Orla O Blair

BLAIR, Orla O.
Of Richland Orla O.Blair, 91, of Richland, Michigan was welcomed March 25th into the presence of Jesus Christ, whom he loved and faithfully served. Orla was born July 9th 1917 to Lillian and Harry Blair of Chillicothe, Illinois. He attended Moody Bible Institute, graduated in 1937 and then entered the Evangelical Free Church Seminary, graduating in 1941. Orla married his sweetheart from Moody, Marguerite Carlson in 1941 and together they served the Lord for 31/2 years, founding the Evangelical Free Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Feeling called to serve the Lord overseas, they departed for Rhodesia Zimbabwe Africa in 1946 where they opened a work in the Zambezi Valley. Over the course of 30 years, Orla faithfully served as church planter, field chairman and director of the Bible Correspondence School. Upon returning to the States, Orla joined the Calvary Bible Church staff and for several years served as pastor to the senior adults. He was married for 67 years, and is survived by his loving wife, Marguerite, son, David Stephanie, daughers, Bonnalyn Richard Martinson, Janice Steve Gerali and Charlene Dann Spader, 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Evangelical Alliance Mission, Karanda Hospital in Zimbabwe. Visitation will be at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. on Friday from 5-8 p.m. and a memorial celebration of Orla's life at Calvary Bible Church, 855 S. Drake Rd. on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.