Our beloved father, Pastor Earl W. Reff, 71, Pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church on Arsenal Street, stepped into the wonder of heaven on Sunday, Feb. 24th, surrounded by his loving family. He had been a patient at the Samaritan Medical Center since Feb. 13th.
Family and friends are invited to gather with us to honor his life on Friday, at 11am, at the Fellowship Baptist Church with calling hours on Thursday evening from 7-9pm.
The youngest of six children, Earl was born November 28th, 1947, in Clayton, the son of Earl Franklin and Louise Harding Calhoun Reff. In his youth he attended Lyme Central School in Chaumont.
Cherished husband of 52 years, he married his sweetheart and love, Linda Corwin, on April 15th, 1967, at the Clayton Methodist Church.
Earl worked for Morrison’s Furniture for nearly 20 years before following God’s calling on his life to enter the ministry. He attended Spurgeon Baptist Bible College in Mulberry, Florida, graduating in 1995. After graduation the Lord guided his steps back to Watertown, and he became the Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in November of 1995.
A life abundantly blessed, he was a kind and compassionate man who loved and was loved by many. He was a man who invested himself in people and shared his great faith not only through his words, but by the actions of his life. He enjoyed wood working and carving, playing his guitar, hunting, fishing and watching the birds on his back deck. He was the Dean at Moose River Baptist Youth Camp for many years, where he was always in the midst of the activities with the children and was a favorite target of the “dunking booth”. To his own children he is most remembered for making time for the little things and being available for the big things.
Surviving besides his wife Linda are three daughters, Lorrie (Philip) Weber of Lyons Falls, Lisa Cordero of Watertown, and Tammy (Robert) Stoudt of Watertown; nine grandchildren; five great grandchildren; five sisters, Nancy Walters of Rochester, Carol Happ of Batavia, Joyce Reed of Albion, Rosalyn Goutremont of Chaumont, and Norma Zanker of Tennessee; nieces and nephews; two Aunts, Gloria Calhoun and Clara (Polly) Reff.
Sandra and William Main
Lorrie, Lisa, Tammy, and Linda, and family
Our hearts are joining you in celebrating of the passing of your dad, husband into the loving arms of Jesus. We are lifting you in prayer for comfort and peace. Sending hugs to you.
Merton, Donna & Nehemiah Parks
Away from this world into the glory of the next. God is glorified in the life of Pastor and Brother Reff. Love, prayers and all the Lord’s blessings to Linda, the Reff family, the Fellowship Baptist Church family and Moose River Baptist Youth Camp family, as we share a great loss and also find the closeness of the Lord in these times.
Lana Schultz
I was blessed and honored to be acquainted with Pastor Reff and Linda when I attended church with my daughter Becky Huffman and her family when we visited. I know Pastor Reff is in a great place we with his Heavenly Father. May God provide you with peace and comfort in knowing that.
Irma Ramon
Linda & Family. How my heart desires to be with you all at this time but I’m unable to fly out. Pastor Reff was a huge blessing to me & my family at a time where our hearts were grieved by a separate situation outside of the church. But he gave us great counsel & offered to minister to us while we healed. It wasn’t only his Godly wisdom but also his loving Christian heart that he extended to us. From being our pastor, at the time, to being a friend, you made a big impression of what a Godly man should be. This world will miss you but our loss is heavens gain for all eternity. We WILL see Pastor Reff again. With much love. Prayers for comfort & strength through these times.
Joyce Wharton
Lorrie and family -so sorry for your loss. Take comfort that is no longer suffering and is at peace. God Bless
Randall Chovan
May the God of all comfort(2Cor. 1) minister to the family in ways no earthy being could. We will miss Pastor Reff. He was a great friend and partner in ministry. God bless family, friends and Fellowship Baptist Church at this time,
Evangelist and Mrs. Randy Chovan
Katelynn Marie Zeno-Medina
My heart goes out to all. Pastor Reff was an amazing man. I am so sorry for your loss. God bless.
Cathy Armstrong
Praying for you all as you will certainly miss him and his loving touch in your lives. I can only imagine the celebration of life he is experiencing now in his new body and in the presence of his Heavenly Father and all that welcomed him home.
Louise Anderson
Linda and Family. My heart is sad for Earl’s passing but joyful We will see him again! Praying for you during this difficult time, as well as the church family. He was a good pastor and will always be remembered by me.