“We’re all just one big family” is how Karen Mowers, Illinois Campers on Mission Secretary, described the volunteer evangelism ministry. That family suffered a major blow when it lost two of its members to a tragic car accident just before a major spring planning meeting.
James Rentfrow, 76, and his wife, Catherine, 77, succumbed to the injuries they sustained on Feb. 19 in a multi-vehicle accident on I-57 south of Effingham.
The couple planned to participate in COM’s Annual February Fling Planning Meeting at Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp the next day. “James had baked three loaves of his banana bread to bring to the meeting,” said Mowers. “Their daughter said it was sitting on the counter.”
Both were hospitalized in Champaign where James died March 3 with Catherine following him in death on March 7. They were married 27 years.
‘Breaks our hearts’
“It breaks our hearts,” Mowers said. “James died holding her hand…. Our comfort is we know they are with Jesus and back together again.”
They also served together with Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief. James was a Blue Hat leader and Catherine was on child care and shower/laundry unit teams.
The couple had been active with COM working at both Illinois Baptist State Association Camps, Streator and Lake Sallateeska. Mike Young, pastor of The Ridge Church in Carbondale, worked with them when he served as manager of Streator Baptist Camp. He described James as “quiet, a hard worker, and someone who did what was asked of him…. They loved Campers on Mission,” Young said. “Both were strong believers and there is great assurance in that.”
The Rentfrows had just returned from serving at Pineywoods Baptist Camp in Groveton, Texas, where they and other Illinois COM volunteers had reunited with former Lake Sallateeska Manager Philip Hall, who is now that camp’s project manager. The couple spent a few weeks adding bathrooms onto cabins and helping refurbish a conference center.
The Rentfrows were awarded the Campers on Mission Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. They are survived by two daughters, three sons, four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Lisa Misner and originally published by the Illinois Baptist.
