Delmar Gene (Del) Birkey, of Wheaton, IL, was born February 16, 1933 in Foosland, IL, son of Alvin and Amelia Birkey. He died May 13, 2009, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL at the age of 76. Del attended a one-room country school, then Fisher High School, graduating with the class of 1951.

In June 1952, Del married his high school sweetheart, Donna Schrock, and the couple moved to Columbia, SC, where they attended Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University). Del graduated in 1957, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education. While in Columbia, he served as pastor in several churches. He was ordained in 1955.

During the years 1962-1967, Del was part of the ministry of the Youth Gospel Crusade, in Westboro, WI. His particular specialty was youth meetings in churches using chalk drawings and magic object lessons. In addition, Del served as program director at Camp Forest Springs for several years.

Del earned a Master of Arts in Biblical Education (cum laude) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in Deerfield, IL in 1969. This was followed some years later with a Doctor of Ministry in 1986 from Bethany Theological Seminary, in Lombard, IL.

Del served as minister at several churches in the western Chicago suburbs, but his most significant ministry was His Community Church - a house church that met for 15 years and was the culmination of his passion for renewal. Following that experience, he wrote a book published in 1988 titled "The House Church - A Model for Renewing the Church".

Another of his concerns was equality for women, especially within the church. In 2005, his book "The Fall of Patriarchy - Its Broken Legacy Judged by Jesus & the Apostolic House Church Communities" was published.

Del is survived by his wife, Donna; three children, Randal (Debbie), Cynthia, and Barry (Jenny). He also leaves thirteen wonderful grandchildren: Taylor (Laura), Noel, Marshall and Kathryn Birkey, Ashley, Bethany, Ian, and Zachary Hernandez, and Christy, Jenny, Katie, Jonathan, and Julie Birkey. Also surviving are four siblings: Carroll (Minerva) Birkey, Margaret Oyer, Floyd (Jean) Birkey, and Viola Stacey. He is also survived by Donna's 97 year old mother, Laura Mae Schrock.

Memorial gifts may be directed to either Global Action, 7660 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920; or to Christians for Biblical Equality, 122 West Franklin Ave, Suite 218, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Please memo the gift in memory of Del Birkey.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 18, 2009, starting at 3 PM, followed by a funeral service at 7 PM, both at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL (www.hultgrenfh.com).

Burial service for family and friends will be on May 19, 2009, at 10:30 A.M. at the East Bend Mennonite Church Memorial Gardens, in Fisher, IL, followed by lunch at 11:30 A.M. at the church.