Bereavements - 2025

Salvation Army officers and other personnel who have suffered the recent loss of a loved one:

Major Len Turner was bereaved of his wife, Mandy (Amanda) Turner, aged 63 years, who was     Promoted to Glory on Friday 18 April, 2025. Our love and prayers surround Len at this sad time. 

Major Denise Milkins was bereaved of her mother, Coral Haynes, of Townsville, aged 88 years, who passed away on Monday 31 March 2025. Our love and prayers surround Majors Denise and Alan Milkins, Captain Jeff Milkins and the whole family at this sad time. 

Captain Steve Spencer was bereaved of his father, Keith Spencer, a Soldier of Nambucca River Corps, who was Promoted to Glory on Monday 7 April 2025 in Princess Alexander Hospital, Brisbane. Our love and prayers surround Steve and Lydia and the whole family at this sad time. Messages of support can be sent to steve.spencer@salvationarmy.org.au 

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‌Captain Perry Lithgow was bereaved of his father, (Lawrence) Ray Lithgow aged 89 years, who passed peacefully into his Saviour’s presence on Tuesday 8 April 2025. A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at the Charters Towers Uniting Church on Tuesday 15 April at 10am. Our love and prayers surround Perry, Joshua, Rebecca and Zachary and the whole family at this sad time.  

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Major Julie Schofield was bereaved of her brother, Richard Orchard, aged 77 who passed away on Friday 14 March after a long illness with cancer. Our love and prayers surround Julie and Andrew and their family with this terrible loss.  

Majors David and Joan Tong are bereaved of  their son-in-law, Ken Wassell, who was Promoted to Glory on Monday 17 March. Ken was married to their daughter, Michelle. Our love and prayers surround David and Joan, Michelle, Blake and Jay, Jenna and Kenan, and Tayla at this sad time. 

Major Gaye Day was bereaved of her twin brother Stephen, son of Soldiers Howard and Joycelyn McLachlan on Sunday 23 March 2025.   We pray God’s love and peace will surround Gaye, Richardand the extended family as they remember and celebrate his life, particularly in the days and months ahead. 

Majors Glenn and Lynn Whittaker are bereaved of their daughter, Melanie who passed away on Monday 3 March after a battle with aggressive breast cancer. Melanie was the sister of Major Kate Young. Our love and prayers surround the whole family with this tragic loss.  

Major Carole Smith was bereaved of her Dad, Keith ‘Gov’ Smith who was recently Promoted to Glory. A celebration of Keith’s life was held on Monday 10 March. Our love and prayers surround Carole and her family at this sad time. 

Our love and prayers are with Major Paula Glover on the recent passing of her Mum, Mrs Dulcie Drury, after a long period of illness. The Celebration of Life was held at Stafford Corps conducted by Majors Bronwyn and Ashley Barkmeyer on Tuesday 11 February.  We pray that the strength, joy and peace of God which ‘passes all understanding’ might continue to hold Paula, her Dad Alan, sister Kylie and extended family and friends, in the days ahead.

Major Mark Soeters was bereaved of his brother Michael who recently passed away unexpectedly in New Zealand. Please keep him in your prayers at this sad time.

Major Erica Kollmorgen is bereaved of her father, Mr Eckhart Ernst, who passed away after a long time of sickness on Tuesday 24 December 2024. The funeral service was held at Ivan Butler Funerals in Adelaide on 31 December and conducted by Erica. Our love surrounds Erica and her mother Beryl, and we pray that the peace of God, which passes ‘all understanding,’ might sustain the family at this time. 

Captain Melissa Marsh is bereaved of her mother, Shirley Seller, who passed away on Friday 27 December 2024, aged 89 years. A funeral was held on Sunday 6 January in Ararat, Victoria. Please keep Melissa and the family in your thoughts and prayers. 

Captains Alana and Aaron Reid and Captains Daniel and Andrea Wayman are bereaved of their uncle, Luke Walford, who passed away on Saturday 28 December 2024 after a shark attack in central Queensland. Luke was assistant pastor at Cathedral of Praise in Rockhampton.  Kayelene Walford (Wayman), his wife, previously worked at DHQ in Central Queensland as a long serving DC secretary and DYS for 2 years. The funeral was held at Cathedral of Praise in Rockhampton on Tuesday 7 January. The family asks for prayers as they navigate this tragic loss.