The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Pastor David Vidler
Carlos David Vidler, was born July 25, 1936 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His father, Carlos John Vidler, was born in 1889 in the town of Rye, County of Kent, in southern England. His mother, Marjorie Constance Grindrod was from Montreal.
His father came to Montreal in 1912, then returned to England to serve in the army in W.W. I. He returned to Montreal in 1920 to work for the Canadian National Railway. His mother died in childbirth when Carlos was born. His father remarried in 1940 to Elizabeth Cleland. His father passed away in 1959, age 69, and his step-mother in 1990, age 101.
On February 4, 1977, David married Adrienne Jahn, a widow with three grade school children. In May, 1978, David Peter Vidler (Carolyn) was born. Their three older children are Anthony Jahn of Urbandale, IA; Jennifer Dohner (Jeff) and Martin Jahn (Chris) of Chicago. They have six grandchildren.
After high school, David worked for a wholesale drug company, an investment firm and while completing his B.A. degree, he worked for The Coca-Cola Bottling Company, all in Montreal.
While at the seminary, David worked week nights and Saturdays for the Springfield Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He is a graduate of Sir George Williams College (B.A.) in Montreal; Concordia Seminary (LCMS), formerly in Springfield and the Graduate Theological Foundation at Notre Dame University (South Bend, IN) with a Doctorate Degree.
In the ministry he served congregations in Chicago for almost 25 years. Then he retired to First Lutheran, Mt. Carroll for seven years. This was followed by three congregations south of Elizabeth, IL for six years. Next was one year as Interim Pastor near Galena and another year as Interim Pastor in Wilmington, IL.
Now he is serving as the Interim Pastor at Bethel Lutheran in Stronghurst and at Raritan Reformed.
His life of ministry started when he was 22. He was serving as a counselor at a week long youth gathering in Quebec City. They were watching a movie of the life of Charles Wesley. Wesley was reading Martin Luther's commentary on St. Paul's letter to the Romans. Wesley suddenly realized, out of great love Jesus had died for him on the cross. At that same moment, it dawned on David too, he wept, then came the question, "Lord, how do I love you in return?" The answer gave new direction and purpose to his college studies. "The rest," as they say, "is history."
When their children were young, Adrienne and him loved to take them to Warren Dunes State Park in lower southwest Michigan. In the summer they would go on a Friday afternoon, camp-out by the beach, have supper, and then watch the sun set over Lake Michigan. It is still a favorite place.
Because of Covid-19 these past three months have been most unusual and frustrating. No worship services, Bible studies or visiting. David says, "But, I thank the Lord for the gifts and talents of Alexander Graham Bell and the wizards of "smart phones" computers and the internet."