BABCOCK, Gerald Ellwood – of Dresden, Ontario, went home to be with his Saviour at Fiddicks Nursing Home, Petrolia, Ontario on August 28, 2014 at the age of 86.

He was born in Chatham Township, Ontario. He married Helen Childs on July 31, 1948 and was ordained as a Free Methodist minister in 1957. He pastored several Free Methodist churches in Western Ontario including Wabash-Chatham and Dresden; Tillsonburg & Ingersoll; Niagara Falls, Zion, and Charlemont.

Gerald was a devoted follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. His testimony was clear, mature and steady. It was evident that he knew the Lord in a quiet, personal way and that his heart’s desire was to see others come to know Jesus as Savior and then be discipled to joyfully follow Him as Lord.

Gerald retired from pastoring in 1974. He was deeply committed to the ministries of Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre in Thamesford, Ontario, even in his retirement. He loved being there and seeing lives touched by the Lord. A love for camping ministries was so inescapable that he passed it on to his children who remain faithfully committed to Maple Grove.

Helen, his wife of many years predeceased him on September 2, 2013. He is survived by his son: James and daughters, Carolyn Cornish, Norma Langstaff, Catherine Langstaff, and Janice Smith, and their spouses; as well as 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

A funeral service was conducted from the Dresden Community Church, on September 1, 2014. Rev. Ken Kennedy, Rev. Ron Bartolo and Rev. Raymond Babcock officiated at the funeral. A pre-service hymn sing was conducted by Rev. James Carne. Rev. Paul Shaw offered a prayer and a “Portrait of Gerald”. Gerald’s family provided special music in the singing of “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”. Musical accompaniment throughout the service was provided by Velma Wilbur and Marilyn Henry. Flag bearers were Jeremy Babcock and Jared Cornish. Pall bearers were Dustin Cornish, Kyle Langstaff, Dan Langstaff, Chris Langstaff, Ryan Langstaff and Terry Knox. Flower bearer was Becky Clark. Granddaughters and great grandchildren formed a special “Rose Garden Honour Guard”. Interment with his wife Helen in Dresden Cemetery.