FFWPU USA Blessing and Family Ministry: In Memory of Josef Derflinger

Seonghwa Ceremony: July 14, 2025, at 10:30 PM EST at the Costello-Runyon funeral homes 568 Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen, NJ 08840

Send Flowers and Condolences: Costello-Runyon funeral homes 568 Middlesex avenue, Metuchen, NJ 08840

Josef was born in Austria on August 20th 1953. He has two older brothers Tony and Ernst also deceased.

Josef joined our movement in June 1953. He was part of the global IOWC and traveled through the states, Japan, Korea and Europe as a missionary.

In 1976, he joined MFT where he served for nine years leading his teams mostly on the East Coast.

He and his wife Monique Rabat participated in the 2075 blessing on July 1st 1982 in Madison Square Garden.

In 1985, he started working with the NY Fish house later on True World Foods and pioneered as the first IT manager for the company. He poured his heart into and committed long hours for his work.

He and Monique raised four children, Kayo, Chris Alan, Aurelia and Johann, in the state of New Jersey and their adopted hometown of Metuchen.

Josef was often studying for his work. He also invested in the community and small group fellowship, supporting his wife and children in the various church events and activities.

He was seriously committed to his family.

In 2016 he suffered a massive heart attack and miraculously survived. In 2017, he had a stroke and had to retire early from his work and focus on his recovery.

In July 2020, he and his wife moved to the Pine Barrens in South Jersey. He truly enjoyed the walking and the day trips throughout the area discovering the beauty of the forest and the peaceful farmland. It reminded him of his birth country and it comforted him in many ways. He kept reading many books on all subjects, making friends within the Methodist community and meeting in small groups with the Philadelphia and South Jersey unification family.

Derflinger Family

He especially enjoyed his family and his five grandchildren.

He shall be remembered as a sincere and hardworking man, a loving father and husband, a humorous and humble friend. Most of all, He loved God and he loved America.