Earl and Gladys Mosteller

Retired missionary Earl E. Mosteller, Jr., passed away October 27, 2015, in Roseburg, Oregon. He was 97.

He was born on June 25, 1918 in Pierre, South Dakota to Earl Elwood and Mable Elsie (Westover) Mosteller and grew up on the family farm in Canning, South Dakota.

Mosteller married Gladys Marie Parker on June 12, 1941 in Oregon City, Oregon. Both graduates of Northwest Nazarene College (now University), they began their pastoral ministry on December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor Sunday) in Hemlock, Oregon. They were appointed as missionaries by the Church of the Nazarene in 1944 and served for 45 years in Cape Verde (now Cabo Verde), Brazil, Portugal, and the Azores.

General Superintendent Dr. Eugénio R. Duarte, a native of Cabo Verde, said Earl and Gladys served with a "great visionary and pioneer spirit."

"[Dr. Mosteller] was instrumental for the expansion of the church in the Cape Verde islands as well as the establishment of the church in Brazil, Portugal, and the Azores," Duarte said. "His vision and passion for evangelism, church planting, theological education, and holiness literature contributed significant thrust to the establishment, growth multiplication in all of the above nations. The first generations of pastors and preachers of the above were mentored and trained by him. His influence and philosophy of mission reached far beyond those who worked directly with him. At one time as I attempted to get information from him on a particular accomplishment on the mission field that I know he invested so much of himself and of his resources, he talked about those who were members of his team and gave all credit to them--such was the greatness of his spirit.

"I do not know anyone who preached, thought, and lived the message of holiness better than Dr. Mosteller," Duarte said. "The last time I had the privilege of being on the phone with him was during last Christmas season. He directed the conversation to the passion of his heart, encouraging me to spread the message. I will never forget the way his gracious presence, simplicity, and love for the lost impacted me personally. Dr. Mosteller will be greatly missed. We are deeply grateful for his lasting impact on many lives through the way he lived and modeled commitment and obedience to God."

Mosteller was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister Iona; brother Lyle (in World War II); and brother-in-law Dan Bradley.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys, of Roseburg, Oregon...

three daughters: Kathleen (Larry) Loeber of Richland, Washington; Virginia (Jim) York of Canyonville, Oregon; and Elizabeth (Steve) Ott of Casper, Wyoming...

five grandchildren: Lincoln Loeber of Issaquah, Washington; Krystal Loeber of Lisbon, Portugal; Peter (Michelle) Ott of Nampa, Idaho; Dr. Stephanie (Ryan) Hunt of El Paso, Texas; and Seth Ott of Nampa, Idaho...

four siblings--Betty Bradley of Boyne City, Michigan; Lerta (Leanold) Hopkins of Arlington, Texas; Clayton (Linda) Mosteller of Custer, South Dakota; and Cassel (Gene) Youngberg of Rapid City, South Dakota...

and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

A memorial celebration will be held Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Aurora Church of the Nazarene in Shoreline, Washington, with a family graveside service to follow at Nestucca Valley Community Cemetery near Hemlock, Oregon.

Anyone wishing to share memories, stories, or pictures may send them to the family by email to mosteller70th1941@gmail.com or mail to Kathy (Mosteller) Loeber, P.O. Box 1727, Richland, WA 99352.

Prayer is requested for the Mosteller family.

For more information on the Mostellers' story, go to nazarene.org ( Engage Magazine , Nov. 5, 2014, "Doing mission well: Pioneering").