Jacky “Jack” Lenn Correll, 79, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, passed away peacefully at Algoma Residential Community Hospice, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, after a 7-year battle with colon cancer.
Jack was born to Ralph and Patience Correll on December 30th, 1944, in East St. Louis, Illinois, and grew up in Trimble, a small farming community in South Central Illinois. After high school, Jack went on to attend Mid-South Bible College (Memphis, Tennessee) and Northland Bible College (Goulais River, Ontario) graduating with a BA in Theology.
It was at Mid-South Bible College, in 1963, where he met his wife, Mae Emma Long. They married on June 5th, 1966, and went on to have two children, Alysa Anne (1969) and Jacky Lenn (1974), after moving to Goulais River, Ontario, Canada, where Jack taught at Northland Bible College for seven years.
In 1976, Jack became a commended worker with the Brethren assemblies and went on to spend 22 years as an itinerant pastor and Bible teacher, traveling extensively throughout Northern Ontario, encouraging local churches; directing Junior Boys’ camps at Camp Aush-Bik-Koong; ministering in senior citizen homes; starting and leading youth groups, missions trips, Bible studies, and trips to Israel; and counseling, among countless other roles as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jack and Mae moved to Southern Ontario in 1998 and spent another 22 years continuing ministry before returning to Sault Ste. Marie in May of 2020.
Jack was most passionate about teaching the Word of God, doing so for 57 years. From his first pastorate at Flippin Presbyterian Church in Tennessee, through his final three years back home in the Algoma District. Cancer didn’t deter him from continuing ministry, as he preached most every Sunday, except for the weeks he received chemotherapy. His last opportunity to share God’s word from the pulpit was at Thessalon Bible Chapel, November 2023, just a few short weeks ago.
If Jack wasn’t teaching or preaching, you could find him carving, woodworking, enjoying birds, planning trips to Israel, reading, and studying God’s word. Jack was a man driven by his love for Jesus and his faith in him. He counted it his greatest privilege to serve the Lord his entire adult life. We are confident that upon entering heaven he was met by Jesus whose words to him were, “Well done, Jack, my good and faithful servant. Well done.” Jack wanted to finish well, and that he did.
Jack is survived by his wife, Mae Emma Correll; daughter, Alysa Anne Clark (Jack) who resides in Chicago; son, Jacky Lenn Correll, Jr. (Sarah) who resides in Richardson, Texas; grandchildren, Madison Mae Clark (21), Andrew David Correll (20), Matthew Lenn Correll (18), Jack Leo Clark III (17), Robert James Correll (16), Samuel Zinzer Correll (14). He is survived by his four siblings; Sondra Morris (Harold), Max Correll (Cathy), Scott Correll, and Kitty Vestal (Phil).
Friends and family are invited to gather at Bethel Bible Chapel (686 Black Road, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) on Sunday, January 28th, 2024 from 6 pm - 8 pm. Funeral service to follow on Monday, January 29th, 2024 at 11 am, officiated by Lenn Correll, followed by a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made by cheque, online or by e-transfer to Camp Aush-Bik-Koong ([email protected] or campabk.com/donate). Arrangements entrusted to Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington Street East 705-759-2522). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.arthurfuneralhome.com for the Correll family.