Foster services

Mr. Foster died Sunday, March 13, 2005, from injuries received in an automobile accident near Effingham, Ill.

He was born Feb. 11, 1932, in Fancher, Ill., the son of Homer D. and Berniece Huston Foster. He graduated from Greenville College in Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts in ministry. He received a Master of Arts in marriage and family counseling from Azusa Pacific College in California. He later received a doctorate in church administration from Claremont School of Theology in Southern California. He had lived in Lawrence since 1998.

Mr. Foster was a retired senior pastor of Lawrence Free Methodist Church. He also had served congregations in Illinois, Downey, Calif., and Denver and at the Seattle Pacific University Church. He was superintendent for the Northwest Conference of the Free Methodist Church for nine years. He was bishop of the Free Methodist denomination for 12 years and received the honor of bishop emeritus when he retired. As a church representative he spoke in more than 60 countries. He also served on the board of directors for several organizations.

He married Joy Clark on Oct. 4, 1952, in Alton, Ill. She survives, of the home.

Other survivors include three daughters, Kathleen Litton, Walnut, Calif., and LaDon Birk and Coleen Jeffery, both of Denver; a son, David, Battle Creek, Mich.; a sister, Ruth Cullum, Encinitas, Calif.; and nine grandchildren.

The family will receive friends after the services Saturday at the church.

The family suggests memorials to Hope Africa University, sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

E-mail condolences may be sent to info@warrenmcelwain.com, subject: Foster.