Rev. Cecil W. Baldwin
At the age of 96, Cecil passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, MI.
Celebration of Cecil’s life will be held in conjunction with that of his wife, Geneva, who preceded him in death by 10 days, having passed away on October 5, 2013. The celebration of life for Cecil and Geneva will be held at 4 pm, Sunday, October 20, 2013, at the First Church of God, 2627 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph with Pastor Robert Confer presiding. Visitation will be at 2:30 – 4 pm, prior to the memorial service, also at The First Church of God. Memorials may be made to the First Church of God.
Cecil was born on October 7, 1917, to William and Minerva Baldwin in Mountainair, NM. Following high school graduation in Vincennes, IN, he attended Anderson College in Anderson, IN, where he graduated in 1943 with a Bachelor of Theology degree. There he met the love of his life, Geneva (Crocker) Baldwin. They married on July 14, 1940 and had two children, Sandra Carter of Anderson, IN. and Renard (Phyllis) Baldwin of St. Joseph,
Rev. Baldwin had a long and distinguished ministry in the Church of God of Anderson, IN. During his 50 years of ministry he served churches in Noblesville, Indiana, Grand Junction, Colorado, Louisville, Kentucky, Peoria, Illinois, Washington, Illinois and was Visitation Pastor and Pastor Emeritus, First Church of God, St. Joseph, Michigan. From 1978 to 1982, Rev. Baldwin served as Executive State Secretary of the Church of God in Illinois. Following his retirement to St. Joseph in 1983 and while serving the St. Joseph church, he conducted many revival meetings, led Christian Education and teacher training workshops with his wife, and had short term interim pastorates and guest speaking engagements in several states across the country. In all of the states where he pastored he held many leadership positions at the local level, statewide level and national levels of The Church of God.
Cecil’s passion was ministering to people. His entire life focused on where he could be of service. He was extremely proud of this family and all of their accomplishments. He was adored by and will be sorely missed by his children.
Cecil was preceded in death by his sweet wife, Geneva, his parents and 11 brothers and sisters.
Starks and Menchinger Funeral Homes of St. Joseph have been trusted with the arrangements for Cecil’s memorial.