Obituaries
Rev. John W. Arnold Jr, MDiv 1995, age 57, of Springfield, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at The Resident Alive Hospice in Nashville. He was born on January 8, 1960 in Winchester, Tennessee to the late John William and Jane Holland Arnold, Sr. He graduated from Franklin County High School in 1978. In 1984 he received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Tennessee Technological University. During his time at Tennessee Tech, he toured the country as part of the renowned Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble. Soon after graduating from Tennessee Tech, John began to work for the United Methodist Church. He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1995 and became an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1997. John then began a life of service at several Methodist congregations in Tennessee. As he stated near the end of his life: “I also want to express my deepest gratitude to the churches I was honored to pastor; Granville UMC, Currys Chapel UMC, Maggert UMC, Jack Apple UMC, Ebenezer UMC, Greenbrier UMC, Fellowship UMC, Gallatin UMC, and Lafayette UMC. Each church has blessed my life in amazing and uncountable ways. I was nurtured at an early age by my home church, Winchester First UMC. Thank you for all the ways you impacted my life.” He spent many years building the Youth Ministry for Beersheba Springs UM Camp. It brought him great joy to give youth spiritual guidance and watch them flourish. He was deeply committed in foreign missions. From 2004 to 2009 he participated in mission trips to Guatemala VIM where he served by building block homes, mixing cement by hand and building a school for the native people. His passion there was Bible School for the children who called him Papa Grande! Besides the joy he found in Christian service and music, John enjoyed spending time watching Science Fiction movies, playing Chess, studying Civil War history, and studying Quantum Physics. John was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Rader and Pearl (Jones) Holland of White House, Tennessee and his paternal grandparents Grover and Rebecca (Williams) Arnold of Winchester, Tennessee. He is survived by brothers David (Cindy) Arnold, nieces Heather and Holly Arnold of Lebanon, Tennessee, Jim Arnold of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Steve (Kim) Arnold, nieces Catherine and Lauren Arnold of Winchester, Tennessee, and close family friends Walter and Gloria Herrin of New Johnsonville, Tennessee.
Reverend Gregory “Greg” Lee Blair, MDiv 1988, passed away at the age of 61 December 22nd at Camden Clark. He was the minister at Wayside United Methodist Church in Vienna. That’s where his funeral took place Thursday. Those who knew him say he had a loving and enthusiastic personality. Blair was also the chaplain for the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. He was born May 26, 1956 in Parkersburg, a son of Lois Brown Blair of Vienna and the late G. Bryan Blair. He graduated from Point Pleasant High School in 1974, attended West Virginia Wesleyan from 1974 to 1979 and graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1988. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 26 years, Kathy Naggie Blair; one sister, Susan (Larry) Casey of Vienna; and one brother, Doug Blair of Rock Bridge, Ohio. In addition to his father, Blair was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Preston Blair.
Doris Joan Evans Cockman, 90, passed away on November 30, 2017 in Hendersonville, NC. She was born July 17, 1927 in Conesville, Ohio, the first of four children to the late Lawrence Raymond Evans and Doris Vickers Evans. From early childhood she was called by her middle name, Joan. Joan graduated from Conesville, Ohio High School. Afterwards, she entered Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University), where she received the Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. Later, she was employed as a high school teacher in Ohio. December 24, 1951 Joan married Elijah Cockman of Mount Airy, NC. After he completed service in the United States Army during the Korean War, they moved to Kentucky, where he began studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. Following graduation in 1956, he was commissioned as a Chaplain in the United States Army. Joan was a dedicated wife to her husband, her children and to her god. She was an active participant in the Military Chapel and Civilian church Ministries, especially in the areas of worship, Sunday school, choir and various other church related programs. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, the Reverend, Elijah Cockman; son, Wesley Cockman and wife Elizabeth; daughter, Leslie Merrill and husband Jay; four grandchildren, Michael and wife Molly, Caroline Marie, Wesley Charles and Samuel; one great-grandson, Nolan Merrill; sister, Agatha Murphy and husband Ray; brother, Malcolm Evans and wife Nadine and sister-in-law, Eileen Evans. Following her husband’s retirement from the pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church in 1994, Joan and her husband moved to Hendersonville, NC. They attended First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville.
William James “Bill” Cogswell, MDiv 1957, 86, of Houlton, Maine, and New York City, passed away Monday, November 27, 2017 in his apartment at Madigan Assisted Living, with family members at his side. William “Uncle Bill” was born July 19, 1931, in Fort Fairfield, the son of Kenneth and Myrtle (Weaver) Cogswell. His sisters Geraldine Dunn and Norma Bates have predeceased him. His only living sister, Lavina Byron was at his side. He is survived by ten nieces and nephews, Kenneth Bates and his wife Maureen, Richard Bates and his wife Flossie, Joanne Peabody and her husband Ronald, Jane Dunn, Carole Bates, Cheryl Nason and her husband Dale, Roger Byron and his wife Laurie, David Bates and his wife Lisa, Jennifer Carmichael and her husband Danny, and Kimberly Hawkes and her husband Darren, as well as several great and great-great nieces and nephews. Bill attended Hodgdon High School, Bob Jones University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. He was a social worker in New York City for over fifty years. Bill loved music, singing, people, and most of all his family. He had an eclectic group of friends in the city. Bill never met a stranger. He was kind, compassionate, curious and funny. He enjoyed the company of those who attended the Stein and Sage Senior Centers, many times breaking out into a song during the meals. Bill was a member of The Church of the Village in NYC. Pastor Jeff Wells expressed that Bill will be greatly missed. Bill’s family would like to thank Madigan Home Health Care, hospice staff and the private duty staff who lovingly cared for him in his last days.
Dr. Richard F. Gottier, age 83, of Lake Wells, Florida, died at his residence on Friday, May 20, 2016. He was born in Findlay, Ohio, on March 20, 1933, to the late Russel and Ethel (Marehart) Gottier. He grew up in Wharton, Ohio and received his undergraduate degree from Asbury College in Kentucky. He received his Doctorate in Psychology from Bowling Green State University. He had been the pastor at Liberty Methodist Church in Rudolph, Ohio. He taught at Findlay College and later was the President of Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts, and later the President of Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. On June 14, 1953, he married Carol Ann Stauffer and she survives along with three daughters, Denise Marth of Colonial Beach, Virginia, Renee (William) Norton of Lake Wells, Florida, and Lisa (John) Archer of Melbourne, Florida. He has seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Dr. Thomas Miram (Jack) Key, MDiv 1947, stepped peacefully into heaven early Friday morning, December 8, 2017. Born in Adrian, Georgia (1922) to Morris and Bertha Key, Jack early came to faith in Jesus Christ and soon after felt called into Christian ministry. Once his moral and spiritual compass was set, he set out on life’s journey and never once looked back. While attending Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, he met Ruthanne Shockley (Miss Blue Eyes), the love of his life, to whom he was happily married for 58 years. After graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary (1947), Jack served as an ordained pastor for the next five decades in the South Georgia Conferenc e of the United Methodist Church. Pastoring churches in Washington County, Macon, Nashville, Cordele, Albany, Columbus and Dublin, Jack and Ruthanne were deeply loved wherever they served. Their ministry touched the lives of thousands of people with the faith, hope and love that is found only in Jesus Christ. Retiring in 1988, rather than slowing down, Jack and Ruthanne were more active than ever, serving in various capacities in China, Mongolia, Mozambique, Russia and Ecuador. In more recent years “Brother Jack” pastored Evergreen United Methodist Church and was frequently asked to fill the pulpits of many different denominations in Dublin and throughout the region. Visiting the sick, comforting the hurting, sharing the Good News with the lost, and spreading the love of Christ in restaurants, stores, hospitals, and nursing homes, made Jack and Ruthanne well-known personalities throughout Dublin. Some referred to Jack as the unofficial archbishop of Dublin. The city re cognized Jack and Ruthanne’s contribution to the community in 2009 by naming them both “Senior Citizen of the Year.” Jack is survived by three children: Evangeline Walmsley (Montgomery, AL), Stanley (Katy) Key (Wilmore, KY), and Christina (John) Whitworth (Griffin, GA). He delighted in his 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Ruthanne, and four siblings: Woodruff, Marjorie, Bertha Nell and Billy.
Helen Law (Brief), MDiv 1965, age 83 from Whittier, California, passed away on May 26, 2017.
Rev. Dr. Michael Douglas Mayfield, DMin 1998, age 66, of rural Pittsburg, Illinois, passed away suddenly at 11:08 PM on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the OSF Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, during a visit with his wife Vickie to see their daughter Sarah, son-in-law Gabe, and grandson Hudson. The son of the late Thomas Richard Mayfield and the late Barbara Jean (Raisch) Mayfield, Michael was born on June 5, 1951, in Springfield, Illinois, and grew up in the Central Illinois communities of Kewanee, Paris, & Lawrenceville before moving to Marion and graduating from Marion High School in 1969. He continued his education at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale where he met and fell in love with Vickie Lusch (then of Sandoval, Illinois.) They both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in education and were joined together in marriage on June 10, 1974, at the old Aldersgate United Methodist Church located on South Market Street in Marion. In his early career, Mike made friends and contacts throughout Southern Illinois while working for Sohn’s Menswear, Metropolitan Life Insurance, and Wolohan Lumber – and also with his work as a fundraising campaign chairman for the Greater Marion Area United Way. It was in college that Michael felt God’s call into ministry, and in 1984 made the decision to pursue that calling full-time by becoming a licensed local pastor of the United Methodist Church. His first appointment was Mt. Etna United Methodist Church (UMC) in rural Franklin County, Illinois. That was followed by Energy UMC (Energy, Illinois) and Hope Chapel UMC (Colp, Illinois) from 1985 until 1990; Creal Springs UMC (Creal Springs, Illinois) and New Burnside UMC (New Burnside, Illinois) from 1990 until 1995; Trinity UMC (Salem, Illinois) and Cubbage Chapel UMC (Salem, Illinois) from 1995 until 2002; Arthur UMC (Arthur, Illinois) from 2002 until 2007; Roseville UMC (Roseville, Illinois) and Swan Creek UMC (Warren County, Illinois) from 2007 until 2013; and by Johnston City UMC (Johnston City, Illinois) and Stiritz UMC (Williamson County, Illinois) from 2013 until his retirement in 2016. He took a year off, and in June 2017, accepted a part-time appointment at the same church where he accepted his first full-time appointment in 1985: Energy UMC in Energy, Illinois. Rev. Mayfield continued his education while he and Vickie served congregations throughout the United Methodist Church’s Illinois Great Rivers Conference. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky in 1990 and completed his Doctor of Ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio, with a focus on Spiritual Formation & Direction. Michael was ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1989 and at the time of his death served on the conference Board of Ordained Ministry to encourage and equip men and women who have recently accepted a call to ministry. Mike had many other areas of interest within his ministry, including church camping programs, humanitarian work, and caring for those in crisis. He served many summers in the United Methodist church camp program as camp director, guest preacher, and occasional musician. While pastoring in Arthur, Illinois, he traveled with the Douglas County Medical Reserve Board to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, serving as chaplain at a disaster mortuary during Hurricane Katrina. He raised more than $20,000 biking for Habitat for Humanity, and has also chaplained for the United States Penitentiary, Marion – as well as Hospice of Southern Illinois and Heartland Regional Medical Center. His personal interests were just as numerous and varied; in April 2000, Michael ran the inaugural Country Music Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee. Mike was an avid sportsman – he enjoyed fly fishing, fur trapping, and many forms of hunting – and counted as one of his most recent prized possessions a bear skin rug from a successful 2014 hunt in Maine. He also loved history; in his earlier days, he enjoyed participating in Revolutionary War reenactments at Fort de Chartres in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois; later in life, he apprenticed with his father Tom – learning how to make black powder long rifles from the same era. From biking to breadmaking, playing golf to sketching & drawing, and archery to poetry, Mike spent his years with us laughing, learning, living, and loving unconditionally. Michael loved his wife and his children, and they loved seeing the glimmer in his eye that came along with the gift of his only grandson and partial namesake: Hudson Michael James Wanck, age 6, of Washington, Illinois. He survives along with parents Sarah Wanck (daughter) and Gabriel Wanck (son-in-law.) Also surviving are Mike’s youngest and oldest children: daughter Leah Mayfield of Rantoul, Illinois, and son Adam Mayfield of Orlando, Florida. He also leaves behind sister and brother-in-law, Lyren and Steve Haney of Blandinsville, Illinois; two brothers, Blair Mayfield of Johnston City, Illinois, and Richard Mayfield of Springfield, Illinois; uncle, Jim Mayfield and his wife Donna of Saint Louis, Missouri; two aunts, Delores “Fifi” Senger and Pam Jones both of Springfield, Illinois; three sisters-in-law, Barbara Cowles of Cardington, Ohio, Patricia Lusch of Boulder City, Nevada, and Billie Jean Lusch of Centralia, Illinois; a host of wonderful nieces and nephews, other extended family, and hundreds of parishioners, colleagues, & friends. Finally, Michael is survived by Vickie Mayfield of rural Pittsburg, Illinois, his beloved bride and partner in ministry for more than 43 years. All of those he leaves behind will cherish their special moments with him, and the memories that Mike worked so hard to help them create.
Lula Ann McDonald, MDiv 1994, went to her final home on August 31, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. Lula Ann Hogan McDonald was born April 30, 1933 in El Paso, Texas, to Earl and Onita Hogan. Her family moved to Maryland when she was three, shortly after the family dog rescued her from drowning. Lula often told stories of trips she took with her father, baking cakes and making doll clothes with her mother. She loved Jesus, music, animals and children. Lula met her future husband, Robert McDonald, while working in an electronic repair store. They were married on July 12, 1952. Their oldest son was born in Maryland before the family moved to Florida. Lula’s desire from a young age was to be the mother of many children. Robert promised her they could have at least a dozen. They would eventually have seven children of their own, however, Lula mothered innumerable music students, Sunday school children and church youth members over the decades. Lula was an accomplished vocalist and pianist. She served the church through music for many years as a choir director, pianist and vocalist. In 1973, the family of then eight moved to southern Colorado. The final child was born several years later. While living in Colorado, a dream was born to enter into Christian ministry. Following that dream would take the family to Kentucky where Lula returned to college at the age of 49 to pursue a bachelor’s degree from Asbury College and then a master of divinity from Asbury Seminary. She was then ordained as a pastor in the Free Methodist Church of North America. Lula and Robert returned to southern Colorado in 1994 where she entered in the ministry and served faithfully until her retirement. Lula finished the last chapter of her life back in Kentucky where she passed away at age eighty four. Her home for the last two years of her life was at Pine Meadows Health Care in Lexington, Kentucky. Her family appreciates how she was cared for and loved there by the staff through the last years of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Webster McDonald, son, David Robert McDonald, brother, Earl Vincent Hogan, Jr. and great-granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Carter. She is survived by her children Susan (Richard) Bellotti, Linda (Paul) Stroh, Karen (Leonard) Roller, Alan (Delisa) McDonald, Daniel (Kiko) McDonald and Julie (Michael) Martinez as well as 21 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. Albert R. Miller, MDiv 1963, 90, of Shelton, CT who died on Friday, November 17, 2017 at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. Rev. Miller was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 15, 1927, son of the late Albert F. and Marietta (Johansen) Miller. Rev. Miller was a U.S. Navy veteran. He received his bachelor of science degree from New York University, his seminary degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY and his doctor of ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Mishawaka, IN. Rev. Miller was a pastor for over 50 years, serving several churches in New Jersey before becoming a member of the New York Conference in 1965. He pastored the following NY Conference churches: Bethel on Staten Island; Bedford Hills, NY; Hicksville on Long Island; First UMC in Stamford, CT; and Carmel, NY. Rev. Miller retired in 1989, and also served several churches in his retirement: Great Hill UMC in Seymour, CT; Seymour UMC ; Lake Mahopac and Holmes in NY; and Winsted, CT.
Pastor David W. Moody, MDiv 1972, age 71, of Newark, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at his residence. He was born July 18, 1946 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to the late David R. and Mabel (Caldwell) Moody. Pastor Moody was a pastor for thirty-five years before retiring in 2011. He had a strong faith in God and would pray and study God’s word every day. He was a very devoted father and husband and w ill be sadly missed. He was an avid reader, a Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets hockey fan, enjoyed collecting Boston Terrier figurines and hockey pucks. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Bonnie Jeannette (Snoor) Moody, whom he married on August 19, 1967; a very special Boston Terrier named “Shotzie”, three sons, David P. (Brandy) Moody of Hebron, Jonathan W. (Sienna) Moody of Millersport and Aaron J. (Kelly Walton) Moody of Newark; a daughter, Ruth Ann (Matt) Holmes of Newark; a sister, Sally Thomas of Pennsylvania; and six grandchildren, David, Sarah, Joshua, Lydia, Caleb and Kylee.
John Edward Moore, Jr., 70, died on Thursday evening, April 13, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born December 16, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John Edward, Sr. and Rita (Jarvis) Moore. John graduated from Central Bucks High School in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. After high school he attended Temple University in Philadelphia for two years. He served as a proud member of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve before becoming a commercial fisherman in Chincoteague Island, Virginia. John loved the aviation industry and worked for Continental Airlines in Florida as a mechanic before moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma to pursue a career in the field. In 1980, he graduated from Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology with a Diploma in Airframe and Powerplant Licensing. He received his instructor and pilots license from Tulsair Beechcraft. He went on to teach aviation maintenance at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology for one year. He met and married Frances Ann (Jackman) Moore at Will Rogers United Methodist Church in 1980. In 1982, the opened Sooner Ultralight, where John, taught and built private airframes. Shortly after opening the business, he also began teaching high school students at Tulsa VoTech. He enjoyed teaching aviation maintenance for over a decade. John felt he had a calling for ministry in the early 90’s. He started to pursue his Masters of Divinity at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He later moved to Kentucky to attend Asbury Theological Seminary to continue his education of ministry. In 1996, he attended the University of Dubuque, Iowa, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy. He was able to use his pastoral knowledge in local churches in the Tulsa area. He loved the Lord and was a gifted preacher and pastor. John was always seeking new adventures throughout his life. He accomplished many of his goals and saw much of the United States when he started a new career for Werner Trucking. He trained and drove trucks over a million miles, without one single accident. He suffered a 5-way heart bypass, that took him off the road for nearly 6 months. He continued to drive for another 4 years before retiring in 2005. He moved back to Tulsa in 2010, to be closer to family. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Edward, Sr. and Rita (Jarvis) Moore. Survivors includ e his wife, Frances Ann Moore of Tulsa; children, Joshua Moore of Tulsa and Jessica Moore of Tulsa; granddaughter, Blakely Mae of Tulsa; siblings, Elizabeth Penglase of Gouldsboro, PA and Barbara Alderfer and husband, Jim of Doylestown, PA; mother-in-law, Elsie Jackman of Tulsa; many nieces and nephews; loyal canine companion, Mako. He will be greatly missed. The family would like to extend a sincere appreciation to all of the caregivers of Saint Francis Hospice that lovingly cared for John. We are truly grateful for your dedication to him and to us.
Rev. Walter Roy Gamblin, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama passed away Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the age of 96. Rev. Gamblin is survived by his wife, Ann Dunaway Gamblin; children, Cheryl Gamblin (Barry) Holmes, Carol Gamblin (John) Lanier; 6 grandchildren: Christy (David) Tennant, Carrie (Jeff) Burnett, Hilary (Matt) McKinney, Clint (Kelly) Griffith, Melinda (Mike) Crouch, Joshua (Emily) Lanier, and 14 great-grandchildren. Born in Meridian, MS in 1921, Roy was a veteran of WWII. After the war, he graduated from Asbury College in 1949, attended Asbury Theological Seminary and graduated from Candler School of Theology in 1952. He married Ann Dunaway in 1951, and was ordained as a United Methodist minister in 1954 in the Mississippi Conference. Transferring to the AlabamaWest Florida Conference, Roy and Ann served churches in Canoe, AL, Chisholm in Montgomery, Pepperell in Opelika, Eclectic UM, Daleville UM, Clayton UM, Ashford UM, St. Luke UM in Montgomery, Fairview UM, Oak Valley UM, and Dexter Avenue UM. He continued to serve in many capacities at Aldersgate UM as a teacher, mentor, and service to the Lord. Special thanks to Dr. Bruce Kent and his staff for taking such good care of him for many years.
Rev. Robert Lee Spencer, BDiv 1959, of Lewisville, Texas, was born in Lavaca, Arkansas in March of 1932, to parents Fred and Ruby Spencer of Lavaca, Arkansas.He passed away on Monday, December 11, 2017. After graduating from Lavaca High School, Bobenlisted in the US Air Force where he served as Chaplain’s Assistant from 1951 to 1954. During that time he fell in love with and married Jane (Janie) Blackford of Tulsa. Upon his discharge from the service, he briefly attended College of the Ozarks in Arkansas and then was appointed as student pastor of E llison Avenue Methodist Church in El Reno, OK and the nearby Methodist churches of Wanette and Trousdale, while attending Oklahoma City University.In a few short years, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Preaching from OCU, a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY, and a Master’s Degree in Mission from Perkins Theological Seminary of SMU, Dallas. In December of 1961, Bob and Janie along with their two young sons, Rob and Michael, sailed for Brazil where they served as Methodist missionaries for nine years, first in Rio de Janeiro and then in Recife.In 1970, they returned to Texas from Brazil and he was appointed pastor of First United Methodist Church of Wylie where he served for 6 years, St. Philip’s UMC of Garland for 10 years, First UMC of Lewisville for 9 years, and Wesley UMC of Sulphur Springs for two years before retiring in 1997.After two years of fishing, he returned in 1999 to the active ministry to become part-time Associat e Pastor of Christ UMC of Farmers Branch, Texas, where he served for 18 years until his passing. During his many years of ministry, Bob reached thousands of people with his message and personal example of God’s love for all. Bob loved fishing, traveling, reading, and watching sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys, the Arkansas Razorbacks, and Kansas Jayhawks (after his grandson won a football scholarship). He was known to wear a red blazer on the occasional Sunday morning during football season. His passion for reading can be seen in the enormous library he accumulated, with a particular focus on biographies. He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ruby Spencer and his sister, JoAnn Butler, and brother-in-law, Rev. Nicky Blackford. He is survived by his wife, Janie, to whom he was happily married for 63 years; his sons Rob Spencer (Celeste)of Paris Texas, and Michael Spencer(John Clynch) of Seattle; grandchildren Colin Spencer, Brooke Spencer and Jill Hanson; great g randdaughter Kailynn Hanson; brothers, Hugh Spencer (Pat); brother Bruce Spencer (Barbara); nieces Stefani Wilder, Christi Foster, Cindy Valentine, and Jennifer Schmidt; nephews, Nick Spencer, Jason Spencer, Joey Butler, and Monte Butler; and sister-in-law, Linda Blackford.
Rev. Donald Arthur Wittbrodt quietly passed away at his home this October at the age of 91. He was born in Auburn, Michigan, in 1926, the son of the late Bernard and Martha (Wazny) Wittbrodt. Preceding him also in death was his beloved wife, Mery Melba (Quinones) Wittbrodt, this past December, 2016. Donald graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1944, and from Asbury College, Wilmore, KY in 1953. While in Kentucky, he met his future bride, Mery Quinones, from Argentina, who was attending Asbury seminary. They were married in February of 1956 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and honeymooned in Bariloche. Back in the states, Donald completed his Masters of Divinity at Temple University School of Theology and served as Methodist pastor from 1959 to 1984, though he worked his entire life, as he wrote in his final papers, in the Methodist ministry. This includes summer ministry work he did starting churches. Donald’s wife, Mery, taught Chemistry in various schools in Michigan, as a complement to Donald’s ministry work at many different Methodist parishes, also doing Christian work focusing on international missions and helping Michigan migrant families. Donald is of German, Polish ancestry. His ancestors emigrated to America in the 1870s. He was always very industrious, from working the farm in Auburn, to working several jobs to pay for his college education, as well as taking a break from the ministry to work odd jobs in 1974 so that his children could finish high school in their home town of Blissfield, instead of taking another parish in upper Michigan. Donald wrote that he also took time off in 1979 to 1986 to “work the dock” in Toledo, Ohio. At Emmanuel Methodist, he was a Sunday School teacher. Preceding him in death were his brothers, Robert, James, Kenneth, and Bernard, and four in-laws, Ann Wittbrodt, Andres Spies, Neil Periard, and Francis Sczepanski, and family friend Margaret Talicska. He is survived by two children, Deborah (Gary) Nystrom of Ann Arbor and Donald (Penny) Wittbrodt Jr. of Winchester, Ky.; three grandchildren, Janelle Nystrom, Ian (Bethany) Nystrom and Donald, a.k.a. Donnie (Jessica) Wittbrodt III, siblings; Mary Ann Periard, Bay City, William (Kathleen), Dorothy (James) Robbins all of Auburn, Carolyn (Gilbert) Igowski, New Berlin, WI., Thomas (Carole) Wittbrodt, Framingham, MA., Betty Sczepanski, Eureka, CA., Margaret (Jack) Woods of Midland, MI., and his sister-in-law, Vilma Spies in Moron, Buenos Aires, Argentina, as well as by over 150 nieces and nephews including his niece Lilian Spies.
Sahara Woods, MA in Youth Ministry, 2004, 36, went home to her heavenly “Daddy” November 12, 2017. A native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Sahara was the daughter of the late Janis Hamrick Woods and Gerald Woods who survives. In addition to her mother, she also was preceded in death by her grandmother Nona. Survivors include her father Gerald Woods of the home, numerous extended family, her “bestest” friend Patrick, and too many to count friends who all loved her dearly. She was currently a Chaplain for the United States National Guard of which she was passionately serving to her best. She was a member of First Baptist Church, and a member of the Praise Band at the church.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Louis “J.L.” Williams, 74, died December 28, 2016 at Alamance Regional Medical Center. He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on December 31, 1941 to the late Rev. Clarence Edward Williams and the late Edith Crouse Williams. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia “Patt” Joynt Williams. J.L.’s family heritage was rich in the church and in missions. He lived life to the fullest and gave himself to serving the Lord with reckless abandon. His spare time was spent with his kids and grandkids doing gardening, yardwork, woodworking, pond work – basically anything out of the house. He often quoted John Wesley, who said we should be ready to “preach, pray, or die at a moment’s notice.” And he told his family for years, “Do not mourn my death. I will never be more alive!” J.L. is certainly alive with the Lord forever. Upon graduating from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky in pre-med, J.L. received his Master’s at Duke University Divinity School in comparative world religions, and his Doctor of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary in contemporary counter-Christian cults. After he and Patt moved to Burlington to work with youth through the YMCA, J.L. founded The New, an interracial singing group that ministered all over the U.S. and overseas through the 1980s. As the ministry transitioned full-time to mission work in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, J.L.’s passion was to pour himself into cross-cultural partnerships, to equip strategic Christian leaders with practical and spiritual tools to reach the unreached for Christ. Whether it was preaching, teaching, writing, mentoring, agricultural projects, self-support initiatives, helping orphanages, etc., J.L. was absolutely relentless in serving Christ by serving others. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include his daughter Patricia “Trish” Williams Glover, husband Joe, and children Victoria, Jack, Emily Elizabeth, and Rebekah; daughter April Williams Atkins, husband Mark, and children Matthew and Emma; son Joseph Williams, wife Susannah, and children Nathanael and Abigail; son Jonathan Williams, wife Julie, and children Luke, Owen, and Joy Yael. He is also survived by his siblings, Ed Williams and wife Becky, Hannah Thompson and husband Keith, and Judy Baer and husband Charlie, as well as scores of extended family members . He was predeceased by a sister, Barbara Williams Miketta.
Jennifer Lynn Willis (nee Van de Wal), 48, died Friday, November 3, 2017, at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore surrounded by her loving family after a three-year battle with glioblastoma (brain cancer). Jennifer was born in Albany, New York, on August 19, 1969, to James and Katherine (Reinke) Van de Wal. She graduated with Honors from the State University of New York at Geneseo and earned her MBA at Loyola University of Baltimore. She had been working towards her Master of Divinity degree at Asbury Theological Seminary. Jen was employed by J. P. Morgan Chase as a Vice President managing many different projects. Jen was devoted to her family and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was active in the Rock Hall United Methodist Church and was, with her husband, Tom, instrumental in founding and maintaining Rock Hall’s back pack program. Jen founded Faith in Action, was a Sunday School teacher, and coordinated the food pantry. She served on and chaired many church boards. Jen was proud to be part of the Delmarva Emmaus & Chrysalis Community. She was an inspiration to all and will be remembered for her steadfast faith throughout her illness. “I know who I am – I know whose I am – and I know where I am going!” She was a loving mentor to many youth in the Rock Hall community. With her husband, Jen was very involved in Rock Hall Parks and Recreation, the PTA, and was a Girl Scout Troop leader for several years. Jen enjoyed hunting with her cousins and boating with her family on the Hudson River in upstate New York. In addition to her husband of 18 years, Thomas Willis, she is survived by her daughters, Kaitie and Kacey. Jennifer was predeceased by her son, Thomas Hunter Willis, Jr. She is survived by her parents and her brother, James Van de Wal, Jr., of Lake Tahoe, CA and her sister Kristin (Kevin) Dickerson of Rock Hall. Jen loved her nieces, Madeline and Julie Dickerson, and was especially close to her cousin, Katherine (Kate) Van de Wal. Art and Mary Sue Willis loved Jennifer as a daughter – a treasured member of their family. A host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews are also left to cherish her memory.
It should read “Rev Roy Gamblin” rather than “Rev Walter Roy”.
Thank you for catching this!