Ronald Merlin Abbas, a pastor, died August 28. He was 90.
Ronald attended Omaha Baptist Bible Institute (now Faith Baptist Bible College), where he met Beverly Clewell. After he completed his four years of college in the pastoral course, they were married on June 29, 1957, at Grandview Park Baptist Church in Des Moines.
His first place of ministry was at First Baptist Church, Brayton, Iowa, where was ordained. He then served as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Oskaloosa, Iowa, and then North Court Baptist Church, Ottumwa, Iowa. While serving at North Court Baptist Church, this church became a mother church of two new churches, Faith Baptist Church, Fairfield, Iowa, and Calvary Baptist Church, Burlington, Iowa. His last pastorate was in Bloomfield, Iowa, before retiring. He also served as the director of Iowa Regular Baptist Camp, Ventura, Iowa, for 15 years.
In retirement he served as interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Unionville, Iowa; Faith Baptist Church, Fairfield, Iowa; and Mark Baptist Church, Mark, Iowa; and he filled the pulpit for churches without a pastor. In each of these places that he was called to serve, he saw God’s definite hand of leading. Even though he often felt very inadequate for the task, he could see God’s hand of blessing. He considered having been able to serve the Lord through these years as a blessing and a privilege.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; their two children, Jolynn (Eric) Kelley and Tim Abbas; three granddaughters; seven great-grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren.
