Submitted
Of all the superlatives spoken at Rev. Garry Streeval’s funeral, perhaps “Renaissance man” was most fitting.
“He was more than an outstanding preacher,” Rev. Kenneth Bow, of Washington state, said of the long-standing pastor of Noblesville’s Calvary Apostolic Church (CAC). “He excelled as a husband. He excelled as a father. He excelled as a friend. He excelled as a pastor. In his later years, he excelled as a sage to many.”
Streeval, 75, passed away Sept. 15 following a long illness. His over-three-hour funeral, held at the Indiana District United Pentecostal Church campgrounds in Fortville last week, highlighted his contributions to his family, the church and community, and was attended by a couple thousand, some who traveled over a thousand miles.
Although raised in Edinburgh, one of seven children born in eight years, Garry Streeval and his wife, Karen, and their first child, Beth, arrived in Noblesville in 1975 to launch a church. He discovered the building one evening, as told at the funeral, at Fourth and Walnut streets while driving in the rain. Rev. Streeval rolled down his window and called out to the owner, who happened to be outside, “Hey, is this building for sale?” The man responded, “If you’ll turn off that car and get out, we’ll talk about it.”
They did, and he purchased the 35-seat structure by selling his new red Datsun pickup truck to obtain the $1,500 down payment. He and early members of the church then renovated what one visiting minister called “the little dollhouse” before moving to an 80-seat capacity building at 1420 S. 10th St., “across from the big chicken,” his son-in-law and current CAC pastor, Rev. Bryan Tanton, said. The congregation eventually built the red-brick colonial church with large columns at 16400 Cumberland Road, where they have worshiped since 2010 in a debt-free facility. –
“He didn’t like to leave things undone,” Tanton added.
But Streeval’s influence reached beyond the church doors into the community, and even nationwide, as he was a sought-after conference speaker. Several others spoke of his generosity, mentioning monthly checks sent to widows and friends. One recalled how the Reverend had bought him a vehicle.
Out-of-state minister Rev. Cody Marks, who took his family to the city square for dinner before the funeral, noted, “How fitting that God would call (Streeval) to Noblesville to start a church. Fitting, because this was a noble man.”
And he loved this city, referring to it as “God’s country” when speaking to those from out of town, his daughter, Carissa Tanton, said.
“God truly blessed me when he gave Garry Streeval to be my dad,” Mrs. Tanton, also speaking on behalf of her sisters Beth (Rev. Rusty Adkins) and Julie (Rev. Jon Hair), said. “I grew up in a fairytale environment. It was loving, it was safe, and it was peaceful.”
Members of CAC felt that same stability.
“He was a restorer of people,” Mrs. Tanton said. “He believed in them. He wanted people to succeed. He could make a person feel like a million bucks.”
His childhood friend, Rev. Mark Myers, agreed. “The greatest talent that Brother Streeval had was his ability to influence you, to inspire you to do things beyond what you could even think of yourself.”
He was known to repeat certain aphorisms, including, “Wait until the morning to make your decision” and “Smile; let the devil know you’re happy.” The service also featured his favorite songs, such as, “I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now.” And Mrs. Streeval, his wife of 54 years, and their daughters and families were lauded for their attentiveness to him throughout his illness.
The Calvary Apostolic Church choir sings “Ride On, King Jesus” at Rev. Garry Streeval’s funeral last week. (Photo provided)
Now those remaining are left to move forward without him.
“How will we replace him?” Rev. Bow asked rhetorically. “We won’t. You don’t replace a DaVinci. You don’t replace a Michaelangelo. You don’t replace a Picasso or a Monet. They are once-in-a-lifetime men. We will not replace Garry Streeval. He is a once-in-a-lifetime person. Garry Streeval was a once-in-a-lifetime life.”
Still, life without a Renaissance man isn’t easy.
“I think what I’ll miss most is that voice of assurance. When you’d call, he just made you feel like everything was going to be alright,” Rev. Myers said. “And I think if he was here, he would tell you that: It’s going to be alright.”