The servant of God Fr. Peter E. Gillquist departed this life at 9:20 p.m. on July 1, 2012, surrounded by family. He has finished the race. Memory eternal!
July 7, 2012
Last evening ended three days of services culminating in Fr. Peter’s burial at All Saints Orthodox Cemetery in Bloomington, IN. His Grace Bp. Anthony, who presided at the funeral service, delivered an inspiring, engaging and memorable eulogy. Fr. Gordon Walker preached a truly evangelistic homily at the preceding Divine Liturgy. The Audio for both, as well as Fr. Jon Braun’s tribute, can be found at Ancient Faith Radio (http://ancientfaith.com/specials/fr._peter_gillquist_memorial). Below you will see the tri-fold sunbeams caught on film by one of the faithful at the funeral service.
We will post more photos as they become available.
We are moved by your outpouring of love. Thank you for your kind words and sincere prayers!
+++
In lieu of flowers it is requested that memorial donations be made payable to All Saints Church (6004 So. Fairfax Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401). Funds will be split between the building funds of All Saints Church, Bloomington, Indiana, and St. Athanasius Church, Santa Barbara, California — Fr. Peter’s two “home parishes.”
Schedule of Services for Fr. Peter E. Gillquist – July 4-6, 2012
Wednesday, July 4
6:00 p.m. Public Visitation at All Saints in Bloomington
7:00 p.m. Trisagion Service
*All Night Vigil to Follow* (Reading of the Psalter)
Thursday, July 5
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy in Bloomington (Followed by transport to Carmel, IN)
5:00 p.m. Public Visitation at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (3500 W 106th St. Carmel, IN)
7:00 p.m. Trisagion Service
*All Night Vigil to Follow* (Reading of the Psalter)
Friday, July 6
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (His Grace Bishop Anthony Presiding)
11:00 a.m. Funeral Service followed by Mercy Meal at Holy Trinity GOC
3:30 p.m. Burial Service at All Saints Cemetery in Bloomington
Accommodations near Holy Trinity Church, Indianapolis/Carmel
The following hotels currently have rooms available for Thursday night, July 5.
Jamieson Inn
10201 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46280
(317) 816-1616
Mention “$69 funeral rate”
Courtyard Marriott
10290 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46290
(317) 571-1110
Mention “Fr. Peter Gillquist” to get special $79 rate
Embassy Suites Indianapolis – North
3912 Vincennes Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 872-7700
$119 king room
$139 two queen beds
Drury Hotel
9310 N. Michigan Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 876-9777
$87 for King or double
June 10, 2012
In 1999, Fr. Peter E. Gillquist (retired and attached to All Saints) was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma. Miraculously, he survived through the grace of God, the prayers of the saints, and the care of physicians. His prayer was to be given more time to assist in starting more mission churches, and to grow old with his wife, Khouria Marilyn.
Now, 13 years later, he has again been diagnosed with melanoma — only now stage 4. We are awaiting further word on a prognosis and possible treatment options. Scroll down to see any updates posted on this page. God bless you.
***For Immediate Release***
June 14, 2012…
The Very Rev. Fr. Peter E. Gillquist has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma. Fr. Peter survived a diagnosis of stage 3 melanoma in 1999 and another bout in 2010. He, Kh. Marilyn, and family await test results to determine treatment options in the management of this aggressive cancer.
The Gillquists request your prayers as they continue a lifelong journey of faith in the Great Physician, remembering that our communal prayer is for the healing of soul and body, and in the Lord’s time, a Christian ending to life, that is painless, blameless and peaceful.
Fr. Peter retired from 25 years of service to the Antiochian Archdiocese as Director of the Department of Missions and Evangelism in January. He is attached to All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church in Bloomington, Indiana, where his son, Fr. Peter Jon, serves as pastor.
June 19, 2012
Fr. Peter is in the hospital tonight with a fever. His physician felt it would be the best place for him to receive care as the doctors search for a possible infection causing this elevated temperature. Thank you for your continued prayers.
June 20, 2012
Fr. Peter is still in the hospital. During tests early this morning to determine the cause of his fever, it was discovered that his cancer is moving even more quickly than anticipated, and has spread to some of his vital organs. Fr. Peter’s children are travelling now to be with him and Kh. Marilyn. Your prayers for their safe travel, and for Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn’s continued peace during this time of illness are appreciated.
June 22, 2012
Our family shared a special time in the hospital room with Fr. Peter this morning, reading aloud your kind words of encouragement which have been posted on this site. Thank you for your continued prayerful support.
June 24, 2012
Fr. Peter is still in the hospital, surrounded by his wife, children, and a grandchild who is carrying his first great-grandchild. More family will be en route to Bloomington throughout the week.
We discovered today that reading your posts is not only encouraging to Fr. Peter, but also a helpful diversion from his physical pain.
As will happen, it seems there is some mis-information being circulated on the internet regarding Fr. Peter’s condition. Please always refer to this site for up-to-date and accurate information from those at his bedside.
June 25, 2012
We have been anticipating test results regarding possible treatment options, and today we received news that no cancer treatment would be of positive effect in Fr. Peter’s case. Therefore, the emphasis of his care is on pain management and prayer, so we are working on both. Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn, and their children are strengthened through your prayers.
June 27. 2012
Fr. Peter is sleeping more and more each day. He will be transferred to a hospice facility this afternoon, where his family will continue to participate in his care and comfort management, together with a 24-hour nursing staff. Your continued prayers for a peaceful journey are appreciated more than you know.
June 29, 2012 – The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Blessed feast day, dad. Fr. Peter has been in a hospice facility since Wednesday afternoon. When our family first heard about a hospice house, we were unsure what to expect. What we have found has been a blessing beyond what we can express: a large living room with couches and a kitchenette, a smaller, intimate sitting room, a chapel, a sizible outdoor deck, and eight large bedrooms, most of which look out into the woods. Currently, only half of the rooms are occupied by patients. At the foot of Fr. Peter’s bed is a four foot wooden shelf, which holds icons of Christ, the Theotokos, St. Peter the Apostle, St. Nectarios, and many of the holy unmercinaries. Vigil lamps burn around the clock, and at least one family member is with Fr. Peter at all times.
Presently, Fr. Peter sleeps most of the day. When he is awake, he asks for prayer. The family gathers to pray and sing, and he sings with us. These are the things we will remember all our lives.
The prayers you offer and the words you post here are such a source of encouragement to all of us. Thank you for your love and support as we continue this journey together.
July 1, 2012 – Saints Cosmos and Damian
These are holy days. God is so merciful, loving, and compassionate.
After the Liturgy of Ss. Peter and Paul Thursday night, Fr. Peter asked for prayer at the Hospice House. Fr. Peter Jon arrived around 10 p.m. and asked, “Dad, would you like to receive communion tonight or tomorrow?” Fr. Peter stated clearly that he would like communion right away, so we began to pray and sing. Although it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to speak in complete sentences, Fr. Peter recited all the prayers by heart and sang perfect harmony with the communion hymns. Then he went to sleep. That is the last food he has consumed — the Bread of Life, and thr Fountain of Immortality.
Fr. Peter didn’t awaken again until the following evening at 9:00 p.m. (Friday), when the wheels of Fr. Gordon Walker’s car hit the driveway. Fr. Gordon had driven six hours to be with his friend of 50 years in his time of need. They talked a while, smiled a lot, and then Fr. Peter went back to sleep following evening prayers.
The following morning (Saturday), we all gathered in Fr. Peter’s room for morning prayers, as he slept. Around 3:00 p.m., Fr. Peter awoke and asked if Fr. Gordon would hear his confession, which he did. Then a call was placed to Fr. Jon Braun, and the three old friends shared a few minutes together, talking about heaven. Then Fr. Peter fell asleep again.
Since that time, his vitals have changed dramatically, and he appears to be making the final sprint for the finish line. “Finish the race” is what his family members whisper in his ear. We are gathered by his bedside in prayer, Scripture-reading, and song. Finish the race, dad. We love you so much.
July 1, 2012
The servant of God Fr. Peter E. Gillquist departed this life at 9:20 p.m. surrounded by family. He has finished the race. Memory eternal!
“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!”
Funeral arrangements will post tomorrow morning.
Memory Eternal! You and he are in our prayers.
I only met Fr. Peter once or twice but you all know what a big man he was and he touched many of us anonymously. What a heritage! (from a graduate of St. Athanasius Academy, privileged to learn under +Fr. Jack and +Fr. Richard.)
Good strength to you all.
He is a pure inspiration and example of a true Christian ending to this life. Thank you for sharing this experience. His life will continue to help me through this world.
May the Lord be with you, his family, during this time of bright mourning.
May his Memory be Eternal.
All of us converts owe a huge debt to Fr. Peter, for his willingness to plumb the depths of Orthodox Christianity with integrity, steadfastness and love. We will never, never forget your influence in our journey of faith, Fr. Peter! Pray for us, as we pray for you! Memory Eternal!
May his memory be eternal. We in Canada are praying for the family.
May his memory be eternal.
Praying for all of the family at this time.
In Christ,
Steven
Dear Gillquist Family,
We are so sad that Fr. Peter is gone from us. But he is in Heaven, with God whom he served so faithfully his whole life.
Our prayers for comfort and mercy for all of you. We love you all.
Dn. Charlie and Lorraine Lehman
May our beloved Fr. Peter’s memory be eternal. What a gift he has been to our family and our church community.
Our love and prayers are with all of the Gillquist family. May God bless you with His peace during this time.
With much love,
Verne, Joanne, Timothy, Shawnna, Mary and Garrett Gish
MEMORY ETERNAL! May Fr. Peter rest with the saints.
Memory Eternal Fr. Peter!
Thank you for everything.
May his memory be Eternal. Our love and prayers go out to all of the Gillquist family.
We love him so very much and know he now dwells with the Heavenly Hosts.
All our love,
The entire Shannon Family
Deacon Howard, Gail, Travis, Judson, Courtney, Jesse and Casey.
May his memory be eternal!! With the saints give rest.
Memory Eternal to our beloved Fr. Peter. To quote the Hoppe’s ” It is a great blessing to accompany a loved one to the gates of heaven.” Thank you for letting us be a part of this blessed time.
Bonnie Carver
Dearest Gillquists,
Please be assured of our prayers for your family, and for the repose of the soul of His faithful servant, Fr. Peter.
May his soul dwell with the righteous! We love you all so very much!
Fr. Philip and Kathryn Rogers
May the Lord remember his faithful servant, Father Peter E. Gillquist, in His Kingdom always! He was faithful in following with humility Him Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life no matter where that led and no matter what the cost, even when it meant standing before the community time after time to say “we were wrong about what the New Testament Church believed.” Elaine and I together with all our community of St. George, Indianapolis, also pray that the Good Comforter will console all his family and all of us, his spiritual children and friends. In His love,
Fr. Nabil
To the Entire Gillquist Family,
Please except my deepest Sympathies for a Great & Wonderful Man.
He will surely be missed by all.
Please know that you are in my Thoughts & Prayers at this very sad time!!!
May His Memory Be Eternal!!!
With All My Love,
Chuckie Shahadey
May Father Peter’s memory be eternal. With the saints give rest, O Lord, to the Soul of your departed servant, the Archpriest Peter, where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting. As much as he will be missed on this earth, he will be welcomed by the angels and saints in heaven.
May God grant Kh. Marilyn and all the Gillquist family strength to endure this great loss.
Lucy Hanna and family
May his Memory Be Eternal
What an inspirational life. He has inspired so many and taught how us to live, and after reading the post from the last few days he continues to teach a lesson in how to end the earthly part of life with humility in the grace and mercy of Christ.
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and family,
“‘In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'” (John 16:33) This is my favorite Bible verse, and I firmly believe that it applies to this situation.
I have been told by my parents, Fr. John and Kh. Christina Reimann, that I met you when I was a little girl. Though those memories are difficult to recall, I do remember seeing Father Gillquist’s famous name on so many books and hearing Mom and Dad talk about him so many times. Being an aspiring author, this is a great inspiration to me knowing that Father is a very prolific writer.
The currently 471 thoughts and prayers for Father Peter say in short–yet heartfelt–sentences all that I could not in three paragraphs. However, I can still say this much: knowing that Father Peter Gillquist will finish the race–and claim his gold medal in the process–makes my heart rejoice and turns the bitter tears falling onto my keyboard into happy ones. Father, please pray for me, a sinner, in the Heavenly Kingdom, as you are, indeed, our Olympic champion. Please know that we will cheer for you until the end.
Much love,
Anastasia Reimann
Oh, my gosh. I refreshed the page, and I was greeted with “Memory Eternal.” Wow. God bless his family and strengthen them in this time of sorrow. He will be greatly missed.
I love Fr. Peter for being an enthusiastic saint in service of our Lord. From the first time I met him at Chicago’s Lawson YMCA when he was explaining to us college kids how to tell people about Christ, to his speaking at retreats at the University of Iowa, to our time together at Thomas Nelson, to walking along the Pacific Ocean, to the last time I talked to him — about friends, about family, about worship, and about the Lord. Marilyn, Lois and I will be praying for you and your family. May God bless you.
What a journey. What a witness, now as much as ever. May our most merciful Lord continue to bless you all at this time. Fr. Peter, your ministry for the Church will not cease. We know you will pray for us all before the throne of Christ our God!