Vivian Elizabeth Krisel and Edward Payson Blair

DR. EDWARD PAYSON BLAIR, son of BERTHA MYERS and REV. OSCAR NEWTON BLAIR, was born December 23, 1910 in Woodburn, Marion, Oregon,⁹⁴⁵⁴ and died October 7, 2008 in Snohomish County, Washington.⁷⁵⁶ He is buried in Camano Island Lutheran Cemetery, Camano, Island, Washington.⁴⁵⁶

He married VIVIAN ELIZABETH KRISEL on September 13, 1934 in Dundee Presbyterian Church, Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska.⁹⁹³³ She was born March 10, 1909,⁴⁵³² and died July 10, 2002 in Snohomish County, Washington.⁷⁵⁶ She is buried in Camano Island Lutheran Cemetery, Camano, Island, Washington.⁴⁵⁶

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  • Samuel Houston Descendant Report (Ancestor of Edward P. Blair)

Omaha Sunday Bee-News, June 10, 1934⁹⁷⁷⁹

Divinity Students To Wed in Fall

Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Krisel announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Vivian Elizabeth Krisel, to Edward Payson Blair, son of the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar N. Blair of Portland, Ore.

Miss Krisel was graduated from Central high school as a national honor society pupil. She received her A. B. degree from Omaha university and on May 10 received her master of religious education degree from Biblical seminary of New York city.

Mr. Blair received his A. B. from Seattle Pacific college and on May 29 he received his bachelor of sacred theology from Biblical seminary.

Miss Krisel for the summer will aid at a camp for underprivileged children of New York city. She will be home for two weeks in the middle of September, at which time the couple plan to be married and return east, where both will enter the divinity school of Yale university on Sept. 24.

Omaha Bee-News, September 13, 1934⁹⁹³³

Miss Vivian Krisel to Wed Edward P. Blair of Portland, Ore., Sept. 13

Ceremony to Take Place In Dundee Presbyterian Church; Plan Courtesies

MISS VIVIAN KRISEL HAS CHOSEN THURSDAY, SEPT. 13, as the date of her marriage to Edward P. Blair of Portland, Ore. The wedding will take place at the Dundee Presbyterian church, an evening ceremony, Dr. Howard D. Talbott officiating.

Miss Evelyn Plouzek will be maid of honor and Miss Margaret Fisher and Miss Ann Steffen will be bridesmaids.

The Rev. William Overhulser of Carbon, Ia., will be best man. Rev. Overhulser and the groom are graduates of the Biblical seminary in New York. The ushers will be I. Chattin Bradway, Arthur Schmadlewsky, F. S. Brown and John Krisel, an uncle of the bride.

Preceding the ceremony Mrs. Willard Slabaugh will sing song written and composed by the groom for the wedding ceremony.

On Saturday evening Miss Margaret Fisher will give a dinner for the bridal couple and on Monday evening Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Brown will entertain at home. On Wednesday evening Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Krisel, parents of the bride, will give a buffet dinner for the bridal party preceding the wedding rehearsal. Mr. and Mrs. John Krisel gave a family dinner on Thursday evening at home.

Herald, October 14, 2008⁴⁷¹⁷

Edward P. Blair

Edward P. Blair passed away peacefully at the Josephine Sunset Home, Stanwood, WA, October 7, 2008, after lifelong service to the Lord. An ordained minister in the Free Methodist and United Methodist churches, Dr. Blair culminated his career in 1971 with 29 years as Professor of Biblical Interpretation/ New Testament at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois. His beloved wife Vivian, to whom he showed great devotion when she lingered for years with Alzheimer's, passed away in 2002.

Born in Woodburn, Oregon, December 23, 1910, Ed attended Seattle Pacific College with his two brothers, Glenn and Don, both of whom preceded him in death, the former having been a Professor of Education at the University of Illinois, and the latter a Superintendent of Schools in various locations over the years. Following his graduation from SPC (now SPU) and receiving a Ph.D. degree from Yale Divinity School, Edward was Professor and Dean of Religion at SPC, Professor at New York Theological Seminary, and finally Professor at Garrett, until his retirement in 1971.

A New Testament scholar, Professor Blair was involved in archeological explorations in the Holy Land; he authored eight books and many articles in the field of Biblical interpretation, including, most notably, The Abingdon Illustrated Bible Handbook, which was translated into several languages. His students serve in churches across the United States and in various ministries throughout the world; many of them have written to express their appreciation for Dr. Blair's mentorship in their chosen fields. Dr. Blair is listed in various editions of Who's Who… including Who's Who in Religion, 1992-1993, in which the following citation appears relative to his work: "The biblical perspectives on God, Jesus Christ, and the world and its inhabitants, while expressed in the language and thought form of antiquity, yet offer the best insights available for meaningful living in our own difficult times."

Following his retirement, Ed and Vivian moved from Evanston to their weekend place on North Twin Lake, Howe, Indiana. Several years later, they returned to the Pacific Northwest, in a second retirement to a more temperate climate, settling on Camano Island, and becoming active members of the Stanwood United Methodist Church. Ed enjoyed playing the piano and the organ, singing, composing music, inventing things, writing poetry, playing golf, and traveling with family.

He is survived by his daughters, Phyllis Belsey, of Littleton, Colorado, and Sharon Pass, of Glenview, Illinois, and their husbands, George and Ron, respectively.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Vivian; and his granddaughter, Heather Belsey.

Also surviving are three grandsons, Kevin Belsey, Eric Belsey, and Dan Robinson; and one granddaughter, Marie Kar; as well as six great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stanwood United Methodist Church, 27128 102nd Drive NW, Stanwood, WA, 360-629-9555, marked GETS (Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary) Ministerial Scholarships.

A celebration of Ed Blair's life will be held at the Stanwood Church on Saturday, November 8, 2008, to which friends and family are invited. There will be an opportunity for personal statements of appreciation of Dr. Blair and his ministry.