Reverend Merle Everett Brubaker

Celebrating the Life of Merle Everett Brubaker

May 22, 1931 – July 14, 2026

On July 14, 2026, Merle Everett Brubaker left his earthly body and is now singing with the angels. He is remembered for his integrity, his rigorous thinking, and his love for all. Merle was a source of encouragement, strength, and wisdom for everyone whose life he touched—from his family to his parishioners, colleagues, and students.

A Multifaceted Man

Merle was a wonderfully multifaceted man. He was a deeply committed follower of Jesus who eagerly welcomed conversations with people of completely different views, firmly believing there was no conflict between science and religion. He relished sharp intellectual engagement yet was utterly delighted by unstructured play with children or a quiet day outdoors in nature. He possessed a gentle, loving spirit, but also harbored a fiercely competitive streak, especially when it came to ping pong, tennis, racquetball, or touch football!

He was a man of great wisdom, quick wit, and deep respect. As a young pastor in California during the 1960s, Merle was strongly chastised for advocating for the ordination of women "before the church was ready." He steadfastly maintained his support, later reflecting on that era with his trademark humor: “The only thing worse than being wrong is being right 20 years too soon!”

His daughters fondly recall that they knew their father would support them in becoming whatever they wanted to be. That empowering love extended to his nieces and nephews, as one niece shared, “I always knew that Uncle Merle was interested in what I had to say.”

From Pennsylvania Farms to the Pulpit and Classroom

Born in Granville, Pennsylvania, to Allen Graybill Brubaker and Barbara Musser Hess Brubaker, Merle faced early heartache, losing his mother just a month after his fifth birthday. He spent much of his childhood with his Aunt Rhoda and Uncle Jacob Brubaker. Despite long separations from his brothers, he maintained contact by writing letters, especially to his older brother, Hess.

Raised on a Pennsylvania farm, Merle’s early chores included milking cows, collecting eggs, and keeping mother pigs from lying on their piglets. As a teenager, he even made the local newspaper, pictured in a massive field picking tomatoes destined for Campbell’s V8 juice. He carried this love of the land into adulthood, happily tending gardens and donating fresh vegetables from his homes in Dillsburg and Messiah Village.

Merle’s life changed forever at Messiah Academy, when he met Ila Oakes. Their friendship blossomed into a lifelong love. They both attended Messiah College and Upland College, marrying on June 29, 1951. Just a few weeks before his passing, Merle and Ila celebrated a remarkable 75 years of marriage.

Merle went on to become a beloved pastor to five Brethren in Christ (BIC) congregations:

California: Chino and Sunnymead

Ohio: Amherst Community

Pennsylvania: Grantham and Lancaster

He also served as Dean of Students for Upland College in the 1960s and the Philadelphia campus of Messiah College in the 1970s. In the 1980s, he traveled for the BIC denomination, helping churches navigate capital building programs and other challenges with grace and wisdom.

A dedicated member of the BIC Mission Board, his faith took him across the globe to the UK, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Instead of flying to annual church conference each year, Merle would pack up his family in their station wagon and drive there. This afforded his children wonderful memories, including a song they created together, "We are going on a trip, clear 66 because here we come!"

A Lifelong Teacher, Pastor, and Singer

Merle earned a master’s degree in philosophy from Temple University in the 1970s, where he loved engaging in friendly informal debates with secular professors and peers. In the 1990s and 2000s, he found immense joy teaching Introduction to Philosophy at Messiah College. He enjoyed challenging his students, purposefully requesting the time-consuming, writing-intensive courses so he could help students sharpen their critical thinking skills.

Merle was an exceptional speaker and writer. His sermons were practical, engaging, and never too long. He wrote for Brethren in Christ History and Life and had insightful letters to the editor published in major journals like Christianity Today. He also coached championship Bible Quiz teams at Amherst Community Church in the 1960s and at Grantham in his 80’s  and loved every minute!

Music was another of Merle's great passions. A teenage solo competitor and college quartet singer, he blessed many with his beautiful and resonant baritone voice. Whether directing a small church choir or singing duets with Ila during church visits, he constantly encouraged others to find their own voice.

Family and Legacy

Merle is survived by his beloved wife, Ila, residing at Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg, PA, and by three of their children: Jeanie Stretton (Sam) of West Chester, PA, Joy Derck (Randy) of Palmyra, PA, and David Brubaker (Mert) of Harrisonburg, VA

He is also survived by his sister, Lois Lehman of Mechanicsburg, as well as six grandchildren (along with the spouses he warmly welcomed into the family), seven great-grandchildren, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Merle was reunited in heaven with his beloved son, Darrel, who died in 1991, his parents, and his four brothers: A. Hess, A. Graybill, J. Milford (Mel), and Stanley Brubaker.

Services

A Celebration of Life service will be held to honor Merle's memory:

Date: Sunday, August 2, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM (Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM) You can use the youtube link below to view the livestream of the service. 

https://youtube.com/live/promGEerlp0?feature=shared

A private graveside service for family members is planned. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Benevolent Fund at Messiah Lifeways: https://www.messiahlifeways.org/giving/donate/.  The family wishes to give special thanks to the staff of Messiah Lifeways for their outstanding professional and compassionate care.