Minister Edmund Joseph Justus, 81

Minister Edmund Joseph Justus, 81, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, at his home near Bonners Ferry.

Funeral services were held Sunday at Mountain View Mennonite Church in Bonners Ferry with interment following at Mountain View Mennonite Cemetery.

Eddie was born Jan. 2, 1927, in Chicago to Phillip and Eugenia Brockley Justus.

Early in his life, Eddie, with his family, moved to Bonners Ferry. He grew to manhood on the family farm, enjoying many happy times working, hunting and fishing with his brother, Philip.

Eddie met the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, by Minister Ed Frank on Dec. 5, 1945. This faith was precious to him all of his life.

Eddie married Nettie Amoth on Feb. 22, 1948. Their home was blessed with three sons and three daughters. God gave them more than 56 beautiful years together.

Dad’s commitment to the Lord and the church led his family to believe with him that giving their lives to the Lord would lead to true peace and joy.

Eddie was ordained to the gospel ministry on Nov. 5, 1953, by Minister John A. Koehn. The ministry was the center of Dad’s life, and he loved to share the gospel message with those he met.

Dad was a dairy farmer, providing well for the needs of his family. He enjoyed all aspects of nature, often relating to them in a spiritual way.

Mom passed away Dec. 7, 2004, leaving Dad very lonely. God provided another companion for him, and on Nov. 13, 2005, he married Phyllis Harms Unruh, blending two families. They enjoyed nearly three years together, making many happy memories.

Eddie is lovingly remembered by his wife Phyllis, and their children Carol Isaac, Millersburg, Ohio; Richard and Sandra, both of Bonners Ferry; Beth and Walt Giesbrecht, Charlie and Karen, and Barb and John Unruh, all of Othello, Wash.; David of Wasilla, Alaska; Marj Seaman Justus of Dumas, Ark.; Roger and Jane Unruh of Paris, Texas; Gale and June Unruh of Fountain Run, Ky.; Diane and Stanton Redger of Lakin, Kansas; and Denise and Wayne Faircloth of Guntersville, Ala..

Also surviving are grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, many friends, a brother Phillip, and sisters-in-law Marie Beauchamp, Eva Jantz, and Elsie Toews and her husband, Norman.

Eddie’s wife Nettie, his parents, a son-in-law and a great-grandchild preceded him in death.