Anita Brechbill

LEWISBURG – Anita Kathryn Brechbill, 91, formerly of Philadelphia and Mifflinburg, was promoted to glory on April 25, 2015 in the Riverwoods Nursing Home where she resided since 2006. She was born on July 21, 1923 in Garrett, Indiana, a daughter of the late Albert H. And Cora (Miller) Brechbill.

Anita attended Messiah Bible College Academy and completed training in medical technology at Philadelphia Graduate Hospital of University of Pennsylvania. She was employed as a laboratory technician for 20 years at Philadelphia Episcopal Hospital.

While living in Philadelphia at the Brethren in Christ Mission on North Second St. She experienced a definite conversion experience which changed the direction of her life.

Soon after her conversion she felt the Lord calling her to give her life to missionary work. The next 44 years were spent as a city missionary. She never married but gave her life entirely for God’s service using her God given talents to this cause. For 30 years she served on the staff of the GOSPEL WORDS AND MUSIC Radio Broadcast. She sang in a duo, known as the Melody Sisters. She also served as editor of Around Our Church column in the monthly Gospel paper called THE GOSPEL WITNESS. She was a co-laborer to Rev. & Mrs. William L. Rosenberry.

After her retirement and the decease of Rev. Rosenberry, she joined the staff of the Evangelical Wesleyan Mission in Key West, FL, an organization with missionary work in several foreign countries. She traveled to various countries in Central America, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bahamas Islands, Dominica, Haiti, and Mexico. She also traveled to most of the 50 states in the USA.

In 1996 she founded a Prayer Network called ROPEHOLDERS. This grew to be a 12 page publication with 1800 subscribers. For 10 year she directed this prayer ministry from her apartment in Mifflinburg, PA. She also spear-headed the making of Scripture plaques from old greeting cards. Missionaries supplied the scriptures in the language of the country where they were working. Records show over 100,000 of these plaques and related items have been made in 10 languages.

Anita also enjoyed writing, maintaining a large correspondence all her life, keeping in touch with friends for over 70 years. Retirement provided time for freelance writing. Several small books of Christian biography were published and for several years a monthly column called THE QUIET HOUR, was edited in the GODS REVIVALIST, official publication of Gods Bible School in Cincinnati, OH. She also wrote on a regular basis for the bi-monthly Holiness periodical, THE SATISFYING PORTION as well as a variety of other religious papers. She also gave dramatic readings from memory on various occasions. These included John Bunyan’s PILGRIM PROGRESS and THE HOLY WAR, also a story of first Century Christianity, MARTYR OF THE CATACOMBS.

In 2006, due to declining health she moved to Riverwoods Retirement Center, Lewisburg, PA. Here she enjoyed singing and playing the piano for residents and praying with them.

At the time of her death she was a member of the Millmont Gods Missionary Church, but for several years attended the New Columbia Gods Missionary Church.

Surviving are two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert K. and Violet Brechbill of Independence, Kansas, and Dr. Joseph A. and Lois Brechbill of Hershey; one sister, Frances B. Ulery of Orlando, Florida, one brother-in-law, Warren Pearce of Maitland, Florida, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her step-mother, Naomi Brechbill, brother Rev. Earl Brechbill, half-brother, John Franklin Brechbill, two sisters, Ruth Lehman and Esther Pearce.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Mission Helps, Inc., 139 Briar Hill Rd., Lititz, PA 17543.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday from 6-8 PM at the Roupp Funeral Home, 8594 Old Turnpike Rd., Mifflinburg and Thursday from 9-11 AM at the New Columbia Gods Missionary Church, 852 Ridge Rd. New Columbia, PA where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Harry F. Plank, Conference President and Rev. Arlan L. Kratz officiating. Burial will follow in the Grantham Memorial Park Cemetery, 2535 Pheasant Dr. Grantham, PA