Eleazar Charles Maciel

Eleazar "Charles" Maciel, 86, passed away January 2, 2012 with his family by his side in Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be Thursday, January 5, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 6, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church with the family officiating the service. Burial will follow at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, Texas. Charles was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico to Manuel and Bacilia Maciel on December 11, 1925. He married Elva Josephine Castillo on August 24, 1952 in Waco, Texas. He graduated from Baylor University and later earned a Master's Degree in Education from Eastern New Mexico University. Charles taught public school in Tucumcari for thirty-two years before retiring and pursuing ministry full time. He served as pastor of churches in Tucumcari and Corpus Christi before becoming the pastor of Iglesia Bautista Ambler also known as Ambler Baptist Church, where he faithfully served for twenty-seven years. He was a veteran of WWII and served in the United States Army. Charles was awarded a combat infantry badge, Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, signifying being wounded in combat. Charles was on the board of regents at Baylor University, and was a trustee at Hendrick Medical Center. He was also a moderator of the Abilene Baptist Association, a board member for Mental Health Mental Retardation and a member of the advisory committee for Adult Protective Services. Charles was awarded "Pastor of the Year" for 2011 by the Abilene Baptist Association. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister. Charles is survived by his wife Elva, son Charlie Maciel Jr. and wife Norrie, daughter Toni Jo Adams and husband Mike Adams, son Rene Maciel and wife Sabrina, daughter Annette Maciel Sadler. Charles is survived by his brother David Maciel and wife Juanita, sister Belen Garza, and sister Eleanor Garcia. He is also survived by grandchildren Meghann Whitaker and husband Brad, Whitney Porras and husband Bobby, Nathan Adams and wife Meredith, Britini Adams, Ashlee Sadler, Raleigh Sadler, Brianna Maciel and Carmen Maciel as well as great-grandchildren Corinne and Blaize Whitaker. Pallbearers will be Mike Adams, Raleigh Sadler, Nathan Adams, Bobby Porras, Brad Whitaker and Andrew Clouser. Memorials may be given to the Baptist University of the Americas, 8019 S. Pan Am Expressway San Antonio, Texas 78224. The family of Charles Maciel wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses and the dialysis staff of Hendrick Medical Center.