Rev. Kenneth Masterman
Rev. Kenneth Masterman
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Kenneth Masterman Obituary
Rev. Kenneth Gordon Masterman of Denton, Md., formerly of Waynesboro, Va., died on Sunday, October 10, 2004 in Memorial Hospital, Easton, Md. He was 84. Born March 12, 1920 in Haverhill, Mass., he was the son of the late George Henry Edward and Eva Brooks Masterman. He was a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Va. Throughout his life, he worked as an assistant pastor, minister of music for many churches; professor of music for the former Eastern Pilgrim College, Allentown; admissions representative for Eastern Mennonite University; music director for Interchurch Evangelism, Harrisonburg, and most recently, minister of music for Faith Evangelical Free Church, Wescosville, and admissions representative for Houghton (N.Y.) College. An ordained minister of the Church of The Nazarene, he was a member of the Birdsboro Church of The Nazarene. Survivors: Rev. Masterman is survived by his wife, the former Elizabeth Boel, whom he married April 18, 1942 in Albany, N.Y.; daughters, Saundra J. Griffin and her husband, Rev. David Griffin, of Easton and Sharon E. Chappell and her husband, Rev. James Chappell, of Stuarts Draft, Va.; sister, Marjorie B. George in Florida; grandchildren, Kenneth J. Griffin, Kevin J. Griffin, David J. Chappell and Elizabeth S. Livengood; a great-grandson, Corey J. Griffin. Two great-grandchildren are due in October and November of this year. Services: will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 16, 2004, First Wesleyan Church, Easton, Md., where friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Friday evening. Burial will be in Oxford (Md.) Cemetery. Arrangements are by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton, Md. Contributions: Memorial donations may be made to White Hill Church of The Brethren, 749 Old White Hill Road, Stuarts Draft, Va. 24477.
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Elizabeth Chappell Livengood
June 1, 2005
From: [email protected]
Date: 10/11/04 15:21:43
To: [email protected]
Subject: A Tribute to Grandpa
Ken Masterman has been many things to so many people. Over the years I've heard stories of the places he'd been and the precious people he had met. Even from a very young age I understood that was something very special. I had the opportunity to go to some camp meetings when I was a child. I was able to experience who he was and why he and Grandma traveled so much. I knew the importance of the Light the he carried from state to state and all over the world for Christ. I discovered the meaning behind his accomplishments. It was about the people he had touched but most importantly the life he led in Christ's honor.
I was the only Granddaughter and the youngest.
Grandpa always made me feel very special. I loved it when he called me "sweet stuff" or "sweetums". He was a very genuine and loving man.
Grandpa loved hugs and kisses, he'd take all he could get. Grandpa always had a way of making you feel like he loved you the most.
Even in recent years he always made sure he got me a special Easter basket, from him to me.
I'll never forget when I was very young, asking him about his Indian background, wanting to know how Indian he was. Then I asked if I had any Indian in me, he replied "about a teaspoon". I'll never forget that.
As to the things Grandpa loved to do, there were so many. I remember one of Grandpa's favorite things to do was eat. He truly appreciated
the art of food (eating it]. Especially mashed potatoes at Christmas time. My mother always put extra butter and pepper in it, just for Grandpa. He also loved cook-outs on the deck by the pool he always worked so hard to clean.
He loved to watch and play sports. He was always so impressive to me. He played touch football in the backyard with all of us up until his mid-70's. He was a great sportsman.
He was also quite the golfer. I believe he found much peace on the golf course.
I always found it intriguing, the care he took with his yard . He always
made his lawn look like a golf course. It always looked perfect.
As to how much I loved my Grandfather I will never be able to describe
completely. I will love him and be thankful for the privilege of knowing him, and for our special relationship between Grandfather and granddaughter. I feel blessed he was such a tremendous part of my life.
At this very moment, I am preparing to have a little boy. I can only hope and pray that our little one Jacob Andrew will have as much of an impact on others, and a heart for Christ that my Grandpa did. I pray that we will be able to pass on the legacy of love, and a life served for Christ that Grandpa taught us through his life here on earth. My Grandpa dedicated me to Christ when I was an infant, and now I dedicate his life to glory of my Lord Jesus Christ.
Grandpa, I imagine today that you are running through the streets of heaven declaring his majesty, and singing like you've never sung before.
What a gift, to live a life for Christ, and to finally see his face.
I Love you Grandpa,
Elizabeth
.
Dennis
December 8, 2004
Betty is now with you Ken. You always were a team and on November 26, 2004 she joined you in the presence of Jesus. What a wonderful sister she was to me. Then to watch both Betty and you model what it means to be true followers of Jesus Christ had a great impact on so many, many people. Your love for Jesus, your love for one another and the intense energy you both gave to serve the Lord Jesus leaves for me and our family a tremendous Christian heritage. Now you, Betty, Nannie and Pop and so many others of our family and Christian friends are with Jesus. We will miss you but soon we will be together again in the place Jesus said He has prepared for those who love Him. It is not "good-bye to you", Ken and Betty, but "I will see you in the morning." Love you both ever so much.
Betty's "Baby Brother",
Orville Bellerose
December 1, 2004
How proud we were to be related to Uncle Ken. Memories of trudging off to our sandlot baseball field, hoping that he would be chosen for "our team". Waiting for hours for his arrival on the front steps of our old home, in Haverhill, MA. knowing that when he and Aunt Betty arrived we would join in a celebration. We talked before he gave a eulogy for my Dad when he passed, and we talked before he remarried his sister in my home in 1978. He had an ability to make everyone feel important and good about themselves, but to us, he was always 8 feet tall. We played golf together and enjoyed bowling, but those prescious moments alone when we talked until the wee hours of the morning were perhaps the most cherrished. When I listened to Kevin, Ken, Dave, and Dennis (and others) eulogize him it brought back those wonderful times that he later enjoyed with his grandchildren. We too rubbed his head, back, and feet! What a wonderful life and what a gift to have known him and my Aunt Betty. They'll not be forgotten and continue to be a part of who we are.
Bob
Eugene Witmer
November 30, 2004
My first introduction to Ken and Betty must have been about 1958, soon after I started directing the preparation for Inter-Church Crusades with Dr. Myron Augsburger. We needed to line up musicians for the Lehigh Valley Crusade in Allentown, PA.....so, where to meet and get acquainted? Walp's Restaurant of course! Ken and Betty impressed me the way the Rev. Walter Frank predicted, and I was happy to report the "find" to Dr. Augsburger. They became part of our team in many venues across the country. Anne and I thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of spending some of the best years of our lives with Ken and Betty, along with Myron and Esther Augsburger, as our children were growing up. Saundra and Sharon were an added blessing, being both proud of and devoted to their talented parents. We thank God for bringing Ken and Betty into our lives.
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Marylin High
November 29, 2004
My life has been so blessed by these two wonderful people, Ken & Betty. My whole family has been impacked with there love & devotion to the Lord. My husband Gene sang duets with him over the years, we traveled many wonderful places and had experiences I will never forget, happy, funny and so blessed. What wonderful memories I will always have of our great times together.
My Love to the whole family,
Susan Newton
November 16, 2004
When I think of Ken Masterman, I see his beautiful smile. I think of his soft spoken voice when he talked to you . And , his beautiful voice when he sang at church would always bring tears to my eyes.
He is a beautiful man inside and out .
He is now singing his praises and looking out for us in Heaven.
I love you Ken.
Martha (Gunsalus) Chamberlain
November 15, 2004
Believing that we are "spirit" as well as body, I believe that we will continue to experience your spirit-presence, cheering us on as one who has joined that "great crowd of witnesses!" Every year--for who knows how many years--I listened to your voice extol the God we serve (in such hymns as "How Great Thou Art.") Thank you for filling us with song. We'll stand by Betty until that rendezvous that boggles the imagination!
May God keep us faithful until we meet again. With love that never ends, dear friend, Martha
David Bellerose
November 14, 2004
Ken, I'll always be grateful for having been blessed in having you as an uncle and a friend. I remember a specific time when I was maybe 6 you came to Haverhill to visit our family for a few days and when you were leaving I heartbrokenly hid because I didn't want anyone to see me crying. Although we didn't spend much time together over the years the times we were together had a profound impact on my life. A turning point for me was when you pulled me aside to pray for me before I got saved and how you took me under your wing in Virginia. I'll miss your loving, concerned yet unjudgemental eyes. If there is one chararteristic of your life that exemplifies who you are it is your gift for edification and how you just love people. I always felt I was your favorite nephew and I'm sure my brothers felt the same way. I never spent a moment with you that I didn't feel better about myself. Simply speaking you revealed Christ to me.
Thanks so much,
Dave
Den
November 14, 2004
To Ken, my brother-in-law and wonderful friend: All the happy memories I have of you and Betty have been rushing through my mind for some weeks. I am very proud to call you my brother-in-law but you were more than that. You and my sister, Betty, have modeled for me what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ. You were my second parents in so many ways. Thanks for your examples to a small boy, then a teenager, later a college student and seminarian who became a man called by the same Jesus you have served throughout your life (lives -Ken and Betty). So much of that process and the response in my heart was due to your examples and the enthusiastic manner in which you together served Jesus. I am sincerely gratefully for your love expressed to me so many, many times through the years.
I am remembering the trips to Haverhill where I enjoyed the ballgames with your nephews (wow-what great times we had); that backboard and first basketball hoop I had you placed on the old garage in Hampton Manor...you built it well, Ken. Some years ago when I traveled by the house and garage where I grew up as a young boy, the garage was it appeared to be ready to cave in but that backboard was still in that place where you placed it.
My first ride on a jet airplane was with you and Betty to Detroit. What a thrilling experience for me to travel with you both. Then the time Alice and I with you and Betty flew on the DC-3 airplane to Pittsburgh with Myron and Esther for that noon meeting where Myron spoke at the Presbyterian Church...then back the same day. What a great experience.
Those Chapel Singers' Choir Tours were such inspirational times. Dave kept the records for Bill, our special bus driver.
Precious memories. The two nieces (really like my sisters) you brought into my life and the great times we had as a family along with Nannie and Pop (Momma and Poppa were Betty's warm titles for our parents). I don't think I ever told you how empty the house became when you, Betty and those wonderful daughters of yours left our house in Hampton Manor after some days with us.
Someday, Ken, we will be together again with the Jesus we have served. What a time of rejoicing for our family. Until then, I say not "Good-bye" but
"See you in the morning, Ken!" Love you always,
Marty Shafer
November 12, 2004
Ron and I knew Ken and Betty for only a short time, but we felt as though we had known them all of our lives. We only met them after Ken had already suffered a stroke and was in the Augusta Nursing Home. Ron's mom is also a patient in the nursing home and we used to visit him when we would visit my mother-in-law. Sometimes we would take her with us to Ken's room for a visit. What a wonderful man - he was so up-lifting to everyone who had the privilege to meet him. He up-lifted the other patients, the nurses, the staff, and all who would stop by his room to visit. The Spirit of the Lord just radiated from him. We also have the privilege of being members of the White Hill Church of the Brethren, where his wonderful daughter, Sharon, is our choir director and his son-in-law, Jim Chappell is our minister. Ken was able to come to church for a while right after we joined the church and he was so sweet. Ron does sing some solos and he and I sing duets and Ken would always tell us how pretty we sang - what a compliment coming from such a master in the music field. What a voice he had and one day we will get to sing with "you", Ken, in that heavenly choir. Praise God for allowing this wonderful man and his lovely wife to be a part of our lives, even if it was for a short time. We Love You.
Ron and Marty Shafer
Cyndi Smiley
November 12, 2004
Ken;
There will never be another person alive that can sing "Oh Holy Night" the way that you can. I certainly will never hear it the same again anyway. You should know how I feel about you and Betty. (I will also never hear a piano or organ without thinking of Betty's unbelievable talent. "Jacob's Ladder" will never be the same without her fingers on the piano keys.) I love you like the family you are. I've not heard Daddy (Lane Thomas) call many men a "best friend", but you were indeed that to him, and more, and for that you will always have my heart. I know you're singing, and dancing even, with the King of Kings. Hallelujah! See you soon!
Kathleen Berg Spencer
November 12, 2004
When I think of Ken I hear him telling story after story of the goodness of God in his and Betty's lives. He was truly in love with Jesus.
I never heard him say anything negative about anybody, but heard him offer grace many, many times in sharing about all the positive things in knew about other people and how wonderful each person was. From watching his life I have prayed that God would fill me with that kind of love and grace for every person I know and the ones I haven't met yet.
Ken and my Mom, Emeline, grew up together in the Haverhill Nazarene Church. She loved to tell us about how shy he was as a young teenager and how he had to be prodded to get up in front of everyone and sing. Hard to imagine!
What a legacy you have left us, Ken!
Thank you for making our world such a special place to live in.
See you over there!
Kathleen
Ken & Faye Zeigler
November 12, 2004
It's hard not to speak of both of them at the same time, for they were a perfect pair. Always together! We have many precious memories of them. Ken full of fun and laughter along with his spiritual gifts and his caring for people. His singing voice will be heard in our memory forever.
One day we'll join him for that angelic choir.
Love, Ken and Faye
Pat Cash
November 11, 2004
I will always be thankful to God for the few short years that Ken and Betty were a part of my life. God always directs us to the place where there are those who will draw us closer to Himself. Ken, for the inspiration you were to me, I praise God. One day we'll again sing in the same choir.
Dottie Kirtz
November 11, 2004
It seems as though I've known Ken and Betty most of my life. My earliest recollection of them is at a campmeeting where Rev. Augsberger was the evangelist and Ken and Betty were in charge of the music. What a blessing they were to a young teen-ager who was so touched by their inspired talents. Then later in life I was blessed again to be a member of their daughter, Sharon and son in law Jim Chappell's church, in Stuarts Draft, Va., and to feel God's presence again in Ken and Betty's music and their love. I'll always remember Ken's "bear hugs". Till we meet again, Ken and Betty.
Dottie
Gordon High
November 11, 2004
I am honored to be part of the legacy left by Kenneth Gordon Masterman. Uncle Ken and Aunt Betty were a very special part of my Mom and Dad's life to the tune of naming their last child after Uncle Ken. Sitting in camp meetings, to taking long car trips or even being babysat by Saundra & Sharon my memories are full of wonderful times. I'll never forget the first time Uncle Ken took me over to the Saucon Valley Country Club and bought me my first tennis racket just so he could have someone to play with. I also owe my love of mowing grass to Aunt Betty for allowing me to ride her red riding mower whenever the grass got too high. My favorite memory was a camp meeting where right in the middle of the service a little old man sitting on the front row yeld out "Bless 'em Lord, Bless 'em real good!" Aunt Betty just burst out laughing. Every time I reminded Aunt Betty of this she laughed until she cried, aren't we glad memories last forever. With all my love, Gordon High. P.s. I wish I could hear Uncle Ken and Dad singing together again. I guess that's something to look forward to Heaven for.
Debbie Prater
November 11, 2004
What a joy to have had Ken as a part of my life. Quite a unique man and I am honored to call him my friend. We shared many "snacks" during Church services at White Hill (I think he just wanted those cookies and juice-he wasn't worried about the sugar level dropping-ha!). I was honored to be able to sit with him and "maintain his sugar level", as he called it. Ken was a man that when he said "I Love You" that you knew they were sincere words and not just words. I will especially miss you on Thanksgiving, Christmas and the opening day of Bible School when I always made a point of talking with him - but I know that he will hear when I whisper "Ken, how are you and I love you" and he will reply :
"Hi, how's my girl and I love you too". I thank God for bringing Ken and Betty to Virginia and letting them be a part of my life.
Verna Mc Culley Stoddard
November 11, 2004
I have many memories of Ken and Betty Masterman that go way back to the Pilgrim Church on Frederick Street in Binghamton. All of them very good. I particularly remember little Saundra and wheeling her in her baby carriage. Precious People , Precious memories...Thank God for them!!
Kenneth & Betty Masterman, June 19, 1948
Rose Dillenbeck
November 9, 2004
My memories of Kenneth & Betty Masterman go back to the 1940's when I was growing up in a small Pilgrim Holiness Church in Johnson City, NY. Kenneth was a powerful soloist and choir director. The choir sang on a local radio station on Sunday Mornings. Betty accompanied the choir on the organ.
The Spirit of the Lord filled that little church on the corner when Ken & Betty praised God with music.
This photo was taken on June 19, 1948 at the wedding reception of Vivian (Snitchler) & Robert Rinebold. Vivian went to be with her Savior 5 years later at the age of 25. She loved music and she loved Ken & Betty.
From Rose (Snitchler) Dillenbeck
elizabeth schaarschmidt
November 7, 2004
Ken - your classes were a spiritual smorgasbord at UWC. We learned about music, life and the Lord. How blessed we were to feast on your inspirational classes. Your lessons live on!
Betty - what a joy, an inspiration and wonderful piano teacher you were to me at UWC.I was an adult beginner student and you taught me so much more than notes and keys.
My husband graduated and I attended UWC in the 80's. We loved your music in chapel, the choir, the worship...
Betty, please accept our deepest sympathy. May God hold you in the hollow of his hand. We will always hold your memory dear to our hearts.
Rev. Allen and Elizabeth Schaarschmidt
Blessed Hope Church of the Nazarene
Phillipsburg, NJ
Connie Challingsworth
October 16, 2004
I am very blessed to have had the privilege of being one of your "Chapel Singers" at Eastern Pilgrim College. After 37 years, I still have fond memories of the choir tour and your magnificent voice singing "How Great Thou Art"!!
Kenneth Gorton
October 14, 2004
You have left a legacy that has contributed to the spiritual well being of others. I am honored and humbled to have been named after you, since my dad, Don found the Lord thru your ministry. Your music lives on and Heaven's choir has a gifted voice. God bless, Ken
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