Delbert Demorie Rose, 74, a resident of Cleveland, went to be with his Heavenly Father Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011.

He was a member of North Cleveland Church of God.

He began his professional career at Ford Motor Co. in Monroe, Mich., where he worked as a tool and die maker for 10 years.

Feeling God’s call on his life to the ministry, he served as senior pastor at the Kincaid Church of God in Kincaid, Ill., for 10 years. He also served as senior pastor at State Street Church of God in Greensboro, N.C., for two years, Warren Church of God in Warren, Mich., for two years and McDuffie Street Church of God in Anderson, S.C., for six years. He served as administrative bishop for the Church of God in North and South Dakota for four years, Kentucky for four years and in North Georgia for an unprecedented 12 consecutive years.

He served as chairman of the board of directors of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland for an unprecedented 18 years. He served as chairman of the board of directors for Northwest Bible College in Minot, N.D., for six years.

In addition he served on the Church of God Executive Council of 18 for two four-year terms. He also served on the Illinois State Youth board of directors, as well as the Peniel Ministries board of directors from 1996-2005 in Pennsylvania.

In 2000, the Rose Lecture Hall at Lee University was named in his honor. He is best remembered and respected for his deep love and commitment to God, family, friends and country, as well as his compassionate, generous and successful leadership abilities. His integrity and fairness were hallmarks of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. Harvey Luther and Lois Marie Rose; and father-in-law, the Rev. S.E. Jennings.

Survivors include his loving wife of 46 years, Saundra Rose; son, Todd Rose; daughter and son-in-law, Tanya and Welton Wriston; grandchildren: Tyler and Brittany Wriston; sisters and brothers-in-law: Colene and Fred Mercer, Peggy and Ben Nash, LaVenda and Jim Sailors and Veva Rose; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Jane Rose; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Marshall and Dorothy Roberson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harold and Miriam Woods; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, at the North Cleveland Church of God with Pastor Mitch Maloney, Dr. Mark L. Williams and the Rev. Larry Timmerman officiating.

Interment will follow in the Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Marshal Roberson, the Rev. Fred Mercer and the Rev. Jim Sailors officiating.

A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the church prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to: Cherish the Child Foundation, P.O. Box 4391, Sevierville, TN 37864 for the benefit of the children at the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home in Sevierville, TN, a ministry that Delbert loved and so faithfully supported throughout his life and ministry.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Rose family guest book at www.fikefh.com

Fike Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.