At memorial service, late Rescue Mission director is honored

February 12, 2015 at 12:03a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Friends, family and fellow pastors who spoke at the memorial service for the late Rev. David L. Sherrard on Wednesday said this Bible verse was recited daily in good times and bad by the former longtime director of Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley:

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm Chapter 118, verse 24. New King James Version.

Even on his death bed, he amended the verse and told Linda, his wife of 43 years: “This is the day the Lord has made; you will rejoice and be glad in it,” she recalled through her tears during the service celebrating her husband’s life.

The service took place at the Rescue Mission’s emergency shelter at 962 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The Rev. Mr. Sherrard died of cancer Dec. 30, 2014.

Mr. Sherrard was executive director of the Detroit City Rescue Ministries before relocating to Ohio and Youngstown where he was executive director of the Rescue Mission for 23 years.

“When Rev. Sherrard got here, the Rescue Mission was broke spiritually, financially and morally. He came in an built the foundation for what we have today,” said Jim Echement, who replaced Mr. Sherrard as director.

A group of pastors met every Monday, including Mr. Sherrard.

“David shared his heart. He always said, “You’ve got to do what is right in God’s eyes,” said the Rev. Rusty Wills of Kingdom Community Church in Struthers.

“We were referred to as ‘The Holy Joes,’” said the Rev. Robert Offerdahl, retired Presbyterian pastor. “It was privilege to have known David,” he said.

“I don’t want to miss one face,” said Linda Sherrard, as she looked over the large group who came to honor and remember her husband.

“This ministry [the Rescue Mission] is God’s. It was Dave and my privilege to be here,” she said.

“Dave is gone, but his vision of building a new structure for the ministry and the mission goes on and we get to be a part of it,” Echement said.

“The best way to honor him is to keep the vision alive. I ask you in his name to take hold of the vision. He loved this mission,” Echement said.