter to his ministry. My sympathies to his family.

Gary & Candie Chiaravalle

January 24, 2009

Hi Mary,
Gary, I and my Mom are ever so grateful to the Lord for knowing such a precious couple as you and Pastor Gage. We know that Al is grinning from ear to ear in the presence of the Lord. We will miss him dearly. We love you both:)
Gary, Candie and Arlene

Doug & Suzanne Dietrich

January 23, 2009

Hi Mary

We were saddened to hear of Alvin's passing, but excited for him to be in the presence of the Lord. Many years ago when our son Brian died we had great sorrow but when we realized he was in heaven there was great joy in our hearts that has been an everlasting comfort. May you know that everlasting comfort that only God can bring as you think about Alvin's current residence.

Please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts at this time.

Suzanne & Doug Dietrich

Ann Wilson

January 21, 2009

I remember as a little girl going to Bethany for Sunday School and attending the one year celebration for Pastor Gage being at our church. Bethany was truly blessed to have such a true man of God lead us for so many years. when Andy and I was in our early 20's, Pastor Gage baptised both of us. His words and passion for knowing Christ and sharing this with us every Sunday brought us to this decision of following God.Being married so young Andy & I had very rough times and there is no doubt in my mind that Pastor Gage saved our marriage. Because of his caring and never giving up on us, we can say that we will be married 30 years this year in part because of him.There is no way that I could ever express in words my appreciation for Pastor Gage and his caring and love that he expressed to us and the rest of the Bethany family. I am sorry that I did not have the chance to share with him one last time my love and appreciation for him and the fact that God brought him into our lives at Bethany.

Tom and Shirley Wriedt

January 20, 2009

The world has lost a great man of God, as now he has been promoted to heaven. He has left a great legacy as a pastor and a healer. It is left up to us to remember him and to follow his example. The time will come when we too will join him in the heavenly realm. We pray God's comfort for Mary and family in this time of sorrow. We pray Psalm 46 will be your strength and comfort.

Tom and Shirley Wriedt
Grand Rapids, MI

Cassie Sorenson

January 20, 2009

So many memories of my childhood pastor! Pastor playing his trombone during the singning, my baptism where he read a verse about a princess, David teaching me to play a guitar, etc.. you will all be in my prayers!

Judy Menth

January 20, 2009

Darlene and family,
So sorry to hear about Rev Gage. He and your family were always in my thoughts. My prayers are with you all.

Rod Simpson

January 20, 2009

Darlene and family of Rev. Gage,
"Though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes in the morning." I pray for God's comforting in this time of earthly sorrow and rejoice with you that the Godly man who was father, husband, friend, and Christian leader is now whole and with his Lord and savior. I can hear God saying "Well done my good and faithful servant". God bless

Rod Simpson

Denver and Sharon Green

January 20, 2009

Would send a card but don't know your address. Rev. and Mrs. Gage have always been so encouraging and caring. Now that we are in WI we no longer know who is where but appreciate all you have meant to us in the past.
I am listening to Denver's niece's husband in giving a sermon and he is planning to go to college and seminary in the states when they return from Japan. He is in the navy and she is there with him. To God be the glory for Al's life and ministry.

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