It is a very small world. I believe that Jerry was a graduate of Randolph High School in the same class as my father--Tom Rubenking. In 1975 I attended my first Church-Camp at Camp Aldersgate near Villisca and Stanton. Jerry was the Camp Director for that camp. He led us in some moving lessons concerning sin and forgiveness. His leadership and encouragement drew me closer to the Lord. It just so happened that I met my wife at that Camp. Later on I went to Simpson College and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio and became a United Methodist Pastor.

Now I am serving the First United Methodist Church in Clarinda where Jerry served when I first came to Camp Aldersgate. I owe him a debt of gratitude. He put up with some wild Jr. High kids at that camp and still managed to share with them the love of Christ and the forgiveness of God. God has a way of weaving things together that would seem totally unrelated. As I look back on it all I can see God's hand on all of us during that week in the summer of 1975.

I know that we all are human and that we have faults, but Jerry was able to share and give advice to me during a crucial time in my life and even though I had not heard the call to ministry at that time, he helped to lead me to that place where I would eventually hear God calling. Having been prepared by all those steps leading up to that moment, I heard the call and answered.

God bless you as you remember Jerry and hear about the many lives he has touched. Take care and God bless and know that Jerry's ministry has touched thousands of people.

Yours in Christ,
Andrew L. Rubenking, Pastor
Clarinda First United Methodist Church
[August 2009]

Jerry was a wonderful man and minister. He had a lasting impact on the youth of our church. Our children Randy and Ann Woolson and Cathy Smith were all in confirmation classes with him. A group of us wanted to start a nursery school (Mike Smith was a preschooler). He facilitated the use of the church educational unit, served on the first board for the nursery school, and held our hands through the process of incorporation, initiating the first class, hiring the first teacher, etc. That nursery school still exists in the church facility. He also started the Sew and Share which has turned into the major food pantry in the community.

A new church member Stan Tyler passed away suddenly one night. The police came after me because they had seen me talking to his wife in the grocery store parking lot. The wife Mary Tyler was in shock. I called Jerry (it was almost midnight) and he came immediately. I will never forget his rocking the 5 year old daughter until she finally fell asleep. The comfort he provided the widow and three children in the next few weeks was unbelievable.

The last time I saw him was at a funeral of a Clarinda church member in Des Moines. My marriage was on the rocks and he listened to my woes for nearly an hour even though he was attending annual conference at the time. His parting words were: "Whatever happens, always remember that God is there and will help you pick up the pieces."

Anna Woolson
Clarinda, Iowa
[August 2009]

My name is Jack Hofmockel. I grew up at Glenwood Grace UMC and Jerry was a good friend. I graduated from NWMSU in 1981 and came back from college to live in Glenwood and teach at Fremont-Mills in Tabor. Jerry performed our wedding ceremony on June 27, 1981 when I was married to my first wife, Debra Jean Morton. Debby's pastor from her home church (Rock Port UMC, Rock Port, MO), Rev. Cleo Coleville, co-officiated. Debby and I were in the Chancel Choir and just about every Wednesday evening after choir practice Jerry, Mavis Uehling (she was the choir director at the time), Debby, and I would go out for coffee and maybe a desert of some kind. He encouraged me when I was trying to discern my call to ministry. And here's another interesting bit: when I was first appointed to a church during seminary at Saint Paul School of Theology, I was appointed to The United Methodist Churches at Tabor and Randolph - the same school district where I had my first teaching job right out of college. What's more, I am currently serving my second appointment, The United Methodist Churches at Logan & Magnolia. If I remember the local church history correctly, Jerry was pastor here some time ago. Jerry was a good friend, always very encouraging to me, and I miss him very much.

Grace & Peace!
Jack D. Hofmockel, Pastor
The United Methodist Churches at Logan & Magnolia
[August 2009]

Reverend Irvin was the first reverend I remember and the only one I remember until Rev. Arnpriester who came along when I was about 29. Reverend Irvin left me with a warm feeling about our church and being a Methodist.

He was young and fun. He seemed to really enjoy children, calling my best friend "Loose Screw" and me, "Screw Loose". Somehow that led us to taking out screws and leaving them on his desk for him to replace. The big puzzle was how in the world he ever figured out where they went in that whole church!

He was kind. I was a messed up kid going through the motions of confirmation classes and doing none of the work. Of course, I flunked the test. I cried when I got the paper back, but he let me be confirmed anyway. Not a word said.

I'll never forget when a bunch of kids and I were playing basketball in the Fellowship Room and he came in and took a few shots. The ceiling was rather low for basketball and he dribbled the ball clear to the other end and flung it straight into the basket. Our jaws dropped and we just knew there was something magical and mythical about this man!

Mary Phillips
Denison
[October 2009]