Former Indiana Area bishop's executive assistant Blaising has died

October 25, 2004

Former Indiana Area bishop's executive assistant Blaising has died

By Daniel R. Gangler, director of communication
Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Rev. Marcus J. Blaising, who retired in 1994 after 42 years of service to Methodism, died Sunday, Oct. 24, at his home in Fishers, Ind. Visitation has been set for Wednesday, Oct. 27 at the Randall and Roberts Funeral Home, 1150 Logan St., Noblesville, Ind. A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 28 at First United Methodist Church, 2051 E. Monument, Noblesville at 11 a.m.

In retirement Blaising served The Oaks Academy, an inner-city Christian school. During his active ministry, Blaising, a clergy member of the North Indiana Conference, served as executive assistant to the bishop, district superintendent and pastor. As pastor, he served South Milford-Wayne Center Methodist Church from 1952-56, Wallen Methodist Church from 1956-64, First United Methodist Church in Noblesville from 1964-69 and Trinity United Methodist Church in Elkhart from 1975-86. From 1969-75, Blaising served as the New Castle District superintendent, with 68 churches and a total membership of 15,000. Blaising's last eight years of active ministry were spent as executive assistant to the Indiana Area bishop in Indianapolis.

In United Methodist ministry beyond Indiana, Blaising served as chairman of the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church and as a member of the church's General Board of Pension and Health Benefits. Three times he was elected delegate to General Conference, and was a delegate to the quadrennial North Central Jurisdiction four times. He was a candidate for bishop in 1992. Blaising has led more than 244 finance campaigns in addition to leading preaching missions to Mexico, Chili, England, and France. Beyond the church, Blaising served on the boards of Franklin Community Methodist Hospital and Elkhart General Hospital, as well as several other organizations.

Blaising earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Garrett Biblical Institute in Evanston, Ill. (now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary) in 1955. He earned a bachelor of arts from Albion (Mich.) College in 1952 and has received honorary doctorates from United Methodist-related DePauw University and the University of Indianapolis. Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary honored Blaising with a Distinguished Alumnus Award on May 14 of this year.

Surviving are his wife, Naomi; daughters, Jan Wimmer of Indianapolis and Anne Bidelman of Tampa, Fla.; and son, Steve Blaising of Indianapolis and seven grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to Naomi Blaising, 13072 Duval Dr., Fishers, IN 46038.

Memorial gifts may be given to Operation Classroom through the Indiana Area UMC Foundation, 1100 W. 42nd St., Suite 210, Indianapolis, IN 46208, the Marcus J. and Naomi Louise Blaising Scholarship Fund at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60201 or to the Oaks Academy, 2301 North Park Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46205.

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