The Words of the Koide Family
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The Words of the Koide Family |
Michiko
Koide Eric Mahnken
Church members Michiko Koide and Eric Mahnken were killed on October 11, 1984, in a car accident in Pensacola, Florida. They and five other brothers and sisters, all on the Mississippi church fundraising team, had just completed a 40-day campaign and were returning home when their vehicle had a flat tire. While Eric was fixing the tire, a speeding van swerved off the highway into our vehicle, killing him instantly. The van then ricocheted into the group of members who were standing by the roadside. Michiko died several hours later; one other member suffered a broken back, and another a broken leg. The driver of the out-of-control van was also killed.
Michiko Koide was born December 16, 1948 in Chibu-Ken, Japan. She joined the Unification Church there in 1972, and was blessed in 1975 with the 1800 couples. She is survived by her husband, Masaaki Koide, and two children: a boy, Michikuni, and a girl, Sachiyo. She is remembered for her exemplary dedication, prayerfulness, sacrifice, and service. Ministers and their families in Jackson, Mississippi, remember her for her unflagging community service. To the state center, where she was the eldest member, she brought the deep-hearted, self-giving tradition of our Japanese church "mothers."
Eric Alexander Mahnken was born January 4, 1960. He joined the church in 1974 at the age of 14. He was blessed to Mary Hutchison in the Madison Square Garden blessing of 2,000 couples in 1982. He is survived by his parents, and his sisters Carla and Paula, who also joined the church. He worked in Performing Arts before he joined IOWC in March 1983. He is, fondly remembered for his warm-heartedness and friendliness. Always outgoing and vibrant, Eric did not hesitate to volunteer for difficult tasks, and he performed them with constancy and enthusiasm.
A Seunghwa Ceremony for Michiko and Eric was held October 13 in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Michiko's body was buried there, while Eric's body was flown to New York for burial in Westchester County, where his father lives, following memorial services in New York City.