Echo Winter 2025 - 41

Ada Ruth Musser Jerchau ('49), 98, went home
to be with her Lord and Savior on Sept. 12, 2024.
Ruth and her husband of 50 years, Edward ('49),
who was named the LBC Alumnus of the Year in
1971 and passed away in 2000, served together at
Christ's Home for children for almost 37 years. Ruth
created untold numbers of picnics for the roughly
360 children the Jerchaus cared for over the years
as house parents. An adventurous person who loved
the outdoors, Ruth was the last of 11 siblings in her
family as well as the last surviving charter member
of Grace Baptist Church, where she served in various
ministry roles over her lifetime. She is survived by
two sons, two daughters, 10 grandchildren, 25 greatgrandchildren
and many nieces and nephews.
Patricia Ann " Patty " Haney (WBC '70), 77, passed
away Sept. 9, 2024. In addition to being an optician,
Patty was also a Christian school teacher. After her
teaching career, she worked for the North Carolina
Ferry Division in Southport, N.C. She is survived
by her husband, a sister and a brother, Rod Spade
(WBC '70 & '87).
James A. " Jim " Bouder ('89 & '03), 55, died
peacefully at home on Oct. 18, 2024, surrounded by
his family. Jim was a Drug and Alcohol Counselor
at The Salvation Army in Harrisburg, Pa., as well as a
member of The Salvation Army in Lancaster, where
he served as the organization's beloved bandmaster.
Jim enjoyed music, bowling and watching the
Philadelphia Eagles. He leaves behind his wife, Tracy,
five children, four grandchildren, a sister, several
nieces and nephews, as well as four " football " sons.
Craig Miller ('90), 56, passed away Oct. 11, 2024,
while serving as a Crossworld missionary and
church planter in the Canary Islands with his wife,
Karena (Levy '92). Born in Cumberland, Md., to
William ('78) and Kathleen ('78) Miller, Craig grew
up in the area until his parents moved to Brazil as
missionaries in 1980. Craig watched the impact of
his parents' ministry and decided he wanted to do
the same thing. Shortly after earning his degree in
Bible and missions, he and Karena were married
and began making plans for their own career on the
mission field. In 1991, they joined Berean Mission,
which later merged with Crossworld, and spent four
years serving in Brazil before moving to the Canary
Islands of Spain. Craig and Karena served faithfully as
disciple-makers and church planters in the Canary
Islands since 2008. Besides his wife and parents,
Craig is survived by three adult children and one
grandson.
Rev. Samuel Wanjau ('98 & '04), 66, passed away
July 26, 2024. He was a follower of Jesus Christ
and a founding member of the African Community
Church of Lancaster. He played a key role in
establishing a local church in Lancaster in 2001.
With over 45 years of active service to the body of
Christ, Sam also served in key leadership positions
in the churches and communities in Kenya and
the U.S. In addition to his wife of 38 years, Ruth
Karebu ('99), he is survived by two daughters and
six grandchildren.
John Jacob Hoover ('06), 53, passed away Oct.
10, 2024, at his home after a battle with cancer.
John served with InFaith in New England for 15
years, faithfully ministering in local nursing homes,
bringing the love and light of the gospel to the
elderly. John was passionate about mentoring the
younger generation, sharing life and many hours
over breakfast diving into the Word of God with
younger men. John loved his wife of 27 years, Kathy
(Martin '94), and was a wonderful husband and
father to three daughters. John is also survived by
four brothers and three sisters.
Dr. Timothy J. Lease ('15 & '20),
son of Lancaster Bible College's
third President, Dr. Stuart E.
Lease ('52), went home to be
with the Lord on Nov. 26, 2024,
after fighting a courageous
battle with cancer. Besides his
loving wife, Bridget ('17 & '21),
he leaves behind two sons, Andrew and Henry. In
addition to his father and mother, Barbara, he was
preceded in death by his sister, Rebecca. Tim earned
his bachelor's degree from Millersville University
and his master's and PhD from LBC. The majority
of Tim's life was spent in the hotel industry, but he
also taught at LBC and HACC. A celebration of life
service on Dec. 14 was officiated by LBC President
Emeritus and longtime Lease family friend Dr. Peter
W. Teague. For LBC's 90th anniversary, Drs. Stuart
and Tim Lease were featured in The ECHO, which
can be accessed at the QR code below.
ECHO 41
Echo Winter 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Winter 2025
