Glory!

For Now We See Through a Glass, Darkly;
But Then Face to Face...

Clarence L Eash of San Jose, Costa Rica, departed this world on October 31, 2025. He was 89, born June 18, 1936 into an Amish home near Topeka, Indiana, the son of Lewis and Susie Lambright Eash.

Although Clarence never graduated from high school, he went on to earn a B.A. in Missions from Fort Wayne Bible College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He followed that with a Master's of Education from St. Francis University.

Clarence married Nancy Eicher on August 25, 1961 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with the father of the bride officiating. They were married for 30 years, with four children, before Nancy's unexpected death on June 19, 1991. Their courtship began while she was going to nursing school and he was an orderly at Parkview Hospital. Both were also active in Youth for Christ.

In 1967, Clarence and Nancy moved to Ecuador, where they served as Christian missionaries for five years, taking the Gospel to the local people as well as to indigenous natives in the mountains and jungles -- undeterred by the well-publicized deaths of missionaries who had gone before them a decade earlier.

After returning to the United States, Clarence briefly pastored a Missionary church in Milford, Nebraska. In 1976, the family moved to Auburn, Nebraska, where he served as the district manager of a large feed company for more than ten years. During this time he helped establish New Life Fellowship Church in Auburn.

A great speaker with an infectious personality, Clarence was also very active in Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International, Toastmaster's International, and the Optimist Club. If that wasn't enough, he established a large tennis youth organization in Auburn that garnered a national award from the United States Tennis Association. Clarence loved tennis.

In 1989, Clarence accepted a position at Peru State College (Peru, Nebraska), teaching both Spanish and Math courses. He enjoyed the classroom and his students very much. However, the death of his wife Nancy in 1991 took a heavy toll on him that led to his retirement a year later.

In 1992, Clarence sold everything, packed his bags, and moved to San Jose, Costa Rica. This was a city he loved as it was where he had studied Spanish prior to entering the missions field. He soon was introduced to Argentina Lopez, and the two were married on May 17, 1994.

Today, Clarence's memory lives on through his widow Argentina Lopez of San Jose, Costa Rica; sister Viola Yoder of Kalona, Iowa; brother Amos Eash of Sandy Pines, Michigan; sister Edith Chupp of Ligonier, Indiana; brother Ora Eash of Sarasota, Florida; brother Floyd Eash of Shipshewana, Indiana; son Michael Eash of Frankenmuth, Michigan; daughter Michele Pence of Middlebury, Indiana; son Mark Eash of Omaha, Nebraska; son Matthew Eash of Bellevue, Nebraska; 10 grandchildren: Hillary, Jordan, Leighton, Andrea, Bethany, Madelyne, Emmanuelle, Pamala, David, Trinity; and 12 great grandchildren.

Preceding Clarence in death are his first wife Nancy (Eicher) Eash; parents Lewis and Susie (Lambright) Eash; sister Ida Eash; sister Elsie Eash; sister Rosa Schwartz; brother Melvin Eash; and sister Ruth Eash.

Those who knew Clarence will attest to his gentle, kind, and calming spirit. Always looking on the bright side of things, he was never one to disparage or discourage anyone. He loved people. Always the optimist, he was an example of honor and dignity and joy and peace throughout his life. And he could sell you anything. Clarence loved games, too, whether that was sitting down at the table with his wife and kids for a round of Rook, watching his beloved Indiana Hoosiers basketball team on TV, or playing tennis until the lights shut off on the court.

Most of all, Clarence loved Jesus. In his last few years, his memory wasn't so good. He had his bad days where he didn't remember his children or his wife or his brother. But he always remembered Jesus. Just the mention of that name would bring tears to his eyes.

Clarence had several cute little expressions he'd say, like "Hokey Dino!" and "Dirty Dog!" and "Woop-de-doo!", but perhaps the one that defined him best was his "Glory!" that he'd shout as a greeting, as an exclamation, and as an expression of his faith. It didn’t matter if he was at the grocery store, on the tennis court, on his bike, or in church, Clarence had no filter.

After fighting the good fight and finishing his race, Clarence is now at home, in Glory, forever.