Obituary for Dr. John Bhagwan Baburao "Chaplain John" Waidande
In the early hours of December 20, 2020, Doctor John Bhagwan Baburao Waidande, more affectionally known as Chaplain John, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, lost his battle with COVID-19, at the age of 75.
John was born in Bhilawadi village in Maharashtra State, India, to Baburao Waidande and Valubai Waidande. John is survived by his wife, Margie (Bowen), his eldest son, Pankaj (Sarika), his daughter-in-law Rebecca, his youngest son, Mark John (Amanda), stepson, Jason Zachariah (Valerie) and stepdaughter, Crystal Gilbert (Barnes), and his grandchildren, Destiny, Vivek, Arpit, Aaliyah, Ariel and Sebastian Baburao. He adored his grandchildren and loved to play with them. He is survived by one brother, Anand Waidande, who lives in Pune, India. And many close and loving nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two cousins who grew up together as brothers, Ramchandra Waidande and Joseph Waidande.
He was preceded in death by, his father, Baburao Waidande, his mother Valubai Waidande, three brothers, Mohan B, Vishwanth B, and Shamrao B. and two sisters, Kamala and Parvati, and his beloved son, Dhiraj.
While in India, John was Pastor of the Bombay SDA Church and a Professor and Department Head of Social Services at Spicer Memorial College. He migrated to the United States of America in 1986. John worked as an Addiction Counselor and a Dually Diagnosed Counselor. John studied at NIH for chaplaincy and became a Board-Certified Chaplain, Clinical Fellow in Hospice and Palliative Care and a Diplomate with the College of Pastoral Services and Psychotherapy. He worked as a Hospice Chaplain for over 25 years. After he retired from Hospice Chaplaincy, he formed his own organization, Eastern Panhandle Chaplaincy Services, where he began training others to become Board Certified Chaplains and performing spiritual support services within his affiliated communities. John was also an Adjunct Professor of Religion at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland.
John was a charismatic person, who loved people and people loved him. He loved God. He loved to spend time in nature. John was known for his kindness and compassion, always wanting people to see Jesus through him. John loved this journey called life and always reached out his hand to help others along the way.
Because of the corona virus pandemic, the funeral will be a private family affair. The service will be held at South Berkeley Funeral Home in Inwood, West Virginia. John will be laid to rest at Rosedale Cemetery in Martinsburg, West Virginia. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date, once the corona virus pandemic is over.
Messages can be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.
Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to the organization he founded: Eastern Panhandle Chaplaincy Services, 2947 Tabler Station Road, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403.
John was born in Bhilawadi village in Maharashtra State, India, to Baburao Waidande and Valubai Waidande. John is survived by his wife, Margie (Bowen), his eldest son, Pankaj (Sarika), his daughter-in-law Rebecca, his youngest son, Mark John (Amanda), stepson, Jason Zachariah (Valerie) and stepdaughter, Crystal Gilbert (Barnes), and his grandchildren, Destiny, Vivek, Arpit, Aaliyah, Ariel and Sebastian Baburao. He adored his grandchildren and loved to play with them. He is survived by one brother, Anand Waidande, who lives in Pune, India. And many close and loving nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two cousins who grew up together as brothers, Ramchandra Waidande and Joseph Waidande.
He was preceded in death by, his father, Baburao Waidande, his mother Valubai Waidande, three brothers, Mohan B, Vishwanth B, and Shamrao B. and two sisters, Kamala and Parvati, and his beloved son, Dhiraj.
While in India, John was Pastor of the Bombay SDA Church and a Professor and Department Head of Social Services at Spicer Memorial College. He migrated to the United States of America in 1986. John worked as an Addiction Counselor and a Dually Diagnosed Counselor. John studied at NIH for chaplaincy and became a Board-Certified Chaplain, Clinical Fellow in Hospice and Palliative Care and a Diplomate with the College of Pastoral Services and Psychotherapy. He worked as a Hospice Chaplain for over 25 years. After he retired from Hospice Chaplaincy, he formed his own organization, Eastern Panhandle Chaplaincy Services, where he began training others to become Board Certified Chaplains and performing spiritual support services within his affiliated communities. John was also an Adjunct Professor of Religion at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland.
John was a charismatic person, who loved people and people loved him. He loved God. He loved to spend time in nature. John was known for his kindness and compassion, always wanting people to see Jesus through him. John loved this journey called life and always reached out his hand to help others along the way.
Because of the corona virus pandemic, the funeral will be a private family affair. The service will be held at South Berkeley Funeral Home in Inwood, West Virginia. John will be laid to rest at Rosedale Cemetery in Martinsburg, West Virginia. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date, once the corona virus pandemic is over.
Messages can be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.
Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to the organization he founded: Eastern Panhandle Chaplaincy Services, 2947 Tabler Station Road, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403.