Obituaries

Obituaries

In Loving Memory – John and Sandra Gibbons

Harold John Gibbons was born on the 3rd of December, 1936, in Lake Cargelligo, NSW. John grew up on the family farm, living through droughts, floods, dust storms and mouse plagues. He learned resilience and resourcefulness, which meant he always loved fixing things and making things. At age 21, while working in Papua New Guinea, John became ill with polio and had to return to Australia to recover. Although doctors said he would never walk again, John was determined to…

In Loving Memory of Latza Barat

A Tribute by Esther Boje Latza Barat, “Baka” as she was fondly known to many, was born in Trsje, Macedonia on the 14th of March, 1931. She was a twin. Sadly, her twin Lena died at the tender age of two years old. She attended school for six months before the school was shut down due to the war. With limited schooling she was still able to learn to read and write in many languages, not only in Macedonian. Latza…

Condolences to the Payet Family

We were sad to learn that the mother of Br. Jacques Payet passed away in June. Our sincere sympathies go to Br. Jacques and his family during their time of sorrow. We pray each family member feels God’s loving arms around them, as you mourn the loss of your mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. May the blessed hope of the resurrection morning help to bring comfort to your hearts during this time of grief. Br. Jacques, originally from the Seychelles, now…

In Loving Memory – Maria Esman

Maria Esman 9 December 1933 – 19 June 2022 It was a full house on Sunday the 3rd of July as family and friends gathered at the church in Somerton Park to pay their respects and give tribute to the life of Maria Esman. The service started and finished with some of her favourite hymns, and stories and memories were shared to honour her life. The following is some of what was shared on the day. Maria was born on…

In Loving Memory – Milivoj Dimitrijevic

Milivoj Dimitrijevic 18th June, 1930 to 16th February, 2022 Milivoj Dimitrijevic served for many years in ministry and missions work. We acknowledge his service in the cause of God and offer our condolences to his family. The following tribute was prepared by his children. Dad was born on the 18th of June, 1930 to parents, Djurica and Olga Dimitrijevic, in Novi Knjezevac, in what was then known as Yugoslavia, now called Serbia. He was the eldest of four children, followed…

In Loving Memory – Bozena Vatala

Bozena Vatala21st November, 1935 to 28th January, 2022 We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of our dear Sr Bozena Vatala, who was laid to rest on the 28th January 2022 while residing at the Adventist Retirement Village. May God place His loving arms around each family member as you mourn for the loss of you dear Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother. We look forward to the day when we shall meet once again at Jesus’ feet.…

In Loving Memory – Mira Ilic

Mira Ilic 8th March, 1938 to 25th January, 2022 Mira (Jugović) Ilić, known to most as Mima, was born  in the town of Jazavica, near Novska, the youngest daughter of Ivan and Reza Jugović. She had two sisters and two brothers: Marija (Seka), born 1927; Mijo, born 1929; Zora, born 1933; and Zdravko, born 1935. Mima lost her mother at an early age – she was only 4 years old when her mother passed away in 1942. Her father remarried…

In Loving Memory of Grace Barnett

14 June 1930 – 28 December 2021 Grace Jean Barnett passed away on 28 December, 2021, aged 91 years. She was the third daughter of Ted and Violet Burley, born on 14 June, 1930 at Miles, Qld. Grace’s young life was spent on properties in western Queensland. Living in the country, social and church life was limited, but thanks to one older sister, an interdenominational Bible study group was conducted but unfortunately later closed down by the Church of England…

In Loving Memory of Lydia Kraus

14 June 1935 – 25 December 2021 In the book of Colossians (3:12), the Bible tells us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. For us, this is how we see Lydia Kraus touching the lives of all who knew her. Born on 14 June 1935 in Wilhelminenort, in a fertile agricultural region of east Germany, she came into the world as a blue baby, born in the hay, during the busy summer harvest. Mum was the…

In Loving Memory of Nikola Popovik

14.05.1956 – 05.11.2021 Adapted from the eulogy read at the funeral of Br. Nikola Popovik. We thank God for Nikola’s life and remember him for what he was—a truly lovely person: generous, righteous, positive, with a great sense of humor, caring and always putting others before himself. Nikola was born into a happy family. Both Nikola and his only sibling, his sister Olga who is six years younger, were born in Skopje, the capital of Republic of North Macedonia, at…

A Tribute to Steven Lett

By Nathan Tyler Those who knew Steve Lett knew a quiet but earnest man who thought about big ideas and always wanted to develop his talents and learn more. Born in 22 December 1965, Steve has family around NSW and Victoria. He spent the last number of years in Belfrayden, NSW with his wife, Debbie. In 2019, Steve requested rebaptism. It had been my privilege to perform this on the 14th of April of that year, near Wagga Wagga. Steve…

In Loving Memory of Colin Hammond

By Paula Hammond Colin Ronald Hammond was born on the 22nd of March, 1964 in Carlton, Victoria. His father’s name was Ronald Ernest Hammond and his mother’s name was Patricia Maureen O’Toole. There were five children – Colin, his 3 sisters and 1 brother. Colin’s childhood was not a very happy one. Home life was very tough for him and sadly, from the age of 13, he was asked to leave home by his father. Even though his mother wanted…

In Memory of Peter James Jackson

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Brother Peter Jackson, former Australasian Union Conference Secretary, and much-loved brother in Christ. Brother Peter Jackson was first introduced to the Third Angel’s Message through his wife-to-be, Sister Charmaine. While he was still in the Royal Australian Air Force, he read the book The Great Controversy, became convinced of the Present Truth, and gained an early discharge from the Air Force. After receiving Bible Studies from Brother Neville Brittain,…

In Loving Memory of Our Dear Sister Alexandrina Silva

The Australasian Union Conference extends our sincere condolences to the Silva Family.  May God comfort each one of you through the loss of your loved one. It is with great sadness that we wish to inform you that our dear Sister Alexandrina fell asleep in Jesus on the 6th August 2020 in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.  In faith, we look forward to the resurrection morning, when we will once more be with our loved ones.  “For if we…

Eulogy – Maria Cristea

I’d like to share with you all a few things about the life of our grandmother Maria Cristea. Maria was born in the heart of Romania in the small German village of Sincu Brasov on the 14th of June, 1934, to parents Emil Ghircoias and Elena Moga, who were both of similar age, born in 1898. She was the baby of the family—she had three brothers, Gheorghe, Jon and Basile. Life was not easy, when you consider that World War…

A Tribute to our Mum – Catharina Bende Sas

This is a very brief recollection of the life of a beautiful lady, Catharina Bende Sas, as seen through the eyes of her children Lidia, Charles and Rubem. Catharina Bende Sas was born on Saturday, 24th November 1934, in a little town called Caiva Presidente Venceslau.  The second of nine children born to Americo and Barbara Bende.   Sadly, two passed away very young, in their infancy.  Andrew was only 5 weeks old when he died of cot death and Lidia…

General Conference Circular

February, 28, 2017 Dear SDARM family around the world, Christian greetings with: “I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13). Our dear Brother Alfons Balbach went peacefully to rest in the Lord at age 93 in Sacramento CA, USA, on Monday, February 27, 2017. Brother Balbach was born…

Peter and Celia Thiel – Eulogy

Introduction: written by Amos Thiel The news of Brother Peter and Sister Celia Thiel’s death has come as a shock of sadness to all of us who knew and loved them. Peter and Celia joined the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement in 1978, and their presence and contributions have been a blessing within the church since that time.   They had recently spent happy times in Western Australia with their children, Joanna and Benjamin and their families. They had been to…

Condolences

August has been a very sad month, as a number of our brethren lost close family members.  It is with sorrow in our hearts that we would like to extend our sincere sympathy to these families and pray that God will comfort and strengthen each one during this time of great loss.  Celia and Peter Thiel The Thiel family are devastated by news of their tragic loss – Celia and Peter Thiel – who were killed instantly in a car…

Condolences to the family of Brother Junior Letoa – Samoa

The sad news arrived from our brethren in Samoa that Brother Junior Letoa passed away on the 2nd June 2014 at 6:45pm due to health problems. We have the wonderful hope to see our brother again at the coming of Jesus.  Taking strength from God’s Words found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we…
  • 1
  • 2