We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Melvin Brady, father-in-law of retired GCI vice-president Mike Feazell and father of Mike’s wife Victoria Feazell. In reflecting on Mel’s passing, Mike made these comments:
Despite life’s sometime painful twists and turns, I never heard Mel speak bitterly, angrily or cruelly about anyone. He chose to live a life of believing the best and hoping for the best. If you looked for Mel, you’d most likely find him lending someone a helping hand, or coming or going from doing so. After the death of Victoria’s mom, Barbara, Mel was richly blessed to meet the former Amy Miller and share the next 19 joyous years with her at his side. Amy is a strong and capable woman and is surrounded by a large and loving family as she travels this rocky and winding road of grief. Victoria and I are so grateful for the happiness she brought Mel for so many years.
Cards may be sent to Victoria and Mike at this address:
Mike and Victoria Feazell c/o Grace Communion International P.O. Box 5005 Glendora, CA 91740-0730
Retired GCI-Canada pastor George Patrickson sent in this prayer request for his wife Luann:
Recently, we received some very sobering news. Luann was experiencing pain in her back, which the family doctor thought might be a urinary tract infection. When tests showed that this was not the cause of the pain, the thought was that it might be a kidney stone. Unfortunately, the cat-scan revealed it to be something more sinister. She spent a couple of days in the hospital and after numerous tests they confirmed that she has pancreatic cancer. We have seen the oncologist twice and she will be starting chemotherapy soon. As you can imagine, this has been quite a shock to the family and we would appreciate the prayers of the church for her and our family.
Cards may be sent to:
George and Luann Patrickson 1936 Hyannic Drive North Vancouver, BC V7H 2E4 CANADA
Here is a prayer request from GCI-Colombia pastor Sonia Orozco:
Please join my family and congregation in praying for my brother-in-law Anibal Villalobos. He has been diagnosed with rectal cancer. The recommended treatment includes removing part of the colon, chemotherapy and radiation, but Anibal does not want to subject himself to this treatment. His wife (my sister) works with me, directing our school when I travel. All this presents a serious challenge to Anibal, our family and congregation. Please pray for us.
We were saddened to learn that John Halford has died. Here is an announcement and words of tribute and thanks from John’s daughter, Becki Halford Brown:
Tonight [Tuesday, October 21], one last time, we kissed our dad and told him we love him. He died peacefully in his sleep at 6:45pm. He was a wonderful teacher, caring mentor, humorous writer and loving husband, father, brother and pop-pop. His love for the underdog was unwavering and he saw potential in people and places that others didn’t.
Thanks to so many friends from around the world that have expressed their concern and offered prayers and thoughts for dad and our family. We appreciate that you have shared this journey with us. We’ll miss you, Dad and look forward to seeing you again!
Please pray for John’s family (pictured below), including his wife Pat (standing next to John).
Cards may be sent to:
Pat Halford 5836 South State Road 129 Versailles, IN 47042
Here is information about memorial services and remembrances for John:
On Friday, October 24, from 5-8L00pm, there will be visiting hours at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home. 1114 South Ripley Estates Drive, Versailles, IN. That will be followed at 8:00pm with a special service conducted by the Versailles Lion’s Club.
On Saturday, October 25, there will be a visiting hour from 10-11:00 am at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 5869 S. State Rd 129, Versailles, IN. That will be followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, the Versailles Lion’s Club or to a charitable fund that has been established to aid families in Haiti (checks can be mailed to CFC-Haiti, P.O. BOX 13609 Hamilton, OH 45013). All three were very close to John’s heart.
Embedded below is a GCI video produced before John’s battle with cancer. It tells John’s story and nicely expresses his approach to life. John will be missed but not forgotten.
In July, prayer was requested for Charles (Chuck) Shelton, elder in GCI’s London, Kentucky church. Chuck recently sent in the following praise report:
Thanks to all of you for your prayers and cards. It’s good to know others really care. I had a PET scan recently and the results were good—the cancer in the two lymph nodes under both armpits is gone and the cancer in my abdomen is reduced to almost nothing! The doctors say it looks like the cancer is going into remission once again. As a result, I will not have to go through chemotherapy. They will do another scan in January, just to keep an eye on things. I thank God for his mercy and for all of you. To God be the glory!
Cards may be sent to:
Charles & Gracie Shelton 2674 Climax Rd. Orlando, KY 40460-8939
As WeeklyUpdate readers know, it was determined that John has multiple cancerous tumors in his body. He recently underwent chemotherapy to combat the cancer, but his doctors have determined that there is no more they can do to help him. John will be leaving the hospital today to return home where he’ll be receiving hospice care.
Please pray for John and his family, placing them in God’s loving hands on this final part of what has been a long and often difficult journey. It appears that John’s entrance into his eternal home is at hand.
Cards may be sent to:
John & Pat Halford 5836 South State Road 129 Versailles, IN 47042
Joseph Tkach (center) and Rick Shallenberger (right) were visiting with John (left) when he and his family received the good news.
Several cancerous tumors appeared recently in John’s body. The initial diagnosis was that the original cancer had spread through the lymph system and was untreatable. The doctors said John likely had less than a month to live. It was a very distressing situation.
However, through events clearly directed by God (“divine appointments” is what his family called them), John was re-evaluated and early this week given wonderful good news—for some “unexplained reason” (from the doctors’ perspective) the original diagnosis was wrong—the tumors are not related to the original cancer. Instead they are what are called “germ cell tumors,” a type of cancer that can be readily cured using chemotherapy.
John is being moved to a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky where he will begin chemotherapy later this week. The doctors are optimistic that he’ll recover fully, despite his present weakened state. We praise God for this good news and remain cautiously optimistic.
John’s family says words cannot convey their appreciation for your prayers, love and support. Please continue to keep John and his family in your prayers as John begins this new round of chemotherapy.
Cards may be sent to:
John & Pat Halford 5836 South State Road 129 Versailles, IN 47042
We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Saundra Nichols, wife of Phil Nichols who pastors the GCI congregation that meets in Monroeville, Alabama. Saundra had been sick with the flu for a few days, when on Sunday morning, October 5, she had a massive heart attack and died shortly thereafter. She was 72 years old. Saundra is survived by Phil (her husband of 35 years), four children, ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two sisters. Saundra’s funeral was held on October 10.
Cards may be sent to:
Phil Nichols 6160 Walker Springs Road Jackson, AL 36545
We asked recently for prayer Elaine Vernon, who is Deb Paz’s aunt (click here to read the original request). Elaine’s surgery for cancer on the brain went well. Please continue to pray for complete healing and strength as she recovers.
GCI pastor James Newby requests prayer for himself. In being treated for an infection, it was discovered that he has a mass on his left kidney. A CT scan was conducted recently and the results are pending. To add to the stress on the family, James’ daughters have chickenpox and the family is facing a substantial drop in income (with implications for health insurance coverage). Please pray for James, for his wife Karen and their children at this difficult time. Cards may be sent to:
Despite life’s sometime painful twists and turns, I never heard Mel speak bitterly, angrily or cruelly about anyone. He chose to live a life of believing the best and hoping for the best. If you looked for Mel, you’d most likely find him lending someone a helping hand, or coming or going from doing so. After the death of Victoria’s mom, Barbara, Mel was richly blessed to meet the former Amy Miller and share the next 19 joyous years with her at his side. Amy is a strong and capable woman and is surrounded by a large and loving family as she travels this rocky and winding road of grief. Victoria and I are so grateful for the happiness she brought Mel for so many years.
