“Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free. I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. To laugh, to love, to work or play, tasks left undone must stay that way. I found that peace at the close of day.”
Rev. Elijah Peals Jr., of LaPorte, was born May 31, 1947, in Brickeys, Arkansas, to Elijah Peals Sr. and Lela Mae (Miller) Peals.
He received Christ as his Personal Savior at an early age while attending Old Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Johnny Hall in Brickeys, AR. Elijah attended Brickeys Elementary and Anna Strong High School in Arkansas, where he became affectionately known throughout the neighborhood and entire community as “E.L.” It was during these years that he met and fell in love with the love of his life, Delia Mary Jean (McCoy) Peals.
On July 10, 1966, E.L. was united in Holy matrimony to Delia and in this same month and year the loving couple relocated to LaPorte. To this union two children were born (a daughter and a son).
Upon their arrival to LaPorte, E.L. soon found employment with American Metal Company. He was also a dedicated employee of Allis-Chalmers, Clark Equipment and WireKraft Inc., respectively, until the closing of each business. He then joined the workforce of Aero Metals until retirement in 2002.
He accepted his calling in the gospel ministry in 1993. He served faithfully and was ordained in July 1998 by Rev. B.J. Ashley at Macedonia M.B. Church in Michigan City, IN. In November 1998, E.L. accepted pastoral duties of New Testament of Faith Baptist Church in Benton Harbor, MI. Because of his works for God, he has now become affectionately known throughout the neighborhood, community, and surrounding areas as Pastor Peals. As stated: Nehemiah 6:3 “And I sent messengers unto them saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you.” Like Nehemiah, Pastor Peals’ work remained constant until God released him on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at 8:48 p.m. from the care of physicians and staff of Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, IL.
Pastor Peals leaves to cherish his memories his devoted and loving wife, Delia Peals; two devoted children, Janice (Leroy) Peals-Taylor of Indianapolis and Michael Anthony Peals of LaPorte; Four grandchildren, Michael Elijah James Oliver of Cambridge, Ontario, Adrianne Nicole White of Springfield, MO, and Leroy Lamont and Lauryn Nicole Taylor, both of Indianapolis; seven brothers, Robert (Charlene) Peals and Rev. Solomon (Patricia) Peals, both of LaPorte, Rev. Ray (Olivia) Peals, Jerry Peals, Ricky Peals and David Lee Peals, all of Marianna, AR, and Rev. Curtis (Annie) Peals of Temecula, CA; two sisters, Celia Mae (Frank) Vincent of Little Rock, AR, and Lurena Lenear of Jonesboro, AR; mother-in-law, Daisy McCoy of Marianna, AR; uncle, Johnny Miller of Forrest City, AR; three godchildren, Ryan Lewis-Nelson, Katrina Jordan and Ty-Shaun Smallwood; four brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends at Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, LaPorte, on Friday, April 11, from 2 to 8 p.m. A life celebration will be held at Macedonian Missionary Baptist Church, Michigan City, on Saturday April 12, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ray Peals Sr. officiating. Interment will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Family of Elijah Peals.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.