Donald F. Andrews

On Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, Donald F. Andrews took his last earthly breath. He passed away at the Accura Nursing Home in Milford surrounded by the love and prayers of his beloved wife, Camille, his son, David Andrews, and his daughter, Lorisa Smith.

Memorial services will take place Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Spencer. A celebration of life will follow the service at 2:30 p.m. at Oneota Park in Spencer.

Don was born on Aug. 7, 1946, to Milton and Thelma (Cline) Andrews in Chicago, Illinois. He had one older sister, Mary Manz. The family moved to Round Lake, Illinois, when Don was 2 years old. He graduated from Round Lake High School in 1965. Don received his Bachelor of Arts degree from William Penn University in Oskaloosa on May 27, 1968. He earned his Master of Ministry degree from the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana, on June 10, 1973. Donald went on to receive his Doctorate in Philosophy in theology from the Christian Bible College & Seminary School in Independence, Missouri, on Dec. 20, 1992.

Throughout his life, Don was blessed to experience many things, including witnessing the Cubs win a World Series, fulfilling his childhood dream career, and most importantly, being married to the love of his life for 53 years. Don fell in love with Camille Swan the moment he heard her sing. He fondly reminisced about walking into church while Camille was singing "Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul" by Andy Harsant. Don would explain that he knew from that moment on that Camille was meant to be in his life for its entirety. Don and Camille were married on Aug. 12, 1967, at the Rogers City First Baptist Church in Rogers City, Michigan.

Don was called to the ministry at 9 years old. He served as a pastor in the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) for over 40 years in Iowa, Indiana, Oklahoma, Illinois and Colorado. He then served three years with the United Methodist Church in Kansas and an additional eight years as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Webb. In 2019, Donald was baptized in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he served as a guest pastor for several years. In total, Donald served his various communities for over 50 years.

Donald was the spiritual leader of his family. He guided us with grace through tough times and led us into celebration during beautiful moments. He taught his family and flock alike that the first step to getting where we are meant to be is to rely on God's power. His lessons in trust will remain with those he taught for years to come because he taught us to be F.R.O.G.s (fully relying on God). These lessons will reverberate through his family for generations to come.

He leaves behind his wife, Camille Andrews; children, David Andrews and Lorisa and Steve Smith; grandchildren, Zachary and Cheyenne (Bean) Wissbaum, Megan Wissbaum, Cheyanna and Caitlyn Smith, and Elizabeth Andrews; and great-grandchildren, Brayden and Connor Wissbaum.

The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.