John Arthur Brubaker, 90, died peacefully in Upland, California, Sunday, July 20, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Eva Marie Gramm, three children, Curt (Zalini), Cheryl, and Brenda (Kirk), and four grandchildren, Erin, Caitlyn, Ryan, and Gwen.

John Arthur was born October 3, 1934, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Arthur Heistand Brubaker and Ethel Kathryn Mumma, the eldest of seven brothers and sisters, Mary (Paul), Levi (Sandra), Kenneth (Audrey), Ruth (Bruce), Joyce (Lloyd), James (Sue), and Robert (Jean). Mary, Paul, Levi, and Audrey preceded him in death.

John’s education started at Chiques Elementary School in Manheim Township. During high school, John transferred and graduated from the Messiah Academy in Grantham, Pennsylvania. After two years of 1-W (Conscientious Objector) service at the Philadelphia State Hospital, John enrolled in Messiah College, majoring in Biblical literature. At Messiah, John and Eva met and began their 68-year partnership.

John was installed in his first pastorate at Shenk’s Church in July 1958, and the following month, John and Eva were married in Illinois. In 1963, John was called to start the Skyline View Church east of Harrisburg, and then in 1970, having served previously on the Commission on Youth and the Board of Christian Education, John took up the role of Director of Youth and Family Ministries in Nappanee, Indiana.

In 1980 John relocated to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to take up the Refton pastorate. While at Refton, John served on the Board of Administration and the Commission on Educational Institutions. He also worked with the team updating the Brethren in Christ doctrinal statement.

During his tenure at Refton, John began thinking of a short-term overseas assignment, and in 1992 moved to Choma, Zambia, to serve as Financial Secretary. After two years in Zambia, John was appointed Bishop of the Midwest and Pacific Conferences and John and Eva returned to the USA and settled in Upland, California. In 2002, after eight years as bishop, John took up two part-time roles as a prelude to retirement: Associate Pastor for Adult Ministries at Upland Brethren in Christ Church and Commission on Ministry and Doctrine staffer.

After a long and fulfilling life of service to the church, John relished retirement. He and Eva delighted in spending time with their children and grandchildren, traveling, hiking, and birding. Family and friends brought him great joy. Even in retirement, however, John continued to teach and mentor until physically unable to continue.

His legacy is one of faith, engagement, and service. He dedicated his career to making the church inclusive while remaining steadfastly committed to its core values and tenets.

He was well-loved and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at 10 a.m. September 20, 2025, at the Upland Brethren in Christ Church. John’s ashes will be scattered in a private family ceremony.

Please visit the mementos page as well for photos, a short biography of John's life and John's essay describing his philosophy of life.

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