By Mary Owen
For the past 25 years, LeRoy Tabler has shared his beliefs with hundreds of seniors.
“My life was changed when I got saved watching Billy Graham on television,” said Tabler, 78. He and his wife Dolores have five children, 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
“I have been a Christian for 52 years,” added Tabler, who moved to Oregon from California in 1968, living in Scio, Albany and now Stayton. “I’ve been involved in Sunday schools and churches, teaching and preaching the word of God.”
Tabler started sharing with seniors at Marian Estates in Sublimity and is now retiring from holding Sunday services at Lakeside Retirement Village in Stayton.
“A pastor friend of mine, Clyde Freeman, and his wife were living in McKillip, which is part of the Marian Estates, and he asked me to come and do a church service on Sunday for them,” he said. “So I tried it out, prayed about it, and then ended up doing it for about 20 years.”
Bob and Karen Meyer of Stayton acted as relief pastors at Lakeside once a month for about four years, Tabler said.
“And then they took over the ministry, and I have relieved them once a month for the last two years,” Tabler said.
The Meyers are also retiring from Lakeside.
“Physical problems are making it more difficult to carry on,” said Bob, 85. His wife, Karen, is 71.
The Meyers started almost 30 years ago ministering to seniors while in California.
They ministered at several senior homes in Salem and started working with Tabler about 14 years ago, Karen said.
“We all become like family,” Bob said. “It’s such a blessing to be with Christians who have been Christians all their lives and those who are just learning. We just love everyone and will miss them all.”
Singing familiar hymns was a highlight for the Meyers, and a part of every Sunday service.
“We open with prayer and sing hymns, have a time for prayer requests and prayer, and preach a 10- to 15-minute sermon, dismiss in prayer, and greet everyone,” Tabler said. “I’ve done a few funerals and made visits to their rooms to pray with them.”
Tabler said the residents are always glad to see him.
“They put up with my mistakes and tell me how great I did, and it’s the only place at my age they still call me the kid,” he shared. “It boosts my faith to see them respond to the word of God and accept Christ in their lives, and try harder to share Christ with their friends.”
Tabler added that if another pastor or layperson stepped forward to take over Sunday services, he would consider remaining as relief pastor.
“I hope and pray that someone will take over the ministry from the Meyers,” he said.
“We still haven’t had anyone step up yet,” Karen added. “Please keep this in your prayers.”
To help at Lakeside, call Pastor Bob Meyer at 503-769-7937 or Pastor LeRoy Tabler at 503-769-3219 .
