Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 12 at the Watsonville First United Methodist Church, 229 Stanford St., for Rev. Bernard "Bernie" Edward Mott, 85, of Watsonville. The former Ceres pastor died May 12, 2010.
Born Sept. 12, 1924, Mr. Mott was born in Indiana to Alma and Bernard Mott Sr., the son and grandson of Quaker ministers. In 1943, he served in the Army as a chaplain's assistant and medic in Europe during World War II. He graduated from Kletzing College in Iowa in 1949, and immediately married Marjean Ayres on June 8, 1949. While attending Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Ore., Bernie was ordained in the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1954. In 1969, he earned a master's degree in Pastoral Counseling from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. Rev. Mott was an inspirational pastor and counselor, and especially enjoyed working with youth and adults in crisis. Before he retired he served in the following churches: Collinsview EUB (Portland), Manito EUB (Spokane), Wallingford EUB (Seattle), Twin Towers UMC (Alameda), Rockridge UMC (Oakland), El Sobrante UMC, First UMC (Hayward). At Rockridge, Bernie was instrumental in establishing Otterbein Manor, a non-profit low income apartment complex for seniors. After he retired in 1989, Rev. Mott continued to serve in various capacities at United Methodist Churches in the San Joaquin Valley, including a stint as interim pastor of the Ceres First United Methodist Church.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 61 years, Marjean Ayres Mott of Watsonville; his two daughters, Debora Ow and Stephanie Mott; three granddaughters, Christine Neuhaus, Leah Adams, and Sara Behensky; and two great-granddaughters.
Remembrances may be sent to the Watsonville First UMC, 229 Stanford Street, Watsonville, CA 95076-3266.
-Ceres Courier/ June 2, 2010
Born Sept. 12, 1924, Mr. Mott was born in Indiana to Alma and Bernard Mott Sr., the son and grandson of Quaker ministers. In 1943, he served in the Army as a chaplain's assistant and medic in Europe during World War II. He graduated from Kletzing College in Iowa in 1949, and immediately married Marjean Ayres on June 8, 1949. While attending Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Ore., Bernie was ordained in the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1954. In 1969, he earned a master's degree in Pastoral Counseling from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. Rev. Mott was an inspirational pastor and counselor, and especially enjoyed working with youth and adults in crisis. Before he retired he served in the following churches: Collinsview EUB (Portland), Manito EUB (Spokane), Wallingford EUB (Seattle), Twin Towers UMC (Alameda), Rockridge UMC (Oakland), El Sobrante UMC, First UMC (Hayward). At Rockridge, Bernie was instrumental in establishing Otterbein Manor, a non-profit low income apartment complex for seniors. After he retired in 1989, Rev. Mott continued to serve in various capacities at United Methodist Churches in the San Joaquin Valley, including a stint as interim pastor of the Ceres First United Methodist Church.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 61 years, Marjean Ayres Mott of Watsonville; his two daughters, Debora Ow and Stephanie Mott; three granddaughters, Christine Neuhaus, Leah Adams, and Sara Behensky; and two great-granddaughters.
Remembrances may be sent to the Watsonville First UMC, 229 Stanford Street, Watsonville, CA 95076-3266.
-Ceres Courier/ June 2, 2010
