Gerald Selby

G. LeRoy Selby, age 96, passed away in his sleep, September 11, 2011 at home in Walla Walla, Washington. Graveside services will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, September 23, 2011 at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. The family will receive friends at the Jones Eden Funeral Home from 12:30 until 1:15 p.m. Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or 2011 Flood Relief Work in Pakistan or charity of donor's choice. Online condolences may be sent for LeRoy's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. LeRoy was born in Wauneta, Nebraska to Harvey and Louida Selby and lived in that area as a child. Even though he was raised on a farm, he always claimed to know little about farming. He spent much time at his grandparents as a child and loved the extra attention from his grandmother. After graduation from high school in Benkelman, Nebraska, LeRoy attended Denver Bible Institute and sold shoes for a living. He graduated from Sterling College in Kansas and from Pittsburgh Xenia Seminary and obtained a master's degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, in 1955 while on furlough. In 1947, he married Ila Mae Darnel and settled in Alexandria, Pennsylvania where he pastured a church while completing seminary. After he was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church, they applied for missionary work in a section of India, which became Pakistan before they arrived in 1949. Their first daughter was born while they were waiting for travel to be arranged and was six months old when they sailed from the United States, subsequently three more daughters were born in Pakistan and their one and only beloved son was born in Iowa on their first furlough. They were first stationed in Gujranwala and Lyallpur followed by various other locations in Pakistan, with brief furloughs in the United States from 1949 to 1980, when LeRoy retired for the first time. During these years, LeRoy worked with pastors in the local churches and spent winter months in camps, working with the local pastor (who served several villages). In the last years, he was working with low caste Hindu group, Fagirs who wanted their children to be educated. In 1971, his beloved wife, Ila Mae, passed away due to cancer. LeRoy left many friends in Pakistan. LeRoy loved music. Family would gather around him at the piano and sing hymns, psalms, and worship songs. LeRoy and Anita enjoyed playing together, LeRoy at the piano and Anita on the organ. LeRoy leaves behind, his wife, Anita; five children, Mary Johnson and husband David of Midway City, California; Becky Yoder and husband Denny of Wellman, Iowa; Jerry Selby and wife Lois of Indianola, Iowa; Esther Eshbaugh and husband Rick of Harvey, North Dakota; Janet Schoessler and husband Jack of College Place, Washington; three step children, Jerry Landau and wife Joan of Longview, Washington; Marcia Engeln and husband Rich of Fresno, California; Dan Landau and wife Joyce of Gradview, Washington; 18 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Ila Mae; one brother Don and one sister Fern.