Tribute

Henry Schellenberg was born on September 2, 1930, in Alexanderkrone, Ukraine, to Heinrich
and Maria Schellenberg. Shortly after that, the young family of three joined a group of
refugees fleeing the growing discrimination in the Soviet Union and eventually settled in the
northwestern Chinese town of Kulja. Five other children were born during this time. Yet, only
the youngest, Jacob (1936), survived because the family struggled with the poverty caused by
the external and internal wars plaguing the Chinese countryside. Their situation worsened in
1939 when local communists imprisoned Henry’s father. Two years later, they sent him to
the Soviet Union, never to return, yet God continued to provide and protect them. In 1946,
the Schellenbergs left Kulja with the surviving refugees and arrived in Shanghai in September
1947. It was there that Henry responded to the Gospel and trusted in Christ as his Saviour. In
Shanghai, the MCC connected Henry’s family to his maternal aunt in Abbotsford, B.C., and
arranged for her to sponsor them. Finding passage on a freighter, Henry’s mother, Maria, and
her two sons arrived in Canada on March 18, 1948, and settled in Greendale, BC. Henry
started working immediately. One of his first jobs was filling sandbags during that year’s
flood.

Henry enjoyed getting to know his new cousins as he settled into Canada by attending night
school and getting a job at a sawmill in 1950. He loved learning, enjoyed the fellowship at
Greendale M.B. church, and was baptized during this time. Through Greendale M.B. church,
Henry met Evangeline (Lena) Penner. They were married on March 22, 1953, and celebrated
the birth of their son, Melvin Henry, a year later. Though the family lost three stillborn
children during the following five years, their faith in God’s sovereignty stood firm, and, in
time, He provided two additional children: Darlene Ruth (1960) and Douglas Neil (1963).
Henry also exhibited his faith when a work accident caused the loss of his index and middle
finger on his dominant right hand in 1961. Rather than grow bitter, Henry never considered
himself disabled, secured a job at Crane Potteries and moved his family to North Delta B.C. in
1964. There they joined Kennedy Heights M.B. Church and served faithfully for decades.
In the summer of 1971, labour strikes and a worsening economy led the family to London,
Ontario, where Henry and Lena worked for a nursing home. While there, Henry joined a new
M.B. church work in nearby Komoka before returning to North Delta, Crane, and Kennedy
Heights in January 1974. In 1982, Henry became the maintenance man at the Swedish
Canadian Rest Home, where Lena worked as Head Cook. He retired in 1995, and they moved
into an apartment so they could travel to see their grandchildren in Indiana, take cruises to
Alaska and the Panama Canal, and visit Israel. By 2010, Lena required additional care so the
couple moved to the Emerald in Elim Village for assisted living. For two years, they enjoyed
all the community activities. In July 2012, Lena’s health deteriorated, and she was in
extensive care until her passing in September.

For the last 11 years, Henry continued to live at the Emerald and felt increasingly supported
by the great community there. Eventually, in 2015, God blessed him with a wonderful friend,
Valerie. They had so much fun and joy together! During this time, Henry was also actively
involved in his grandchildren’s lives whenever possible. In addition to going on a mission trip
to Mexico with his granddaughter, Bethany, Henry went on numerous trips to Indiana to visit
Mel & Sue and family and to Jon & Hannah’s wedding in Toronto. Henry poured himself into
his family, giving them the greatest example of being a Christ-follower.

His faith and trust were built upon seeing God’s faithful providence throughout his years. Henry’s Bible was
always open for devotions the next day. He was a faithful prayer warrior –

especially for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His prayers and encouraging words were
comforting for everyone. Henry passed away to be in the presence of Jesus on the evening of
Sunday, December 3, 2023, at the age of 93.

He is predeceased by his wife, Evangeline (Lena) Schellenberg – married for 59 years and
three unborn children. He has left behind his children, Mel (Sue) Schellenberg, Darlene (Ed)
Neufeld, and Doug (Helen) Schellenberg. His grandchildren, Stephanie Schellenberg, Justin
(Shannon) Schellenberg, Jonathan (Hannah) Neufeld, Bethany (Jonathan) Kalf, Micah
Neufeld, Emma Schellenberg, and Jared Schellenberg. His great grandchildren, Allison
Schellenberg, David Schellenberg, Samuel Neufeld, and Tyson Kalf. His dear friend, Valerie
Duina. His brother, Jake (Ruth) Schellenberg, and their family, as well as family from “the
Penner” side. He will be missed by the loving staff and dear friends at the Emerald.