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Brigadier Ethel Lola Brewer
Brigadier Ethel Lola Brewer was promoted to Glory on Nov. 1, 2010, from Escondido, Calif.
Ethel was born on Dec. 15, 1917, one of 10 children born to Fred and Sarah Brewer; three more children were born to Fred and Ellen, her stepmother.
In 1936 Ethel entered the School for Officer Training in Chicago, following in her parents’ footsteps. While in training, she set a long-standing record for selling the War Cry in Chicago’s saloons.
She was commissioned in 1937 with the Guardians of the Covenant Session.
Ethel served in various corps appointments until 1942 when she was appointed to the training college in Chicago. She later held appointments at divisional headquarters and Central Territorial Headquarters, serving in the editorial department, public relations department, youth department and education department.
Ethel transferred to the Southern Territory where she served for two years as candidates’ director until her relocation to the National Headquarters publication department. She finished her active career as the Christian education and publications director for the Western Territory.
During her career, Ethel wrote many of the territorial corps cadet lessons and Bible correspondence courses. In all her appointments she was active in corps, divisional and territorial songster groups, and she played the piano and organ whenever the need arose.
Ethel received her B.A. and M.A. in Christian education, completing her studies at McCormick Theological Seminary in 1970.
In retirement, Ethel served as secretary to the Southern California divisional commander. Also during this time she did graduate studies in gerontology at the University of Southern California.
Ethel is survived by her brother, Buzz Brewer, and many nieces and nephews.
Lt. Colonel Alfred Van Cleef will officiate a memorial service—supported by Major Darren Trimmer—at the Murrieta (Calif.) Corps on January 22, 2011, followed by a private internment in The Salvation Army section at Inglewood Memorial Park.
Major Bonnie Jane Lynch
Major Bonnie Jane Lynch was promoted to Glory on Nov. 23, 2010, from Shoreline, Wash., at the age of 74.
Bonnie Hoogstad was born June 7, 1936, in El Centro, Calif.
Bonnie was commissioned in the Soul-Winners Session in 1955. Prior to her marriage to Bill Lynch in 1961, she served in corps in Boise and Caldwell, Idaho; San Francisco, Fillmore and Oceanview, Calif.; Billings and Butte, Mont.; Ogden, Utah; and Kake and Juneau, Alaska.
After their marriage, the Lynches ministered in Fairbanks, Alaska, transferring to Anchorage in 1963 where they lived for 12 years. In 1975 they moved to Seattle, Wash., where they remained until their retirement in 1993.
William Lynch was promoted to Glory in 1996.
Bonnie loved to play in The Salvation Army band and she fostered a love of music in her children.
Bonnie also loved Alaska and its people. She had a ministry to the people of Southeast Alaska and was adopted as an “Eagle” into the Tlingit tribe.
In retirement she did not slow down. For many years, she led a prison ministry for The Salvation Army throughout the Northwest. Eventually, she retired full time in Ketchikan, Alaska.
The legacy of Bonnie Lynch is a family that serves God by serving others through music, missions and hospitality.
She is survived by her daughter, Katrina Bartlett; sons, Bill Lynch (Pam), Greg Lynch (Erin) and Doug Lynch; six grandchildren: Emily, Nate, Chris, Nick, Eric and Jack; sister, Jean Anderson; brother, Jan Hoogstad; and sister, Katrina Grundahl.
The Seattle (Wash.) Temple Corps held a celebration of life service on Dec. 4, 2010; participating were Lt. Colonels Harold and Joann Brodin, Lt. Colonel Alfred Van Cleef and Major Barry Dooley.