John Bettig

Rev. John Bettig, D.D., 84,went to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after a lengthy illness,on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014 at his home in St. Joseph, MI. A viewing will be held at Starks &Menchinger Funeral Home on Monday, Dec. 22, from 5 – 7 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at Napier Parkview Baptist Church on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of the following ministries: CIS/Christian Involvement in Service, P.O. Box 768, St. Joseph, MI, 49085-0768;TWR/Trans World Radio, P.O. Box 8700, Cary, NC, 27512-8700; Napier Parkview Baptist Church,245 West Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI, 49022. Those wishing to sign John’s Memory Book may do so online at: www.starks-menchinger.com. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife Alma (Wittmaier) Bettig, son Frank (Laura) Bettig, Rockford, MI; son Harry (Eileen) Bettig, Amersfoort, the Netherlands; daughter Gloria (Dave) Droge, Belgrade, MT; Jeffery (Vicki) Bettig, Rockford, MI,grandchildren Sharon (Michael) Chappa, Rachael (Jason) Campfield, John T. Bettig, Michelle (Albert) Mayo, Timothy Droge, Tamara Droge, Alexi Bettig, Lynsey Bettig, plus four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Paul (Shima) Bettig, Maria (Otto) Schultz, Valentin Bettig, Erich (Linda) Bettich, Henry (Connie) Bettich, and Peter (Carole) Bettig, plus numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Helene (Anton) Kosachuk, Alexander (Sandra) Bettich, and Nina (Robert) Burton. John was born on April 7, 1930, in Solomka, Volhynia, Poland (now Ukraine) to Robert and Matrona(Kriwtchuk) Bettig. He received his education in Russian, Polish, and German schools. The Bettig family escaped to West Germany in 1946, thenJohn immigrated to the U.S. in 1952, settling in Benton Harbor, MI.After 17 months, Johnwas drafted to the U.S. Army, received U.S. citizenship, and trained to serve in Korea, but then instead worked as an interpreter for Army Intelligence in Germany from 1953 to 1955. After completing his military duty and marrying Alma, he finished his high school education and then received further education at Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music and Western Michigan University. At that time he was also the pastor of Wayside Chapel in Plainwell, MI. In 1970 he was appointed and ordained for ministry by the Evangelical Free Church of America, and was granted a Certificate of Life Membership in the Evangelical Free Church Ministerial Association in 1995. John began serving years earlier on the deacon board at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, at the age of 28, ministering in this role for many years—both before and after living overseas as a missionary with TWR. John & Alma joined Trans World Radio (TWR) in 1970 and were involved in producing Russian programs in Monte Carlo until 1975. They then transferred to West Germany to establish the Russian Department at Evangeliums-Rundfunk, TWR’s German National Partner. He also travelled extensively, preaching and teaching in German churches. After delegating his responsibilities to Russian coworkers, he and Almareturned to the U.S. in 1988. John served as an Area Representative and Ministry Consultant with TWR until his retirement in 2003. Recognized for a life of dedicated Christian service and consistent Christian testimony, the Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music Alumni Assoc. honored John as Alumnus of the Year in 1979.  He was also granted an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree (D.D.) from Indianapolis Christian University in December of 2000. “Retirement” presented more opportunities for serving the Lord. After numerous trips to Russia and Ukraine in which John spoke in national churches, taught at the NAB Bible School in Rostov, Russia, hosted church groups from the U.S. in Ukraine to aid national believers, and served as an interpreter, he founded “Christian Involvement in Service” (CIS), a non-profit mission involved in various initiatives in Russia and Ukraine. In addition to his CIS volunteer work, he also volunteered for several years as a hospital chaplain in St. Joseph. Due to his declining health, he transferred the presidency of the CIS ministry to coworker in Christ, James Agens,in September 2009. John will be remembered not only for his love for the Son (of God), but also for his love for the sun, exercising, woodworking, eating, sharing his life stories, collecting herbs, and walking in nature. John’s unique history, ministry experience, and knowledge of five-languages gave him the opportunity to minister in many different countries, with Alma faithfully serving at his side in various administrative roles. He did everything as “unto the Lord,” with a heart full of joy and expectation, until meeting his Savior face-to-face.