Van Gladen, 86, died Oct. 16 in Waco. A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he and his wife, Ruth, were appointed as Southern Baptist missionaries to Mexico in 1956. Van GladenThey served there 39 years. He was professor and president of the Seminario Teológico Bautista Mexicano, interim pastor, field missionary and border missions coordinator between Mexico and the United States. He also worked with the Texas Baptist River Ministry and was pastor of churches in Chisholm, Crystal City, Uvalde, Edcouch and Spring Creek. After retirement, they moved to Waco and joined Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, where he taught in the internationals class and rocked toddlers in the nursery. He was preceded in death by his brother, Haroldean. He is survived by his wife of 63 years; daughters, Kathy Johnson, Karen Johnson, Linda Gill and Nancy Gunvordahl; sister, Mary Drue West; and nine grandchildren.
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