Kyle Mcquillen

Kyle W. McQuillen, Jr., peacefully went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 16, 2020, at his home in Fredericksburg, VA, surrounded by his wife and children.

He was born on May 6, 1938, in Williamsport, PA, a son of the late Kyle W. Sr., and Evelyn McQuillen.

Kyle grew up in Philipsburg, PA, where he graduated from high school in 1956. Having grown up in a non-Christian home, Kyle did not attend church for the first fifteen years of his life. While a sophomore in high school Kyle attended a revival service at the Methodist church in town at which time he responded to an invitation and gave himself to Christ in October, 1953. Soon after, Kyle felt the call to ministry and began to make plans to attend college and seminary after graduation from high school.

Kyle studied at Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA, University of Exeter in England, and Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., where he received a Master of Divinity degree.

For twenty-five years he pastored in United Methodist churches in Pennsylvania, and then he and his wife, Mar Louise, whom he married in 1959, answered the call to missions to serve in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, West Africa. He then served as the missionary in residence for one year, traveling throughout the United States and Canada for the Methodist Church. Kyle was pastor of the Christ United Methodist Church in Shippensburg, from 1972 to 1979.

In 1987 Kyle was invited by the United Brethren in Christ denomination to become part of the Department of Missions as associate director, a position he held for two years until he was called to be the senior pastor of College Park United Brethren in Christ church. He continued in this position until 1993 when he was elected by the General Conference to the position of Director of International Ministries, a position he held for eight years until his retirement in
2001.

After his retirement he and his wife, Mar Louise, moved to Hacienda del Rio in Edgewater, FL. Though officially retired, Kyle was invited to serve as part time pastor of visitation, pastoral care, and counseling at Edgewater Alliance Church. He was on staff either full time or part time for all of his eighteen years in Edgewater. Kyle also served for several years as a volunteer coordinator for the Horizons Community in Prison at Tomoka Correctional Institution. Then in 2012 he became full time Transitional Coordinator of Horizons, a position he held until September, 2015. His interest in the incarcerated men and women continued as he made regular visits to the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach. He was also a volunteer chaplain for the Volusia Sheriff Department.

In December, 2011, Kyle was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma requiring four months of chemotherapy. In April 2012 the Lymphoma went into remission. In October, 2017 he was
diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) a cancer of the bone marrow, which late last fall developed into leukemia. He continued treatment for this until his death.

Kyle is survived by his wife of sixty years, Mar Louise; son Keith McQuillen and wife Debra, and daughters, Susan Booth, and Janet Traugh and husband Matthew; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Booth, Brandon Booth, Kyle Traugh, Eric McQuillen, Nathaniel Traugh, Taylor McQuillen, and Victoria McQuillen; four great-grandchildren, Layla Traugh, Colten Booth, Tyler Booth and Paul Booth; a sister, Connie Wilkes and husband Willie; and a brother, Bud McQuillen and wife Donna.

A celebration of Kyle's life will be held at a later date, at Edgewater Alliance Church in Edgewater, FL.

Memorial contributions in Kyle’s honor can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at donate.lls.org.

On-line condolences may be expressed at www.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com or sent to: Mar Louise McQuillen, 5714 Spring Arbor Circle, Fredericksburg, VA 22407.