Rev. Carl Stroder

The Rev. Carl Wesley Stroder, 93, of Jackson passed away ­­­­­­­­­Friday, July 15, 2016, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born May 5, 1923, in Crump, son of Luther and Lela Heimbach Stroder. He and Delma Louise Eakins were married Feb. 14, 1947.

Carl grew up in the Crump area and was a graduate of Randols High School. He served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from Aug. 22, 1944, to Oct. 13, 1946. After his honorable discharge as sergeant, Carl felt the call to preach the Gospel and became affiliated with the General Baptist organization. In the early ’50s, he decided he would need training to preach more efficiently. He enrolled in the Central Bible Institute in Springfield, Missouri. In 1953, he was ordained with the Assemblies of God and he remained with this denomination until his death. He pastored churches in Centerville, Missouri; Van Wert, Ohio; Lutesville, Missouri; and Ellington, Missouri. He returned to school, graduating in 1967 from Evangel College in Springfield, and worked from 1968 to 1973 as a counselor at Ellington High School. While working in Ellington, he achieved a Masters of Arts degree in educational psychology from Southeast Missouri State University. In 1974, he and Delma moved to Creal Springs, Illinois, where Carl was the pastor for the Assembly of God Church. He founded and pioneered the former Lakeside Assembly at Lake of Egypt, Illinois, developing it from the ground up. Carl and Delma moved to Lakeview Acres in Jackson in 2002 to be closer to family and, in doing so, made many new friends. They always had a big garden and loved to give the produce to neighbors, friends and family.

In addition to his wife of 69 years, loving survivors include three sons, Lonnie (Susan) Stroder of Jackson, Glenn (Joyce) Stroder of Farmington, Missouri, and Larry (Miriam) Stroder of Wildwood, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Timothy (Karie) Stroder, Dr. Ryan Stroder, Alex Stroder, Rebecca (Gary) Merseal, Rachel Stroder, Melissa (Scott) Stephens, Jennifer (Joe) Keel and Shawn Stroder; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, John Stroder (Norma Jean) of Florissant, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Ronald Carl Stroder; three brothers; and a sister.

The visitation will be from 4 p.m. until service time today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral service will be at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dave Parmley officiating, assisted by the Rev. Charles Lance. Interment will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Proffer Cemetery in Crump with military honors.

The family suggests contributions be made to Teen Challenge of Cape Girardeau of Southeast Missouri or Southeast Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.