Rev. Kermit C. Gladfelder, 1923-2007

The Daily Iowegian - 26 February 2007

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  Pastor Kermit Gladfelder, age 83, of Centerville died Friday, Feb. 23, 2007 at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville.

  He was born the son of Frank and Lilly (Hiner) Gladfelder on Feb. 28, 1923 near Moravia. He received his education in a Rural Appanoose County country school and later graduated from Vennard College in University Park.  Kermit served his country during WWII with the U.S. Army in Japan and was honorably discharged In December 1946.  

  On June 19, 1948, Kermit was united in marriage to Rosalie Zimmer in Centerville.
  He farmed for 17 years in Appanoose County and then in 1965, he become a Pastor in the United Methodist Church. He first served the Methodist Churches in Mystic, Jerome, Numa and Cincinnati, then was transferred to Attica where he served Attica Olive Chapel and Zion. Years later, he moved to State Center, where he served the Manerva Wesley Chapel Congregations and finally, moving to Correctionville, to serve the Methodist churches of Correctionville and Cushing. He retired after serving over 23 years in the ministry.
  He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Keith Gladfelder; and sister, Maxine Kaster.
  Kermit is survived by his wife, Rosalie Gladfelder of Centerville; sons, Timothy "Joel" Gladfelder of Moravia and Thomas Michael Gladfelder and his wife, Lisa of Eudora, Kan.; daughters, Fonda Sue Wettestad and her husband, James of Ankeny, Elaine Marie Heusinkveld and her husband, Michael of Sheldon; brother, Kester Gladfelder of Wapello; three grandchildren, Chas and Aaron Haworth and Allison Gladfelder.
  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. at the Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church in Centerville with Robert Pick officiating. Burial will follow at the Main Station Cemetery near Moravia.
  Visitation will be held on Monday, Feb. 26, from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

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2007 Yearbook of the Iowa Annual Conference

of the United Methodist Church

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Rev. Kermit Clair Gladfelder 

Served the Jerome Methodist Church c1965-1970

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  Kermit was born on February 28, 1923 near Moravia, Iowa, the son of Frank and Lilly (Hiner) Gladfelder. He received his education in the rural Appanoose County Schools and later graduated from Vennard College in University Park, IA. He received a license to preach in the United Methodist Church from Garret Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, IL.

  Kermit served with the US Army in Japan during World War II. It was at this time that his love for foreign missions was born. He was honorably discharged on December 8, 1946. On June 19, 1948 he married Mary Rosalie Zimmer in Walnut City, Iowa.

  After farming for 17 years he became pastor of 4 small United Methodist Churches in Appanoose County. One of his greatest challenges in answering God's call to the ministry was education. Only the Lord could provide the faith for an adult, married, Iowa farmer, who had not attended high school, to enroll in Bible College, commute 95 miles a day, 4 days a week, and continue a full-time farming operation. He enjoyed witnessing through foreign missions in 8 countries. Kermit retired in 1988 following 23 years of service. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family.

  Kermit died February 23, 2007 of complications from Alzheimers Disease at age 83. Memorial services were held February 27, 2007 at Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church in Centerville, IA with Robert Pick officiating. Burial was in the Main Station Cemetery near Moravia, IA. He is survived by his wife, Rosalie of Centerville, IA; sons, Joel of Moravia, IA and Thomas of Eudora, KS; daughters, Fonda Wettestad of Ankey, IA and Elaine Heusinkveld of Sheldon, IA; brother, Kester of Wapello, IA; and 4 grandchildren.