At 4:29 p.m. on Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24, 2017, Rev. David Glenn Kushman, 73, passed away peacefully in his bed and is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior. He is rejoicing with Jesus Christ and spending his first Christmas in Heaven!
David was born in Marinette, Wisconsin, on July 12, 1944, to Glenn A. and Erma (Buckley) Kushman. The first two years of his life were lived on the Kushman farm where David’s dad worked part-time for his grandfather. As he grew older, there were opportunities for him to use farm equipment, which he thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated, as well as work on the farm for his neighbors.
In 1962, David graduated from Thompson High School in Bellevue, Ohio. He then enrolled at Staunzenburger College where he studied to become a mechanical draftsman. About the time of his graduation from high school, his dad had a serious accident on the farm. To help provide income for the family, he left Staunzenburger and returned home to work at Central Soya where he unloaded train grain cars.
It was during this time in his life of watching his dad suffer that he realized he needed God in his own life. By his bed one night in October of 1962, David called out to God to change him and give him what was lacking in his life. The Lord was faithful and answered his prayer in an instant. At that same time, he felt the Lord lead him to attend Kentucky Mountain Bible Institute (KMBI), which he began in January of 1963. While at KMBI, David met Phyllis Cox. They dated all through Bible school and married on July 7, 1967. That fall, they started pastoring at Turkey, Kentucky. Through the ministry of a missionary couple, David and Phyllis sensed God leading them to go to Bolivia, South America, as missionaries. With some additional years of study at Vennard College to prepare for the mission field, they graduated in 1970.
In September of 1970, their first child, Brian David, was born and, three weeks later, they began traveling to raise support to go to Bolivia. After a year in language study in San Jose, Costa Rica, David and Phyllis began their ministry in Bolivia in April of 1972. Nine months after arriving in Bolivia, they welcomed their daughter, Bethany Dawn, into their family. They returned to the States and, in December of 1974, another daughter, Brenda Darlene, was born into their family.
David and Phyllis returned to Bolivia for a short term before transferring to Argentina in December of 1977. The Lord led them back to the States in 1982 and David accepted a position to work as Director of Candidate Services at World Gospel Mission’s headquarters in Marion. He worked there for fourteen years.
Following his years with WGM, David pastored at Pioneer Faith Evangelical Church in Marion, Wabash Valley Community Church in Sullivan, and finally at Ligonier Evangelical Church in Ligonier. In 2010, David retired from the pastorate and he and Phyllis moved back to Marion into a house that they and Brian had remodeled.
A few years into retirement, David received word that he had stage 4 cancer, as well as the beginnings of Parkinson’s disease. These diseases eventually took over his physical body, but they did not destroy his spirit. His soul now lives on eternally, and he is at rest in the arms of his Lord and Savior.
David’s family was of utmost importance to him, and he cherished his time with them, especially in those latter months of his life. He was the family’s patriarch and, because of the great heritage and example he set for his family, he was blessed to see each of them have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. They look forward to one day seeing him again!
He is survived by his loving and faithful wife, Phyllis, with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage this past July; his mother, Erma Kushman; his children, Brian (Paula) Kushman, Marion, Bethany (Paul) Swanson, California, and Brenda (Bill) Clayton, South Carolina; grandchildren, Wesley (fiancé Elisha) Kushman, Madison (Matt) Jones, Josiah Kushman, Isaiah Swanson, Elena Swanson, Michael Haile, and Katelyn Haile; siblings, Betty (Randy) Waller, Woodstock, Illinois, Barbara (Duane) Erickson, Michigan, and Don Kushman, Illinois.
His father, Glenn, preceded him in death.
There will be a memorial visitation from 10-11 a.m. with a memorial service for David beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2017, at Chapel Pike Wesleyan Church, 2171 W. Chapel Pike, Marion, IN. Pastor Steve Colter and Dr. Bruce Moyer will be officiating with burial taking place at a later date at Gardens of Memory.
Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Memorial contributions may be directed to World Gospel Mission (#05499), P.O. Box 948, Marion, IN 46952-0948.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.