Rev. Kermit A. Zopfi, age 89, entered into glory on July 7, 2010 at his home in Dayton. Kermit was the son of the late George and Anna (Budahn) Zopfi. He was born on June 13, 1921 in Stratford, Wisconsin. He graduated from high school in Marshfield, Wisconsin and entered Bryan College after spending four years in the U.S. Coast Guard as a radio operator during the Second World War He transferred to Wheaton College (Illinois) where he would earn both a B.A. and M.A. degree.
On September 5, 1953, Kermit married Gleneale Faulks. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1954 at his home church in Marshfield, Wisconsin, and, the following year went to Germany under the Greater Europe Mission, where he served as Director of the German Bible Institute for eleven years.
Kermit returned to Bryan College in 1972 as Dean of Students and professor of German until his retirement in 1986. Kermit was an active member of Grace Bible Church in Dayton, where he served in various capacities including interim pastor, elder, missions chairman, AWANA leader, and president of the senior citizens group.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gleneale, two brothers, Randall and Howard and a sister, Virgean. He is survived by his three children, son Douglas Zopfi of Shelby Township, Michigan, son David Zopfi of Dayton, TN and daughter, Carol Brown of Hixson, brother Ralph Zopfi of Conrath, Wisconsin and the pride of his life, six granddaughters and seven great-grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made in Kermit’s memory to the Zopfi/Jensen Presidential Scholarship fund at Bryan College or the Grace Bible Church building fund.
Funeral services with military honors for Rev. Zopfi will be held Friday evening at 7:00 pm at Grace Bible Church with his pastor, Dr. Doug Russell officiating.
A family graveside service will be held Saturday morning where Kermit will be laid to rest next to his wife Gleneale in Rhea Memory Gardens in Dayton, TN.
Kermit’s family will receive friends Friday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the church.
Please share your memories of Kermit on his on-line guest register at
www.vanderwallfh.com
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The family is being served by the Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, TN. (423) 775-2662.