BERTRAND, Mo. -- Roy Richard Blumenberg Sr., 93, of Bertrand, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at Bertrand Nursing Center.

He was born July 12, 1914, in Allenville, son of Louis Lee and Ella Sophia Eggimann Blumenberg.

The Blumenberg family moved to Mississippi County in 1922 when Roy was 8 years old. He spent most of his life since then in Mississippi County. The Rev. Blumenberg was a farmer most of his life and a faithful servant of God since his conversion at Pulltight Church of God sometime in the 1950s. Roy was saved under the ministry of his brother-in-law, Linvel Arington, who was a great encouragement to him, a good friend and spiritual brother.

In his retirement years Blumenberg served as pastor of Mounds Church of God and had an extensive ministry to patients in hospitals and nursing homes of Southeast Missouri. No doubt many of those who were saved through his ministry are now welcoming him home to heaven.

In 1936 Roy was married to Catherine Virginia Brock, and they had a son, Charles Lloyd Blumenberg, who preceded him in death.

On April 12, 1939, Roy was married to Mollie Callie Arington in Anniston, Mo. She was his faithful companion for more than 65 years. They lived briefly in Rochelle, Ill., Ontario, Calif., and Elkhart, Ind., but spent most of their lives in Mississippi County, working together on the farm.

After raising six children together, Mollie went home to be with the Lord July 31, 2004, and Roy has been awaiting the time he could join her. Their reunion in heaven is no doubt a time of great joy. They were both members at Pulltight Church of God and East Prairie First Church of God.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Rick and Carol Blumenberg of Bridgman, Mich., Barry and Debbie Blumenberg Sr. of East Prairie, Tony and Sherry Blumenberg of Muskogee, Okla.; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Mollie Jeanne and Dallas Edwards of Olmsted, Ill., Patty Rose Krauss of Bertrand, Betty Carolyn and Jimmy Britt of Jackson; 18 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

Surviving in-laws include Linvel and Ruth Arington of Orlando, Fla., Vashti Miller Arington of East Prairie, Dalvie Arington Blumenberg of Clinton, Ky., Ozie Mae Holmes Hatton of East Prairie, Arlie and Hazel Pruitt Arington of Cucamonga, Calif., Lindsey and Allene Arington Baker of East Prairie, Billy and Marjorie Heath Arington of Dogwood, Mo., and Betty Hyslip Wiley of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Linus, Wesley, Elmer, Harding, August and Clarence; and a sister, Anna Mary.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at First Church of God in East Prairie, with sons Rick and Tony Blumenberg and Mike Worrell officiating. Burial will be in East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Louis Krauss, Barry Glenn Blumenberg Jr., Eric and Wade Skees, Chris and Matthew Britt, and Jared Blumenberg.

Shelby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to First Church of God, East Prairie.