Rev. Margaret Eleanora Kelchner Margaret Eleanora Kelchner went to be with the Lord on April 6, 2014. She was a person who touched many lives in her 92 years of life. Given her life and vitality, her passing was unexpected and yet providential. Her final days were active and full of life. The Sunday morning before the Lord came for her, she sang in a trio with two of her children, sang in the choir, and heartily supported pastor’s message with periodic Amens. Max Lucado said: “Your last chapters can be your best. Your final song can be your greatest. It could be that all of your life has prepared you for a grand exit. God’s oldest have always been among his choicest.” Thus we are filled with our sense of loss and with the celebration of her life. Born November 26, 1921 in Palatka, Florida, to parents Alexander Stein Fox and Nina (Blackmer) Fox, she was the youngest of four children; the three brothers being, Ace Fox, Charles Fox, and Ray Fox. Outliving all her family, Margaret is preceded in death by her parents and three brothers. It was in 1930 that she moved with her family to Dayton, Ohio as a result of the great depression. Her father moved there seeking employment. On February 2, 1937, she married Raymond Elsworth Kelchner, her husband for 76 years. To this strong union, three children were born; Dr. Raymond E. Kelchner Jr. PHD, of Nevada, Sheridan Cecile (Kelchner) Rayl (MAE), Professor at Anderson University, and Rev. Larry E. Kelchner (BS), Associate Pastor and Minister of Worship of First Christian Church, Sun City, Arizona. Margaret was saved under the preaching of Dr. Dale Oldham and attended the Church of God on West Third Street where Dr. Dale was pastor. It was 1938 when Ray and Margaret, felt the call of God to dedicate their all to the Lord in ministry under the guidance of W.O. Moon, Luther R. Moore, and W. D Collins; a dedication that stayed with them to the end of their lives. They had sold out everything; house, furniture, and all to serve the Church of God in Florahome, and then, Palatka, Florida. Their family said they were crazy to leave a good paying job as a sign painter at the Inland in Dayton to move to Florida without a job or an assured income. God had other plans. The first ten years of their ministry was focused on gospel singing and during that time they sang for the likes of Homer Rodeheaver and Billy Graham and had a weekly radio program called Hymn Time. In 1950, they accepted their first pastorate at The Plains, Ohio; the first of eight churches. Margaret is survived by her three children, nine grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and eight great, great grandchildren. Her legacy will continue in her family and the many lives touched by her love and deep faith. For many of us, she was our prayer warrior. In addition to her musical and pastoral gifts, she was a great Bible teacher that was her passion up to her departure to be with the Lord. Her final topic of teaching was on the importance of fasting. A memorial service of celebration in honor of her homecoming will be held at the First Christian Church, 14001 N. Thunderbird Boulevard, Sun City. AZ., 85351, on April 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the Kelchner family asks that you donate money to a fund to help ministerial students prepare for service in the ministry. Checks should be made payable to North West Valley Church of God and mailed to Larry E. Kelchner, 2250 South Emerson Place, Chandler, Arizona 85286. Information regarding her service may be found at www.regencymortuary.com.