Theodore Roosevelt Allebach

THEODORE (TED) ROOSEVELT ALLEBACH of Jacksonville, Ark., age 91 passed into the arms of his loving Savior on April 23, 2019. Born May 2, 1927 in Oil City, Pa. to Kenneth and Claudine (Lanigan) Allebach, Ted attended local schools and was active in his community. Upon encouragement from a neighbor, he began attending church whereupon he accepted Christ as his Savior and decided to enter full time Christian ministry. After graduating from Oil City High School Ted enrolled at Sterling College and began preparation for a career as a minister. During these formative years, Ted was very active in drama and concert choir. He especially enjoyed leading and serving on gospel teams, traveling to churches and children's homes. Upon receiving his degree he enrolled in Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary and received a Master's Degree in Theology. Called to the Oakland Avenue Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Pontiac, Michigan, Ted served as pastor for 22 years. Under his leadership the congregation grew to over 700 active members through the addition of weekly prayer meetings, men's luncheons, youth programs and ministries to the homeless. He was talented in many other areas of his life and his Christmas Eve solo of "The Birthday of a King" was looked forward to each year. He enjoyed serving on the Executive Council of Pontiac General Hospital, was a founding member of the Oakland Christian School and an active member of the Michigan Sunday School Association where he was honored as "Pastor of the Year." After a short stay in Grand Rapids, Ted moved to Arkansas. He spent Sundays preaching at Presbyterian Village and other assisted living facilities for over 30 years. He would make ornaments at Christmas and Valentines' Day to hand out to everyone he would pass. The patients at St. Vincent's Rehabilitation Hospital were recipients of the thousands of get well cards he would make and deliver every week. In his later years, as himself a resident of assisted living, he would minister to patients and staff alike. Ted was a friend to all he met, having a passion for touching people in times of personal distress. Regardless of age, ethnicity or status he always knew just what to say to lift one's spirits. Ted is survived by his wife Gerry Allebach; children Paul, Craig (Carol), Mark, Margaret (Scott), Gordon (Debra) and Elisabeth (George); grandchildren, CJ, Cara, Lindsey, Stephanie (Steven), Caroline, Alexandra, Ford and Asher; and greatgrandchildren, Madelynn, Samuel, Anna, Olivia and Elle. Visitation will be Monday, April 29 beginning at 9 a.m. with the funeral service at 10 at Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock. Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church Building Fund, 5200 Fairway Ave., North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Ted's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.