Ed Wallen — longtime pastor of Vineland Park Baptist Church, Hueytown, dies at 83

Ed Wallen — longtime pastor of Vineland Park Baptist Church, Hueytown, and active missions leader — died Aug. 29. He was 83.

A Kentucky native, Wallen served for 10 years in the U.S. Army before attending Samford University in Birmingham. While he was a student, he served as pastor of Wayside Baptist Church, Anniston.

In 1974, Wallen became pastor of Vineland Park, where he served until he retired in 1999. For 14 years of that time, he maintained a daily radio program called Bible Study Time.

In retirement, he led a ministry in Ukraine, providing housing for Christians in remote villages. He also served as senior adult minister for Philadelphia Baptist Church, Birmingham, for more than 10 years in addition to serving as its interim pastor for a year in 2010.

Wallen was preceded in death by his son, Stephen, and daughter, Susan. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Tommie; stepdaughter Anna; stepson Scott; and five grandchildren.