Local pastor killed in crash leaves behind a legacy of love
SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- They say it’s not the amount of time you have on earth, but, how you spend it. Still, for those who knew Pastor Edward Vegh, 82 years isn’t enough.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever know the full effect of how many people’s lives he’s touched,” says daughter Valerie Delinski.
Along with wife Sharon, Pastor Vegh ran New Life Center in South Bend for over thirty years.
He retired December 17th. Just 10 days later, he and his wife were struck by a semi-truck at Western Avenue and Walnut Street.
“After I was getting ready to walk out the door and I said ‘well I’ll see you later’ like I did every morning and little did I know I wouldn’t be seeing him again,” says Associate Pastor Phil Ludwick.
Ludwick met Pastor Vegh in 2008. The two quickly became close. Ludwick served as his associate pastor and the Vegh family even invited him to live with them.
“He has taught me how to open my arms towards people. It doesn’t matter the circumstance. He always taught me ‘Phil, just love people. Just love people,’” says Ludwick.
Pastor Vegh’s ministry went well beyond the walls of his church. He was known to local believers as a leader who united many different congregations.
“He was just a special, special person for this city. Rich, or poor, whatever your race was, didn’t make a difference, how you were dressed made no difference to him at all he just loved you at first sight and just wanted to minister to your life,” says Pastor Thomas Edwards of the West Edison Church of God.
Sharon Vegh is still in the hospital because of her injuries and faces a long recovery.
“In all the years of my life I never heard him complain. He was very selfless and I love him and I’m going to miss him. I ask you guys pray for my mom who is still in the hospital. But, I just want my dad to know that I love him… a lot. And I miss him. He was a good man, he was a really good man,” says Delinski.
South Bend Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to contact them at 235-9201.