Alumni Obituaries – January 2015
The Rev. Dr. Ernest R. Babel, (MDiv., 1967), 73, passed away peacefully at his home in Ashland, Va., surrounded by his family, October 18, 2014. Ernie was born in Batavia, N.Y., and was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Irma. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Roberta Ann; four children, Beth (James), Gregory, Philip, Sara (Dave); his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Charles, Gary and Timothy; and sisters, Margery, Judith and Sharon; his nieces and nephews. Ernie began his formal education at Elim Bible Institute. He then earned his undergraduate degree from Roberts Wesleyan College, his Masters of Theology and Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, and his Doctorate of Ministry from Emory University. Ernie began his ministry in 1969, first as the pastor of Allegany Free Methodist Church, followed by Gerry Free Methodist Church, in his home state of New York. Moving to Virginia in 1976, he served Enon United Methodist Church (Mechanicsville), Smith’s Grove UMC (Petersburg), New Hope UMC (Fredericksburg) and St. Peter’s UMC (Montpelier). In retirement, Ernie served for seven fulfilling years as Minister with Seniors and Homebound for Shady Grove UMC (Mechanicsville), where he continued to serve until his recent diagnosis of late-stage cancer. Ernie was easily recognized in any one of his trademark hats while visiting throughout the community. He was a highly respected man of many talents. He enjoyed woodworking, repairing farm machinery and automobiles, refinishing furniture and remodeling homes and churches. His work ethic was rooted in the farming community where he was raised. From throwing hay to constructing concrete-stave silos, he learned to work hard, pay attention, and help others. In addition to these fine qualities, he was a caring and dedicated father, a true foundation for his family. A friend to all who knew him, Ernie will be greatly missed.
June J. Clendaniel, (MAR, 1978), 63, of Dover, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, at Emeritus Senior Living. June was born on June 23, 1951 in Dover. She attended Allentown Bible Institute and Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. June is survived by her two brothers, Harold and Roy, and his wife Jane.
Reverend Thomas W. Ditto, (B.Div., 1952), 88, husband of Frances “Fran” Miller Ditto for 68 years, went to be with his Lord, Thursday, November 20, 2014 at Wesley Village. He was born February 11, 1926 in Vine Grove, KY. Rev. Ditto was a United Methodist Pastor for over 41 years and served in WWII with the US Navy. At the age of 19 he was called upon to lead a memorial service aboard his ship in the South Pacific for the death of President Roosevelt. This began his life of ministry. Other survivors include four sons: Rev. Dennis (Judy) Ditto of Perrysburg, OH, Dr. David Ditto of Nicholasville, KY, Dale (Louisa) Ditto of Lexington, KY and Douglas (Karen) Ditto of Danville, KY; 14 grandchildren: Jessica, Jenny, Lauren, Lana, Lindsay, Lydia, William, Stewart, David, Jack, Daniel, Rachel, Emma and Andrew; 10 great-grandchil-dren; and one brother, William (Paula) Ditto of Louisville, KY. He was preceded in death by a brother, James David Ditto, who gave his life as a pilot in WWII.
Reverend Floyd R. Dunlap, (MDiv., 1951), 89, died Nov. 19, 2014, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born March 6, 1925 in Haviland, Kan., the son of Oren and Mabel Hoskins Dunlap. He was a graduate of Haviland Academy, Friends University, and Asbury Seminary. He was a recorded minister with the Friends Church. He served as principal at multiple Christian schools. He served in the Pacific during WWII as a medic with the Marine Corp. He married Esther Moon on June 22, 1947, in Emporia. She died in Oct. of 2002. He married Norma Quick in 2004. She died in 2007. He married Hope Kinser in 2010. She survives. Additional survivors include: two daughters, Marsha Tarr (Kent) of Watsonville, Calif. and Cynthia Stites of Hutchinson; and two grandsons, Paul Kenney (Brandi) of Shawnee, and Mark Stites of Hutchinson. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, David Dunlap; and a sister, Ruth Jackman.
The Reverend Elton Eugene (Gene) Stewart, (B.Div., 1956), 93, died on October 30, 2014. Born in Daisy, Washington, Gene was the oldest of three children who were all raised on his grandfather’s homestead. He married Minerva Todd on June 6, 1941. He received a BA from Seattle Pacific College, a divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, and an MA from Southern Illinois University. He was ordained in the Free Methodist Church and served as pastor in Chewelah, Washington; Priest River, Idaho; and at the Rainier Avenue Church in Seattle, and as interim pastor at the Burien Free Methodist in Burien, Washington. He taught Bible and theology at Central College (KS) and Greenville College (IL). Gene and Minerva also served as missionaries in Yeotmal, India. Following Minerva’s death, he renewed a friendship with Beth Beckelhymer, and they were married December 28, 1985. He accompanied Beth to South Africa to teach at the Evangelical Seminary of Southern Africa for Beth’s last missionary term. They retired to their home in Seattle and enjoyed traveling, visiting relatives, and worshiping at the Rainier Avenue Free Methodist Church until they moved to the Warm Beach Senior Community in 2001. Highlights of his life-long ministry include serving as a soloist on a two-person, around the world, evangelistic trip under the Slavic Gospel Mission, loving and making friends with so many people in each of the churches he served, touching the lives of so many students who took his classes, experiencing the blessings of cross-cultural missionary work, walking the streets for Nightwatch, and becoming friends with “everybody” in the Senior Community. He also enjoyed the role of “patriarch” of his family. He is survived by his wife Beth Beckelhymer Stewart, MA ‘60, daughter and son in law, two granddaughters, including Cindy Fortune Spencer, M.Div. ’94, five grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.