Donald Livingstone Genheimer's Obituary
Donald Livingstone Genheimer
September 7, 1928, St. Louis, Missouri - January 5, 2023, Bradenton, Florida
Don was born in St. Louis, Missouri to William and Lucinda Genheimer during their first missionary furlough from southern Africa. In early childhood, his parents raised him and his younger brother, Ronald while serving in Zululand, South Africa. The boys spoke Zulu as fluently as English, and gained fluency in Afrikaans at school and later in Setswana for Don. During a 1934 furlough to St. Louis, MO and Pomeroy, OH, Don and Ron prayed together at their mother’s knee, to accept Jesus as savior. On returning to Africa in 1936, they lived a year in Mbabane, Swaziland, attending St. Mark’s School, followed by two years in Natal, South Africa, homeschooled by their mother. When his parents were assigned to Makhowe Mission Station in Northern Zululand, Don and Ron boarded at TEAM Children’s Home in Durban, returning home for holidays. Don completed Grades 6-8, at Stellawood Government School and attended Durban Boys High School on a full scholarship, graduating in 1945.
Don continued his education at a business college and worked at a pharmacy in South Africa until after the end of the war, when he was able to return to the USA for college. In May, 1946, he sailed from Durban with his mother and brother on the Marine Tiger. His father followed in October. Don attended Harris Teacher’s College, St. Louis, MO. The following fall, he attended Wheaton College in Illinois, where he enjoyed playing on the Wheaton soccer team. He earned a limited teaching certificate and graduated with a B.A. in 1950 and a B.S. in 1951.
To fund their college education, Don and Ron bought a truck and started their own moving business, the first of 57 vehicles he owned in his lifetime, which he loved to list and recall. He gained the skill of driving on the right and on the left side of the road, sometimes even driving on the left side roads of South Africa and Botswana in a left-hand-drive vehicle, brought from the states.
While at Wheaton, Don met and fell in love with Eileen Meschke. They committed their relationship and plans to God, and agreed that God was directing them to join their lives and to serve as missionaries to South Africa. They married on March 27, 1951 at Eileen’s home church in Minnesota.
In November, 1951, they sailed to Durban, beginning their missionary service at the Evangelical Teacher Training College in Vryheid, Natal, South Africa with SAGM. Don served as a professor, board member and president. Patricia and Peter were born during these years in Vryheid. In 1956, they spent a year in Rusitu, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where Don filled in as high school principal for missionaries on furlough. Their daughter, Barbara was born there in September.
On furlough in 1957, Don studied at Detroit Bible College. Returning to South Africa in 1958, he began teaching at Johannesburg Bible Institute, and later served as board member and then as president. In 1959, Don became the Assistant Field Director of SAGM. He believed this was God’s affirmation of his gift for administrative work. During these years of ministry, son Robert and daughter Rebecca were born in Florida, South Africa. While on their next furlough, in 1963, they were based in Faribault, MN, staying with Eileen’s parents. Don continued his commitment to further education, studying (mostly via distance learning) at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL.
After returning to Johannesburg in 1964, Don resumed his position as Assistant Field Director of SAGM (renamed AEF in 1965). Wherever Don and Eileen made their home, it would be a hub of activity for youth, fellow missionaries, family and friends from near and far. He earned his small aircraft pilot’s license and flew to various mission stations to bring administrative support to the missionaries on the field. Although administrative work and preaching in township churches often took him away from home, Don enjoyed nothing more than to be with his family. When possible, he loved to take them on trips all across southern Africa, visiting game parks and seeing local attractions. He had a keen eye and passion for wild game viewing.
In 1978, Don was assigned to serve as Director of a new AEF field after being invited by Pastor Molowa to establish a ministry in Botswana. He and Eileen built a house and guest house in Gaborone, hosting many missionaries during transitions to and from their assigned fields. Don facilitated travel plans, training, including village live-in and language acquisition for many missionaries during his years as Field Director. In 1988, he was delighted to initiate his son, Bob and wife, Esther, as new missionaries in Botswana. He also helped to start Flying Mission in Botswana and served on the board.
Don and Eileen returned to the USA in 1994 for the sake of Eileen’s health. Don became a representative for SIM in the USA and led vision trips to Africa. In 1995, he began working with Barry Moore Ministries as a board member and African Crusade Director. He and Eileen were able to return to Gaborone together in 1999 so he could fill in as Field Director for a year. When they returned to the states, they lived for about a year in Minnesota and then moved to Bradenton Missionary Village (now il Villaggio) in Florida. Several of their children and grandchildren have since settled in the Bradenton area, a blessing to all of them. Don and Eileen enjoyed new and renewed friendships at The Village during their retirement, participating in bible studies, prayer meetings and weekly game nights. Don served in various roles on the Spiritual Life Committee at the village.
Another of Don’s administrative roles during retirement was as secretary on the board of J316 Ministries from May, 2009 to 2017, a commitment that was especially meaningful to him as the ministry was started by his daughter, Becky and her spouse, Butch Morley. Don’s grandson Luke, and spouse, Leah, also served in this ministry. J316 uses soccer and other sports as an outreach tool for sharing the gospel in the USA, southern Africa and other nations. In 2018, he traveled to Zimbabwe and Botswana with Butch, and grandsons Luke and Chad on a J316 mission trip. Don continued to serve on the J316 board for the remainder of his life.
On May 27, 2012, Eileen went to be with the Lord. Don continued to live and participate in the community at il Villaggio.
He married Evelyn Waller on July, 6, 2013, moving a block away to her home, also at il Villaggio. Evelyn went to be with the Lord on June 12, 2018.
On November 5, 2020, Don had a stroke affecting the right side of his body, going to Bay Vue Nursing and Rehab Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. He moved into assisted living at the Residence at Bay Vue on May 3, 2021 and then moved across the hall to a room with a view of the river on July 1. Don appreciated the help he received at Bay Vue and liked to participate in games of Bingo and Pokeno as well as occasional hymn sings. His other favorite pastime was napping - a mark of his contentment. Every day, he prayed through his list of family members, friends and supporters, a habit he and Eileen established together when they married and reflecting the primary values of his life - his faith in Jesus and his love for his family and community.
Don passed peacefully into God’s presence on Thursday, January 5, 2023. He was preceded death by his parents, William and Lucinda; infant brother, Marvin; wife Eileen; granddaughter Keren; wife Evelyn; great grandson Ezekiel. He is survived by his brother, Ron Genheimer; daughters Patty (Ralph Austen), Barb (Gavin Gatzke), and Becky (Butch Morley); sons Peter (Lorelei), Bob (Esther); 18 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Memorial gifts to J316 Ministries, www.j316ministries.com or mail checks to 298 43rd Street W,
Bradenton, FL 34209.
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