This photo of Jeri Sommers Muller was taken of her at about the age she would have been when she attended Camp Gilead. Jeri was born in Sacramento in 1936 but had a difficult childhood and was sent to live in St. Patrick's Home for Children, foster homes and then with her father and his girlfriend in WA. The only place he would let her go besides school was a neighborhood church through which she came to attend Camp Gilead. She received Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord at Camp Gilead and her life forever changed. A kind family from church (who were big supporters of Camp Gilead), Weldon and Polly Gwinn and their young children, allowed her to live with them during her high school years. The Gwinns even sent her to Multnomah School of the Bible where she memorized much Scripture which she could quote until the day of her death from COVID complications, October 30, 2021. God blessed Jeri with a wonderful husband, Lou, three children and four grandchildren. Lou and Jeri's home served as the receiving home for Placer County (CA) for many years with over 900 children coming through their home. The Mullers also ran group homes for babies and delinquent teenage boys. Jeri's family praises God for Camp Gilead.

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Gary was the third child born to Gerald and Isabel Keller of Everett, Washington. His father Gerald was a logger and a builder. Gary was born in Everett on October 8, 1942 and joined siblings Gerry and Glen. He was raised in Everett and moved to Shoreline where he attended Shoreline High School. He enlisted in the United States Army and served in the military police in Texas and Korea. He married Chris Pennington on July 2, 1976. They had two sons, Aaron and Joey, both who worked on staff at Camp Gilead. He worked for a short time in insurance, but spent most of his life in security at Boeing, Swedish Hospital, Seahawks Stadium, Harborview Hospital, and Northwest Hospital. He came to know the Lord as a teen but recommitted his life under the ministry of Darrel Morgan in Lynnwood. He was a man of prayer and led the Tabernacle Baptist Church Men’s Prayer Breakfast and served as a deacon. When he was asked “What would you say to the next generation?” he said “Speak your heart, don’t worry about being accepted, realize that the Lord is the Alpha and Omega and everything in between, and spend more time in the Word of God.” After a tough battle with lung cancer, he went home to be with his Lord on March 15, 2022. He is survived by his wife Chris, his sons Aaron (Michelle), and Joey (Hannah), and grandchildren Hailey, Lucas, Trevor, Kaitlyn, and Brayden. “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.”

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John Ruhlman, Jr., 55, died on January 12, 2022, in Oceanside, CA. He was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. John was born in Hillsboro, OR, to Pastor John and Nancy Ruhlman, but grew up in Everson, WA, attending Nooksack Valley Schools from kindergarten to 12th grade. During this time, he attended Camp Gilead many summers as a camper. He went on and graduated with a degree in History Education from Christian Heritage College in El Cajon, CA. He was the father of Rachel Ruhlman, and Jono Ruhlman. He was the principal owner of Mission Deck and Patio since 2019. John also received his Master of Divinity at Southern California Seminary in El Cajon, CA. He taught history at Christian High School in El Cajon and then became the youth pastor at Shadow Mountain Community Church. The family moved to Murietta, CA in 2001 and John founded and pastored Life Church of Temecula & pastored Sandals Church in Murietta. While at Life Church, John led a dunes ride at Pismo Beach, CA in which he broke his neck and almost completely severed his spinal cord. He became a “walking miracle” but struggled the rest of his life with physical & pain issues. John is predeceased by his father, John Sr. Besides Rachel and Jono, he leaves his mother, Nancy Ruhlman of Mount Vernon, WA; his sister and family, Eric and Sheryl Rasmussen, Ellie Rasmussen, Austin and Emma Hays and Annie Rasmussen of Shoreline, WA; his brother and family, Bob and Lee Anne Ruhlman, Kate, Sophie and Audrey Ruhlman of Shoreline, WA. John also leaves his uncle, Pastor Tom and Becky Ruhlman of Shoreline and 2 aunts: Ruthanne Beddoe of Boise, ID and Kaylene and Joel Jeffers of Ontario, CA and numerous cousins, including Kimberly Mallory, Gilead Program Director. One of John’s favorite places was Camp Gilead. The family spent much time at camp, and enjoyed many Thanksgiving dinners in the camp lodge. John’s grandparents, Bob & Ruth Mehner, worked and volunteered for many years at Gilead, in their retirement. John was the High School camp speaker at Gilead in 1999, and had a heart for camp ministry, and especially, Camp Gilead.

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Ken Burrows, former Camp Gilead board member, family camper for many years, and supporter went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 7, 2018.  He suffered from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and now is breathing the celestial air of heaven.  His wife, Patty Burrows, served as a Camp Nurse for many years and both of his children, Michael Burrows and Sherri (Burrows) Miller, served as Camp Gilead Counselors.  Ken attended Tabernacle Baptist Church of Seattle WA and recently had moved to Lake Elsinore CA, to be closer to his children & grandchildren.  Ken enjoyed fishing, camping, reading playing board games and pinochle.  He also loved to travel.  He took trips to Canada, the Grand Canyon, Oregon Coast, Georgia, Missouri, Florida, New York, and his favorite, Hawaii!  Ken also enjoyed both Disneyland and Disney World.  His favorite food was chicken and favorite dessert was cheesecake.  Ken's favorite books of the Bible were Philippians and Romans.  His favorite chapter, Romans 12 and favorite verse Romans 12:1-2.  When asked what he would say to the next generation, he said “Be committed to serving the Lord.”

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John J Ruhlman IV, Pastor, Teacher, Prime West owner and lover of Camp Gilead and missions went to be with his Savior on August 9, 2018, from Mount Vernon, WA. John’s wife, Nancy, attended Camp Gilead every year from 1948 to 1959 as did their three kids Sheryl Ruhlman Rasmussen, John Ruhlman V, and Bob Ruhlman and 6 granddaughters, Ellie Rasmussen, Emma Rasmussen, Annie Rasmussen, Kate Ruhlman, Sophie Ruhlman and Audrey Ruhlman. John’s in-laws, Bob and Ruth Mehner, also worked many years as volunteers for the camp and are buried nearby in Carnation, WA. For many years they brought their whole family to Family Camp at Gilead. The camp had a huge effect spiritually on all their lives!

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Dawn was a strong believer in Jesus Christ.  She was very supportive of the Young Life program in which her sons actively participated.  She visited Camp Gilead numerous times, as she was a strong supporter of Jim Carlson’s board of trustees involvement, as well as Daniel and Katie Carlson’s activities at camp.  A woman of significance, Dawn’s real gift was her role as “the best mom in the world.” She adored her two boys, Brad and Stevie, and their safety and success in life were always her highest priority. Dawn always made time for their activities and was ever-present at their many baseball games, cheering and encouraging them every step of the way. What they do in life will be founded in her strong support and loving nature. She also had a wonderful ability to gently engage and mother the many good friends that her boys brought home.  Dawn loved baseball and, as a result of her love of the game, both of her sons are exceptional baseball players. Wherever she went, she made the discussions warmer and more enriching (and the kitchen tidier!) and when she walked into the room, everyone smiled that Dawn was now there.  She was loved by so many because, in her quiet, confident, nurturing way, she loved so many and accepted everyone with a smile and a kind word. Beautiful inside and out, she was always willing to lend a hand, give a hug, cry with you and laugh with you.

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Katie learned about Camp Gilead through the AWANA club at her church, East Wenatchee First Baptist, and later went on to help there, telling others about camp. She attended as a camper for five years, she served on the High School Staff for two years and was a counselor for a year as well. Katie always brought friends with her to camp each year. She went on to apply her passion for youth by volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and starting her own photography business. She was able to practice and learn to live with a servant’s heart at Camp Gilead and that is the legacy she leaves us!

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Jason was a lover of God, and of God’s people. He spoke many times of his desire to be who God wanted him to be. He spoke of how he loved being in God’s house with God’s people. He was lover of words, there were many times when he was young that mom would find him reading the dictionary. He loved to learn new things, and did not want to be bothered with things he already knew.  He loved camp ministries, he lived the life of a counselor for many years and dreamed of being able to run his own camp someday. He loved his friends, old and new. In his last few days he made it a point to try to get together with or talk with as many friends as he could. He loved his family, he loved family dinners and gatherings. Jason loved the people in his life, no matter how short or long a time they had been there.

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Dorothy led three generations of her family to Camp Gilead and was a regular family camper and retreat goer over the years. She was a strong and steadfast family matriarch who wanted her children and grandchildren to know God’s love, experience His creation and love each other. Shepherding her flock to family camp at Gilead year after year, she paved the way for those experiences to blossom in her family’s lives. Dorothy was 91 years young when she was called Home to her final resting place. Her contagiously joyful laugh, unshakeable spirit and humble faith remain with us always.

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Sally had an extra special place in her heart for Camp Gilead and the ministry here. Her daughter, Sara, and son in law, Jack Moyer raised six of her grandchildren at camp, while serving on staff. She spent her summer Mondays supervising the six grand-kids while Jack and Sara were busy checking in all of the campers. It was a special blessing to know that the kids were safe and well cared for while their parents were totally occupied elsewhere! Sally also served as camp nurse a few times, before Jack and Sara were even married, much less living at camp. She once brought home a little black kitten that had been born at Camp Gilead and gave him to Jack and Sara so when they got married they would have a pet. A couple years later said cat moved back to Camp Gilead with his “parents” to minister to the mice… She was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, she loved her church family and stayed very intentionally in the study of God’s Word and prayer.

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Lance helped numerous children during his lifetime and enjoyed having children around him. He was there to help anyone that needed it, even when he was not asked. His wish was that in his memory children might attend Camp Gilead in the summer, even if they could not afford it. Lance worked in the timber industry and for the Okanogan County Public Works. Lance worked for the road crew for 20 years before retiring due to health issues. He was well respected by all of his co-workers. Lance considered all of his crew his “boys” and talked about them with high regard. Lance loved every aspect of his family. He loved raising his family along with spending time with them all. Lance and Shari enjoyed the outdoors and loved to hunt and fish. They both had taken up bow hunting together. Lance was a member of Okanogan First Baptist Church and was respected by the entire congregation. He believed in the Lord and was not afraid to spread the gospel. Lance was very active in the church and was a trustee. In recent years, he enjoyed the annual trip to Camp Gilead for the Men’s Retreat and fellowship with the men from his church.

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Karen believed strongly that Camp Gilead is a highly effective evangelistic outreach and that she should support it in every way possible. She was excited about and supported any project going on at camp, if it would further the ministry that she so dearly loved. Karen attended Family Camp for years with her husband, Jim, and later with her children, too. Her kids, Daniel and Katie, have attended youth camps and helped in the kitchen and on summer staff. Karen herself often volunteered in the kitchen, pop’s inn, and especially the overseeing of our nurse’s station. Being a nurse, she took on the job of making sure that the healthcare at camp was readily available in the summer by inventorying and purchasing the needed supplies, talking to doctors about standing orders and backing up our nurses any way she could. Karen also enjoyed attending Women’s Retreat and Mother-Daughter Retreat and always donated gift baskets for give-aways at those events. Karen was an avid scrapbooker and quilter and helped start her church’s annual ladies’ retreat to camp to work on all of their unfinished craft projects. Camp Gilead truly will miss this dear friend. We are all better off for having known her.

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Don was the father and grandfather to several happy campers here at Camp Gilead. During the last several years of his life, he regularly inspected the American flag flying at the camp and replaced it whenever he felt it was time. He was passionate about and involved with his church, his community and his country.

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Angie first attended Camp Gilead as a Jr. High camper in 2002. She loved being at camp, hanging out at Pop’s Inn, laughing, teasing and visiting with anyone who walked by. She made some of her best friends there and everyone loved her funny personality and her ability to make people laugh with her. Her favorite part of camp was the singing and worship times, and Angie dedicated her life to the Lord while she was at Camp Gilead. Angie served on the High School staff during the summer of 2005. She worked hard while on staff and was thrilled to see two of her campers come to know the Lord that summer. Family was extremely important to Angie and she was very close to her Dad, Mom and two brothers. She was a “little sister” to many of the older staff and a dear friend, who will be greatly missed, to everyone else. Her favorite scripture verses were Proverbs 3:5-6.

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David grew up at Tabernacle Baptist Church, located on Capital Hill in Seattle. When Mrs. Faull donated the property on the Snoqualmie River to the church, the families of Tabernacle immediately began work on the facilities, making them “habitable” for campers. David was part of those first crews in 1948 and was assigned to the “Chicken Coop Brigade.” It doesn’t take much imagination to figure out exactly what his job was! He continued to serve on the camp construction crews throughout his youth and made many spiritual decisions as a camper at Gilead. He and his wife, Carol, both served as counselors during their college years and continued to be a part of the camp ministry during their marriage. In 1974 David and Carol joined First Baptist Church of Eastgate, in Bellevue, and brought that enthusiasm for Camp Gilead with them. David never forgot the part that Camp Gilead played in his life and would want other kids to have the same fond memories that he enjoyed from 1948 till he went to Heaven in 2006!

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loved Camp Gilead! The highlight of his summers was to see all his friends, both old and new, at camp. Travis felt totally comfortable and engaged at camp, and more than anything else, he wanted others to come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. There is a bench at Camp Gilead, dedicated to Travis’ memory, with the words “proud member of the bench crew,” inscribed on it. That was because he and his friends hung out there the year he broke his nose at camp. He wouldn’t come home for anything…not even that! His family and friends love and miss him and we all know that “we’ll see him when we get HOME!”

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Ruth began her involvement with Camp Gilead when Tabernacle Baptist Church first began developing the property in 1948. She and her family were among the workcrews who labored so diligently to build the facilities. Her children, grandchildren and now her great grandchildren attended camps and retreats here. After retirement, she and her husband, Bob, settled here at the camp and spent many years volunteering in the areas of maintenance and housekeeping. She was a faithful servant of God and a wonderful friend and mentor.

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Abby is remembered by family and friends for her devotion to Jesus Christ. She dreamed of all her family and friends, in fact her whole school, coming to Christ. Abby enjoyed helping in the toddler class at her church and had travelled with her youth group to Mexico on a mission trip. She spent the summer of 2000 as a “Leader in Training” (LIT) here at Camp Gilead, where she developed incredible friendships with her co-workers and encouraged everyone with her enthusiasm and her brilliant smile. Many friends and family members have attended camp at her invitation. Her deepest desire was to have them hear God’s Word and accept Jesus.

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Taryn is best remembered, by her campers and fellow staff members, for being extremely passionate about reaching children and young people for Christ. Taryn spent two summers ministering as a camp counselor and saw many campers put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior while in her care. She grew up attending Family Camps with her parents and brothers and also attending youth camps. The Memorial Scholarship Fund at Camp Gilead was founded by her parents, Jim & Lynn Kelly, to reach out to more youth with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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