Brian Eric Elbertson

In Loving Memory of Brian Eric Elbertson Brian was born in Riverside New Jersey May 15, 1969 to Elizabeth Ann and William Stanley Elbertson. He experienced living in New Jersey, Upstate New York, Mexico, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Florida before moving to South Carolina. Brian spent his youth in Upper Black Eddy and Ferndale Pennsylvania, graduating from Palisades High School in 1988. He played on the school basketball team, and had honors in his Computer Technology class at Bucks Co Vocational technical School in Perkasie, Pa. In High School Brian started working at The Ferndale Inn, where he found a love for cooking. After graduating from high school, Brian decided to follow his path towards the restaurant industry, attending The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY where he graduated in 1991. After graduation from the CIA, Brian moved to South Florida to be near his other love ‘the ocean’. He always had a very special affinity for the ocean and dolphins in particular. While living in Florida he worked at multiple fine dining restaurants. In 1993 he met Ariane Houston who would become his wife in 1997 until 2007 when they separated, and later divorced in 2008. In 2007 Brian decided to move to South Carolina and live with his brothers Bruce and Lance. After his move Brian was able to mentor from his brother Lance to become an Electrical Design Technician. He was employed by A.M.E. Consulting Engineers in Charlotte, NC. Shortly after Brian moved to SC, his older brother Keith encouraged him to find a bible based church to attend. Although Brian spent a few months going to many churches, he couldn’t find one where he felt a sense of belonging. He decided to try a church just across the street from his neighborhood, Pleasant Valley Baptist. He was greeted so warmly upon his first visit that he immediately felt like he was home. Brian felt a special bond with the members of this church. One day he came home from church, very much excited. Pastor Randle Odem’s sermon that day was about “The Gospel”, and it rang in Brian’s ears like never before. Brian was changed from that point on, and he became very involved with his new church home at Pleasant Valley Baptist. He worked hard to become a better witness for Jesus and sharing the gospel whenever possible. Brian was baptized at Pleasant Valley Baptist in 2008. Brian’s outgoing and positive personality lead him to make many good friends during his time in North and South Carolina. God gave Brian the gift to make everyone he met feel comfortable and special. He had the unique ability of making people laugh and he especially enjoyed sharing a good joke. Each time you talked with him he had a new joke to share. Looking back at Brian’s life, we were able to see the many events and challenges that were presented to him. We know without a doubt that God had a greater plan for Brian’s life. First, his decision to leave Florida and move to South Carolina paved the way to help him grow in Christ. He found the church home across the street, and then the Christian singles group at Carmel where he formed many amazing friendships. Brian began training for his first half-marathon in 2013. At one particular difficult day of training, Brian met a stranger on the trail who was a runner. He encouraged Brain and helped him further prepare for the big day. Brian finished successfully, but unusually exhausted. He had to pull over on the drive home and began to experience intense migraines. On December 19, 2013, four days after finishing the race, Brian still had the migraines. It was so painful that he may have blacked out, causing him to hit a brick-columned mailbox while driving. The damage did not harm Brian, but it was enough to deploy the airbag and prompt him to see a doctor. He called his special friend, Robin Burgess, to drive him. Robin and Brian had traveled to Africa together on a mission trip, and she is an amazing and Godly woman. The doctors had immediate concerns. After a day of transitioning to four medical facilities, he was referred for an MRI but there were no openings. However miraculously at 11pm a slot opened and the results revealed a brain tumor needing immediate surgery. During that time, the best brain surgeon on the East coast was also on rotation, and an unexpected surgical suite opened up for the following morning. The surgery went extremely well and Brian was so physically strong that he was able to leave the hospital three days later. He did not have apparent negative effects, and our family rejoiced with the gift of having Brian at home to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Sadly, the doctors had not been able to remove the far-reaching parts of the tumor, and diagnosed Brian with stage IV Gioblastoma Multiforme. We all believed God had been there every step of the way, and Brian’s faith was stronger then ever. He had no doubt that God had a plan that would be best for him and his future. This plan enabled Brian to live for two more years, inspiring many with his faith in God through the most difficult time in his life. Just a month before Brian knew of his diagnosis, he had met a woman who would become the love of his life, Jennifer Cruise of Greenville, SC. Jennifer never wavered or left his side even after knowing of the eventual possible outcome that this disease could cause. Jennifer has been by Brian's side every step of the way as his earthly angel. She has gone out of her way to be there as a positive supporter, praying with him nearly every day. She delighted in Brian's victories and admired his true testament to God. We all agreed that Brian would simply light up every time he saw her or heard her voice. She was his walking ray of sunshine even after he had gone blind. Throughout the past 27 months, Brian confirmed that he was never angry about what was happening in his life. He did say that he would be sad if he did not receive the miracle of healing to continue to be a witness for Jesus. Brian knew that if God called him home his heart would be at peace. Through his example he reignited a fire of faith back into the hearts of hundreds. Many people have been inspired and strengthened hearing Brian's story and his never ending commitment to praising God. The family would like to thank all those many people who have helped us to go through this journey. You all have truly allowed God’s love to shine through you, and we will never be able to thank you enough. Brian is survived by his Mother Elizabeth A. Winchell of New Hope, Pa, his brother Keith Elbertson (wife Sueli) of Lake Worth, Fla. nephew Derek (wife Joey) of Ocala Fl., nephew Jason (wife Carolina) of Boynton Fl, Brothers Bruce and Lance of Fort Mill, SC. His sister Donna Winchell Marshall – (husband Hugh)of New Hope, Pa. as well as his niece Autumn and nephew Kelsey as well as his his sister “by chance” Becky Greim of Reiglesville, Pa. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests memorials be made to either Carmel Baptist Church at carmelbaptist.org or the National Brain Tumor Society at www.braintumor.org

Brian Eric Elbertson

May 15, 1969 - March 13, 2016