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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
Nov./Dec. 2004 |
Noted Hoosier church leader dies at 74
By Daniel R. Gangler
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Blaising, 74, who retired in 1994 after 42 years of service to Methodism, died Oct. 24, 2004 at his home in Fishers, Ind. A memorial service was held Oct. 28 at First United Methodist Church in Noblesville.
In retirement Blaising served The Oaks Academy, an inner-city Christian school. During his active ministry as a clergy member of the North Indiana Conference, he served as executive assistant to the bishop, district superintendent and pastor.
As pastor, he served South Milford-Wayne Center Methodist Church from 1952-56, Wallen Methodist Church from 1956-64, First United Methodist Church in Noblesville from 1964-69 and Trinity United Methodist Church in Elkhart from 1975-86. His congregation in Elkhart was the largest contributor to denominational missions in the nine-state North Central Jurisdictional Conference.
From 1969-75, Blaising served as the New Castle District superintendent, with 68 churches and a total membership of 15,000. Under his leadership, these congregations grew in spiritual depth and discipleship as well as stewardship and mission support.
His last eight years of active ministry (1986-1994) were spent as executive assistant to the Indiana Area bishop in Indianapolis. He was known for his lively sense of humor, spiritually enriching sermons, excellent administrative ability and compassionate pastoral care.
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He was known for his lively sense of humor, spiritually enriching sermons, excellent administrative ability and compassionate pastoral care. |
In United Methodist ministry beyond Indiana, Blaising served as chairman of the General Council on Finance and Administration and as a member of the church's General Board of Pensions, leading the committee that introduced computer technology to the largest church pension fund in the nation.
Three times he was elected delegate to General Conference, and was a delegate to the quadrennial North Central Jurisdictional Conference four times. He was a candidate for bishop in 1992. Blaising has led more than 244 finance campaigns in addition to leading preaching missions to Mexico, Chile, England and France, and was co-founder of Operation Classroom, an outreach program designed to provide educational supplies and to establish new schools in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Beyond the church, Blaising served on the Board of Directors of United Methodist-related Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for eight years and was a founding member of the Board of Directors of Clarian Health. During his ministry, he also served as a member of the Board at Elkhart General Hospital, Wesley Foundation at Ball State University, Bashor Children's Home, Wesley Manor, Franklin Community Methodist Home and the Samaritan Center.
Blaising earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Garrett Biblical Institute in Evanston, Ill. (now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary) in 1955. He earned a bachelor of arts from Albion (Mich.) College in 1952 and has received honorary doctorates from DePauw University and the University of Indianapolis, where he served as trustee for 12 years. Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary honored Blaising with a Distinguished Alumnus Award on May 14 of this year.
He engaged in post-graduate theological studies at Yale University Divinity School as well as the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and served as adjunct professor of church administration at Methodist Theological School in Ohio.
Surviving are his wife, Naomi; daughters, Jan Wimmer of Indianapolis and Anne Bidelman of Tampa, Fla.; and son, Steve Blaising of Indianapolis; and seven grandchildren: David and Katie, Megan and Nick, and Taylor, Erica, and Charlie. Condolences may be sent to Naomi Blaising, 13072 Duval Dr., Fishers, IN 46038.
Memorial gifts may be given to Operation Classroom through the Indiana Area UMC Foundation, 1100 W. 42nd St., Suite 210, Indianapolis, IN 46208; to the Marcus J. and Naomi Louise Blaising Scholarship Fund at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60201; or to the Oaks Academy, 2301 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46205.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008