AMBOY, WA (March 1, 2016) – A memorial service for retired Covenant missionary Robert Verme Sr. was conducted Saturday, January 30, 2016, at Layne’s Funeral Home in Amboy. Private interment was held on January 29. He died January 18.

Robert, 93, was born March 24, 1922. He married Virginia Palm in 1946. They began training for missionary service in Japan and sailed there to begin their service in 1949. They initially traveled with another mission agency before the Covenant officially opened Japan as a mission field.

After they completed their missionary service, the couple ministered in two churches in southern California. In 1978 they moved to Yacolt, Washington, and served the Yacolt Evangelical Free Church for two years and later did ministry at Charter Oak Community Church in Battle Ground, Washington.

Virginia and the couple’s daughter, Beverly Takanega, preceded him in death. Survivors include a daughter, Esther A. Alfrey of Amboy; a son, Robert Verme Jr. of Kirkland, Washington; nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.