If we live, we live to the Lord; if we die, we die to the Lord; and so, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's forever.  -Paul's letter to the Romans, 14:8
 
Dear Friends in Christ,
 
Our partner in ministry, the Rev. Partee Jerome Boliek Jr., died on January 6, 2020.

Partee Boliek was born on April 20, 1927 in Hickory, North Carolina. He was baptized and confirmed at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church. He attended Taylorsville High School and then went on to attend Lenior Rhyne College (now Lenoir-Rhyne University; BA, 1948). He then attended Evangelical Lutheran Seminary (now Trinity Lutheran Seminary; BD, 1952). He was ordained by the American Lutheran Church at Mt. Pisgah on April 29, 1952.

Pastor Boliek's first call was to St. John's Lutheran Church in Sweet Air, Maryland and he served there until his retirement in July of 1992. During his 40 years of ministry there, he helped the congregation build a worship center in 1963 and the fellowship hall in 1987. He also had a part in establishing three mission congregations: Faith Lutheran Church in Charlotte, North Carolina; St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Timonium, Maryland; and Salem Lutheran Church in Jarrettsville, Maryland. He served as a supply preacher in many congregations and also served at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Columbia, Maryland.

In addition to his commitment to congregational ministry, Pastor Boliek was chaplain of the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company, state chaplain of the Maryland State Sons of the American Revolution, and chaplain of the Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club.
 
Partee is survived by his children Mark Boliek (Tina), Stephen Boliek (Elizabeth), Nathan Boliek (Lorie), Partee Boliek III (Janet), and Barb Clark (Bryant); 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, and one on the way; and many siblings and their families.

The family will receive visitors at St. John's Lutheran Church (3911 Sweet Air Road, Phoenix, MD 21131) on Friday, January 10 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, January 11 at 10 a.m. Pastor Boliek's funeral will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Pastors, Deacons, and members of the Order of St. Stephen are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is white, please be ready by 10:40 a.m. Burial will follow in the St. John's Lutheran Church cemetery. There will be a funeral buffet to follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church.

May our brother Partee rest in peace and rise in glory.
 
With you in Christ,