Ernest William “Bill” Male,

January 6, 2017 at 4:56 p.m.

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Ernest William “Bill” Male, 89, Tecumseh, Mich., completed his earthly journey and stepped into eternity with his Savior on Jan. 5, 2017, at Cambrian Memory Care Center in Tecumseh.  
He lived the largest portion of his life in Warsaw and Winona Lake. 
He was born on Nov. 7, 1927, in Streator, Ill., to Gordon and Mary Morrell Male.  On Sept. 3, 1950, in Mendon, Mich., he was married to Ella Beth Kauffman. She survives in Tecumseh. 
Since 1959, he was a resident of Kosciusko County, where he was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church. 
After completing his Master of Divinity degree at Grace Theological Seminary, he pastored Grace Brethren churches in several states. However, he spent most of his career as a professor and administrator at Grace College and Theological Seminary. 
He was a staunch supporter of Christian education, and his desire to encourage Christian school teachers and administrators led to the development of the nationally recognized Summer Institutes and Master of Arts programs for educators held on the campus of Grace College and Seminary. His work with the Summer Institutes provided an opportunity for him to serve as one of the founders of the Association of Christian Schools International. He also had a passion for helping minority students achieve advanced academic degrees, and many of the students he helped are now teaching and preaching around the world. 
He was a member of the Indiana District Fellowship of Brethren Ministers, National Fellowship of Grace Brethren Ministers, past member of Warsaw Kiwanis Club and an honorary Phi Delta Kappa member.  He greatly enjoyed traveling personally and professionally. His trips took him to many countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Through the years, other interests included flying, magic tricks, stamp collecting and bird watching.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ella Beth Kauffman Male, Tecumseh; and their four daughters:  Martha (husband Jim) Hines, Saginaw, Mich.; Mary (husband Dave) Smith, Allison, Iowa; Ruth (husband Bob) Markham, Oregonia, Ohio; and Becky (husband Jim) Colman, Adrian, Mich.  He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 24 great– grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.  
He was preceded by his parents; a sister, Barbara Avery; and a son-in-law, Roy Leon Lowrie.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.  A private family graveside service will take place at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.  
A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, and officiated by Dr. James Colman.
*****
Memorials to Grace College and Seminary, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN, 46590, would be appreciated by the family.
Condolences may be sent at www.redpathfruthfuneral
home.com.
 

Ernest William “Bill” Male, 89, Tecumseh, Mich., completed his earthly journey and stepped into eternity with his Savior on Jan. 5, 2017, at Cambrian Memory Care Center in Tecumseh.  
He lived the largest portion of his life in Warsaw and Winona Lake. 
He was born on Nov. 7, 1927, in Streator, Ill., to Gordon and Mary Morrell Male.  On Sept. 3, 1950, in Mendon, Mich., he was married to Ella Beth Kauffman. She survives in Tecumseh. 
Since 1959, he was a resident of Kosciusko County, where he was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church. 
After completing his Master of Divinity degree at Grace Theological Seminary, he pastored Grace Brethren churches in several states. However, he spent most of his career as a professor and administrator at Grace College and Theological Seminary. 
He was a staunch supporter of Christian education, and his desire to encourage Christian school teachers and administrators led to the development of the nationally recognized Summer Institutes and Master of Arts programs for educators held on the campus of Grace College and Seminary. His work with the Summer Institutes provided an opportunity for him to serve as one of the founders of the Association of Christian Schools International. He also had a passion for helping minority students achieve advanced academic degrees, and many of the students he helped are now teaching and preaching around the world. 
He was a member of the Indiana District Fellowship of Brethren Ministers, National Fellowship of Grace Brethren Ministers, past member of Warsaw Kiwanis Club and an honorary Phi Delta Kappa member.  He greatly enjoyed traveling personally and professionally. His trips took him to many countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Through the years, other interests included flying, magic tricks, stamp collecting and bird watching.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ella Beth Kauffman Male, Tecumseh; and their four daughters:  Martha (husband Jim) Hines, Saginaw, Mich.; Mary (husband Dave) Smith, Allison, Iowa; Ruth (husband Bob) Markham, Oregonia, Ohio; and Becky (husband Jim) Colman, Adrian, Mich.  He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 24 great– grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.  
He was preceded by his parents; a sister, Barbara Avery; and a son-in-law, Roy Leon Lowrie.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.  A private family graveside service will take place at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.  
A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, and officiated by Dr. James Colman.
*****
Memorials to Grace College and Seminary, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN, 46590, would be appreciated by the family.
Condolences may be sent at www.redpathfruthfuneral
home.com.
 
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