Tribute

Elroy Alexander Pankratz was born in Mountain Lake, Minnesota on April 9, 1936 to Anna (nee Duerksen) and Alexander Pankratz, being the youngest of 7 children.  At 83 years of age, Elroy passed peacefully at Westview Place in Penticton, BC on February 7, 2020 surrounded by his wife and family.

Elroy is survived by his wife Nancy and their four children: Myrna Van Cleave (Timothy) of Pendleton, Oregon; Myron Pankratz (Nicole) of Penticton, BC; Mark Pankratz (Raë) of Penticton, BC; and Myleen Mallach (Jay) of Okanagan Falls, BC.  Elroy was blessed with 19 grandchildren: Darren (Rachel), Matthew (Christina), Nathan (Alyssa), Kristen (Collins), Daniel, Bethany, Meagan (Simeon), Taylor, Alyssa, Hannah, Sidney, Austin (Chantal), Jasper, Madison, Oakley, Isabella, A.L., Zoe and Denzer.  Elroy was also blessed with three great grandchildren: Shantel, Wesley and Hudson.  He is also survived by his sister Esther, numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Elroy graduated from Northwest College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he majored in Bible and Missions, and was later ordained as a Minister.  He also became a Journeyman Carpenter and started his own business called Kingsmen Construction, building numerous homes in the Vancouver area and the South Okanagan.  Elroy loved gardening, birds, wildlife, hiking, camping and travelling adventures.

After meeting Nancy at a Summer Bible Camp on Thetis Island, BC, he married her on June 14, 1960. They worked for numerous years as missionaries, serving the Indigenous Peoples of BC, from remote coastal villages to the Interior.  Elroy moved his family to the Vancouver area, then to Rendell Creek Ranch, and then settled in Oliver, where he became the Pastor of Antioch Bible Fellowship and the Principal of Antioch Christian Academy. Upon his retirement, Elroy developed and followed his passion for the people of Africa.  He worked with “Home of Hope”, a child-focused, church-based, non-profit organization.  Elroy constructed church buildings, along with ministering to pastors, widows and orphans through 10 different mission trips to Rwanda, Congo and Kenya.

Elroy unconditionally loved and fully accepted everyone he met. He held an unwavering faith and lifelong commitment to serving God in every way he could and in everything he did. Elroy’s eternal optimism was contagious, as was his huge smile, showing his loving, caring and giving nature.  Elroy also had a sense of humour with his somewhat silly, but wise, little quotes he shared. Everyone who met Elroy highly respected him and always appreciated his prayers and support. Elroy truly lived his entire life with the utmost integrity!

A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 2:00 pm at Concordia Lutheran Church, located at 2800 South Main Street, Penticton, BC.  The service will be livestreamed on Facebook for those unable to attend.  A reception with family and friends will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be given to “Home of Hope” for the projects close to Elroy’s heart: The Kariobangi Rescue Center in Kenya and the Children’s Feeding Programs in Rwanda and Congo. Tax receipts will be given for gifts over $15.  www.homeofhope.ca/elroy

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com.