Reverend Preston Eugene Wolfley
August 09, 2010
Reverend Preston Eugene Wolfley, 74, passed away at his home on Monday, August 9, 2010. He was born to Robert and Sally (Doughtie) Wolfley on April 14, 1936 in Gatesville, NC and graduated from Newport News High School in 1954 and Malone College in 1958.
Reverend Wolfley pastored many churches beginning in 1958 to 1963 at Bangor Friends Church in Bangor, IA; Seaside Friends Church in Hector’s River, Jamaica, WI from 1963-66; First Friends Church in Des Moines from 1966-73; First Church of the Open Bible in Ottumwa, IA from 1973-75; Bethany Open Bible Church in Des Moines from 1975-80; Missionary Evangelist traveling to many countries from 1980-91; Riverside Friends Church in Mason City, IA from 1991-98; Christian Services International Mission House Host in Highgate, Jamaica from 1998-2001; and Worthington Friends Church in Kingston, Jamaica from 2001-2007. Beginning in 1962, for 48 years, he continually returned to Jamaica for ministry. Reverend Wolfley retired in 2007 due to ill health.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Frances; daughters, Kimberly (Charles) Davis, Christine (Robert) Breckenridge, and Sheila (Sandra Warne) Wolfley; grandchildren, Christine Layne Davis, Ryanne Elaine Breckenridge, Robert Eugene Breckenridge III, Jasmine Jean Walk; great-grandchildren, Caleb and Alexander Hamby and Preston Lee Breckenridge. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Robert L. Wolfley, Jr. and William A. Wolfley.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends for Worthington Friends Church of Kingston, Jamaica, P.O. Box 657, Oskaloosa, IA 52577.
Online condolences may be made at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Kenneth E. Hall
08/28/2010
Sorry to learn of the passing of my pastor when I was a young man growing up at Seaside. I was privileged to serve with him in the ministry of the Jamiaca Yearly Meeting of Friends, and to have shared with him in 2007 Yearly Meeting sessions. He was an encourager and often reminded me to gain the best education I could. My sympathy is extended to his wife Frances, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Sincerely,
Kenneth E. Hall
Buddy Stein
08/28/2010
I was very sorry to hear about Eugene's passing.
Buddy Stein
Lois Cameron
08/28/2010
Hi Frances,
Thanks for all you & your wonderful husband did for Happy Grove
We are eternally indebted to you.
May God give you strength as you go through these difficult days.
Lois Cameron
Dulcie Lindsay Bishop
08/28/2010
To the Wolfley Family:
Please accept my sincere condolence on the passing of Preston to his Heavenly Home. I will keep you all in my prayers. God bless.
Dulcie Lindsay Bishop.
Delores Badresingh Lindsay
08/28/2010
Dear Frances,
I grew up in Jamaica, West Indies where Pastor Eugene Wolfley was a household name in the "Friends" circle. My brother was even christened Eugene Badresingh by Pastor Wolfley. On behalf of my entire family I offer prayers that his soul rests in peace.
Sincerely,
Delores Badresingh Lindsay
Jan Black
08/28/2010
I was one of those young students at Happy Grove during the 1961-1968 period who was wonderfully blessed by the generous love and kind compassion from Mr and Mrs
Wolfley. I have many fond memories of being in their home playing games,sharing a meal, babysitting and enjoying great fun and fellowship with the other kids from the boarding school.
Most of all I am so very grateful for the lessons about Jesus Christ and the power of loving the Lord. Many of us joined the "I am His " club and learned more about how to stay faithful to Christ. Today as I reflect on the foundation that Mr and Mrs Wolfley helped to lay down, I have come to appreciate their ministry even more. Please add my voice to the many other former student who want to send our love and thanks at this time of sorrow.
Thanks for your loving encouragement to all of us who were kids back then.
To Mrs Wolfley and the kids,
My thoughts and Aloha are sent to you with the Love of the Lord. God Bless and comfort you.Now He is with the stars. Praise the Lord.
Jan Black
Ron and Margaret Squier
08/28/2010
Dear Fran and the whole family:
It is amazing how a person can become so important to you in just two short years. We dearly loved him and will always miss him. Our prayers are with you all.
Ron and Margaret Squier
Jeanie Lawson McElwee
08/27/2010
Dear Fran, girls, and family,
I am so sad to hear of your loss. Eugene was a great guy - always a big smile and a big laugh! We knew he loved Jesus with all his heart. I will always remember working with him at Hickory Grove Camp when I was home from college those summers in the early '70's. What a great time! (I can imagine him pulling his hair out due to our orneriness, but he kept us all on track :) My mom and dad (Dorothy & Don) thought so much of him, too, especially his teaching and preaching. I know they are all rejoicing in Heaven together now with Jesus. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Jeanie Lawson McElwee
Vincent W. Chattoo
08/24/2010
Although I did not know the gentleman personally,I get the feeling that he impacted many lives positively at Happy Grove and the communities around this noble institution.I wish to convey my condolences to his wife and family on behalf of the whole Happy Grove High Shcool community.May his soul rest in peace and life perpetually shine on him.
John C. Schooley Jr.
08/23/2010
To chris and Kim and Family .I am sorry to hear about Rev. Wolfley.Even though I haven't seen him or the family since the early 70's I will miss him.GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! John C . Schooley Jr.
Dee Fowler Warren
08/23/2010
My sympathies to all the family. I have many happy memories of time spent with the Wolfley family. I remember what great comfort Pastor Wolfley was to a group of teenagers who had just lost one of there very good friends.It was a very hard time for everyone, and he was very supportive of us all. Kim and Chris, I am thinking of you...
LouAnn Saltzman Engles
08/23/2010
Dear Francis and Family I know your hearts are broken because he is not with us and happy at the same time knowing he is free from disease and knowing he is with our Lord and Savior whom he lived his life for. I loved Brother Wolfley in the late 70's he was such a big part of the Saltzman family he would stop over on a daily basis just to spread his Love and just to let us know he cared he would sit and visit with us for hours we could talk to him about anything, there are alot of us and he made us all feel that we were so special to him and to God I will treasure the pictures I have of him back in those days at Bethany Open Bible. Our mother Joy played the piano at Bethany for years and she loved him too she went home to be with Jesus in 1997 and Brother Wolfley visited her many times in her illness we lost track of your family over the years but last year we lost our Dad suddenly after hip surgery and once again Brother Wolfley called us at such a time we were in such shock of our loss because we all new that mom was with Jesus but we were not sure about Dad but we serve an awesome God because Brother Wolfley called to let us know that our Dad had went to church one night after he ministered and went to the alter and gave his heart to the Lord so we rejoiced knowing he was with mom and Jesus. We all will be reunited soon our Love and prayers are with you Love The Saltzman Family
Emily Garlock Dickenson
08/22/2010
Dear Frances and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. Preston was such a wonderful person to everyone. You both were so gracious in helping my mother, Alma, when she was sick, especially during the time my husband was ill and I could never thank you enough. Alma thought Preston was so kind and thoughtful of everyone.
Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you and your family.
Emily Garlock Dickenson
Earl Ratcliff
08/22/2010
Dear Fran and family,
I am sorry to hear of your loss of Eugene. Many memories flood over me as I think of you and your family.
Visiting your homes in Des Moines, camp in Eldora, Yearly Meetings, visiting your office at Open Bible Headquarters...
Eugene was always "happy on the way!" Now he's arrived! It's exciting to anticipate the time when we can all gather around the throne and be reunited! What stories we'll have to tell!
Until then, may God wrap his arms around you and may you feel that peace that passes all understanding.
You are in my thoughts and prayers,
Earl Ratcliff
New Sharon, Iowa
Gloria Sample (Thorne)
08/21/2010
Dear Fran,
How can I tell you what you and Eugene meant to me. We had such fun together and great services together. I loved him and you too. God truly ministered through you both so much! Even though we've not been in contact for several years, I feel such a loss in my heart. But, I can just see him entering through the gates of heaven with that big wide grin and I can imaging him saying, " MERCY"!!!I see him as a wide eyed little kid trying to take it all in. I see him face too face with Jesus and I hear him singing his heart out. For us to be here and him to be there mades me all the more anxious to go.
I love you all and will pray for the girls and you Fran as you go on from here. Your family has a lot of faith and strength and loyal friends to help you through this time.
Much love and prayers,
Gloria