Cambridge City, IN – Rev. Dr. Morris J. (Jon) Morgan, 98, of Cambridge City, died at Friends Fellowship on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 with family and friends.
He was born on December 21, 1917, the first child of Armour and Leah Beckelhymer Morgan on the family farm near Perrysville, IN. Morris was raised in a loving family built of faith, God, values, a supportive church, extended family, and community. He graduated from Perrysville High School in 1936 and then in 1940 from DePauw University where he was a 4 year Rector scholar. He completed Boston University School of Theology in 1943 and in 1945 with a PH.D in philosophy of religion. He was an ordained deacon and elder in the Northwest Indiana Conference of the Methodist Church.
On December 25, 1941 he married Ruth Faucett and they were happily married for almost 47 years. He served as pastor at Covington, IN Methodist Church at his 1st charge after graduating with the PH.D, only miles from his family home. From 1947 thru 1971 he was an university professor in Iowa, Ohio, Kansas, South Dakota, Minnesota and Ball State University. Then from 1971 until retirement he was the pastor at Dunkirk-Bethel, Selma and Lincolnville United Methodist Churches. Morris completed the chaplain course at Methodist and University Hospital.
In retirement Dr. Jon was active in the evening Kiwanis, served as pastor at Straughn Community Chapel, served as interim at First United Methodist Church in Cambridge City, honored to be pastor emeritus, helped start and then served on the Western Wayne Ministers Association. He also volunteered over 20 years as chaplain at Reid Hospital.
Along with others researched the 1814 Doddridge Community Chapel and cemetery and was active in getting it on the National Register of Historic Places. Dr. Jon was a mentor, unique listener, so very patient all his life, and an encourager to younger pastors, students and to all of us. People of all ages who were touched by his gentle soul and warm welcoming presence. Dr. Jon also could discover fun and delight in the most simple of things. He continued in finding the positive through his strong faith and was very flexible whenever things changed in his life.
Dr. Jon enjoyed sharing facts about Abraham Lincoln with grade school students and left each with a Lincoln penny to help recall those facts. He enjoyed reading, gardening, traveling and working on jigsaw puzzles. Throughout his life he had a keen interest in exploring and studying new things. He truly enjoyed each individual person he met and how special each one was.
Morris will be remembered by his daughter, Michelle Morgan of Indianapolis; sister, Martha Meade of Centennial, CO; Loving sister-in-law, Margaret Morgan of Hooceston, IL and Dorothy Morgan of Perryville, IN; special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife, Ruth Faucett Morgan on Dec. 19, 1988; his 18 month old son, David Mark Morgan and his brothers, Wayne and Gerald Morgan.
The family would like to thank the Cambridge City area community; each of the special, caring and supportive staff at both Friends Fellowship, volunteers, residents and their family and friends and the Aserea Caring Team and also Meridain St. United Methodist Church.
Friends may call from 4 until 7 pm on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016 at Waskom Capitol Hill Chapel in Cambridge City. A celebration and praise to God for his constant faithfulness, love and presence in each of our lives as we remember Morris (Dr. Jon) Morgan’s life in God’s Joy will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Cambridge City with Pastor Jeff Shafer and Chaplain Sandra Ward-Angell will be officiating. Burial will be at Zions Lutheran Cemetery in Pershing.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to First United Methodist Church of Cambridge City or OMI at Friends Fellowship or the Golay Community Center.