Hepzibah Daniel

Hepzibah (Hepsy) S. Daniel, of Marshalltown, IA passed away Monday, May 11, 2015, at her home surrounded by her loved ones. A Celebration of Life service will be at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2015 (PLEASE NOTE DATE) at First United Methodist Church, Marshalltown, Iowa. Hepsy was born December 15, 1932 in Nuwara Eliya (City of Light), Sri Lanka to Devadason and Priya Sara Arumainayagam. During her younger years, she spent time with Amy Carmichael in India learning the art of servanthood. Hepsy was united in marriage to Rev. Christopher J. Daniel on November 14, 1959 in Batticola, Sri Lanka. She served alongside as a Deaconess and was a tremendous and life-long ministry partner for 55 years. She exemplified the life of Jesus Christ powerfully in all she did on this earth. She and her husband traveled quite extensively establishing missional churches in Sri Lanka and India. She is known to be a spiritual mother to thousands of people. Hepsy passionately shared her faith through words and deeds; she was a prayer warrior; she was a devoted and caring wife celebrating her 55 years of marriage in November 2014; she was like gentle dove, kind, compassionate and generous mother and grandmother; loving sister and an aunt. Hepsy had an unmatched gift of hospitality, served unselfishly and sacrificed her all for her family and everyone she came in contact. If you knew her for short or long term; if you met her only once or lifetime of relationship, you were embraced, prayed for and loved unconditionally by her. You entered her home as a stranger; you exited the home as a dear friend in Christ. Hespys departure from earth to eternity is something she was readily awaiting. She fought a good fight and ran her race with such strength, courage, grace, purity, and dignity until she took her very last breath. She served God, family and friends with utter faithfulness and simplicity. While she is absent here on earth, we know well she is present with her Lord. She will be missed by her beloved husband Rev. Dr. Christopher Daniel; her children; Dr. Wesley SK Daniel of Wes Des Moines, Dr. Paul (Rev. Jennifer) Daniel of Marshalltown, Priya Priscilla (John) Hostetler of Akron, Ohio, her loving sister Victoria (Rev. David) Arulnathan of Churdan, Iowa, five grandchildren (Micah, Jonah, Hadassah, Joshua, Anna), four nephews Rev. Abel Roy, Rev. Solomon Arumainayagam, Steve Roy, and Paul Roy many other family, friends and countless spiritual children in the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and India. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and three sisters. All of us left here on earth to carry the baton of faith and fulfill the legacy of her Christian life stand up and call her BLESSED. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts will be directed to Calvary Mission in Sri Lanka and India. Gifts will be used to help carry out the legacy of her servantheart with orphaned children and the destitute. Additionally, it will allow for the work of Jesus Christ to continue in these countries through church planting. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641.844.1234. Hepzibah was cared for by McFarland Clinic/Mary Greeley, MMSC, Primary Health, Hospice Compassus and Mitchell Family Funeral Home.