Donald Justin Wolfram

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Donald Justin Wolfram

Born November 13, 1919
Zarephath, New Jersey
Died August 25, 2003
Westminster, Colorado
Cause of death Pancreatic cancer
Burial place Belleview Cemetery
Occupation Pillar of Fire Church
Predecessor Arlene White
Successor Robert B. Dallenbach
Spouse Phyllis Ester Hoffman (1921-1985)
Parents Gertrude Metlen (1888-1959)
Albert Wolfram (1877-1962)
Relatives Gordon W. Wolfram (1922-1992), brother
Orland A. Wolfram, brother
Alma White, grandaunt

Donald Justin Wolfram (November 13, 1919August 25, 2003) was the fourth General Superintendent of the Pillar of Fire Church from 1984 to 2000. [1] [2]

Contents

[edit] Birth

Donald was born November 13, 1919 in Zarephath, New Jersey, to Gertrude Metlen (1888-1959) and Albert Wolfram (1877-1962). [3] Both were missionaries in the Pillar of Fire Church. [1] [4]

[edit] Mother

Gertrude Metlen was the daughter of the former Venora Ella Bridwell (sister of Alma Bridwell White, founder of the Pillar of Fire) and David Evans Metlen of Dillon, Montana. Gertrude had the following siblings: Bruce Joseph Metlen; Genevieve E. Metlen; and Dale E. Metlen; all of whom died without spouses and offspring in Montana. Gertrude and Albert had married in 1909. [1] [5]

[edit] Siblings

Donald had two siblings: Orland A. Wolfram (1912-1987) who died in Guatemala; and Gordon W. Wolfram (1922-1992). [3]

[edit] Pillar of Fire

Donald was ordained to the ministry at age 16 in 1935. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Alma White College, his master’s from Columbia University, and his doctorate from the University of Denver. [1]

He married Phyllis Esther Hoffman (1921-1985) on December 20, 1948 and had the following children: Suzanne Wolfram who married David M. Larue; Phillip J. Wolfram who married Neta L. Miller; Charlene L. Wolfram who married Keith R. Maines; Donna J. Wolfram who married Ron R. Reiner; and Lorraine J. Wolfram who married Bruce Lepley. [5]

Donald taught at the Pillar of Fire high schools and colleges and was Dean Emeritus of Belleview College in Westminster, Colorado. He was co-pastor of Pillar of Fire Alma Temple in Denver and had a long-time radio ministry on KPOF Christian radio as well as the other Pillar of Fire stations, WAWZ in New Jersey and WAKW in Cincinnati. [1]

[edit] Death

He died on August 25, 2003 of pancreatic cancer, and was buried in Belleview Cemetery in Westminster, Colorado. [1] [4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Promoted to Glory: Donald Justin Wolfram, 83, Bishop. Belleview College. Retrieved on 2007-02-14. “Dr. Donald J. Wolfram left this life on August 25, 2003, after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 83.”
  2. ^ Mead, Frank Spencer (1990). Handbook of Denominations in the United States. ISBN 0687165725. “Mrs. White was the first bishop of Pillar of Fire; on her death, ... president and general superintendent, and was succeeded in 1984 by Donald J. Wolfram. ...” 
  3. ^ a b Orland A. Wolfram. Pillar of Fire Church. Retrieved on 2007-02-14. “Orland Albert Wolfram was born in 1912, the first of three sons, to Pillar of Fire missionaries Rev. Albert and Rev. Gertrude Wolfram. ...”
  4. ^ a b "Donald Wolfram moved souls during street services", Denver Post, August 29, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-07-21. "Donald Wolfram, who was an early participant in religious street meetings in Lower Downtown Denver, died Monday of pancreatic cancer." 
  5. ^ a b Wolfram, Gertrude Metlen (1956). The Saga of a Pioneer Family: The Maitlands, Mettlens, and Metlens. “Donald J. Wolfram was married to Phyllis Esther Hoffman, December 20, 1948 ...” 
Preceded by
Arlene White
Pillar of Fire Church
1984-2000
Succeeded by
Robert B. Dallenbach