Januay 2017 Obituaries

William F. Abernathy, M.Div. 1970, D. Min. 1987,  age 79, Of Joplin, Mo. passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Bill was born November 12, 1936 in Richmond, Va. He received his Master’s Degree in Librarianship from The University Of South Carolina, and his Doctorate In Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. Bill was the former Pastor of The Slash Christian Church In Peaks, Va., and The West End Church in Richmond, Va. He moved to the Joplin Area in 1987 when he became the Director Of Library Services At Ozark Christian College. In 2002 he moved to Gravette, Ar. to become the Minister of First Christian Church. He held that position for 4 ½ years and then returned to the Joplin area, where he was actively involved in the Christian faith, and was currently attending First Christian Church of Joplin. Bill served as a former President of The Association of Christian Librarians and was a consultant to Libraries in Barbados, St. Vincent, Jamaica, Haiti, Palestine, Israel, And Kenya. Bill volunteered at George Washington Carver National Monument, Precious Moments, and Freeman Hospital Information Center. Bill is survived by his wife Sandra Bremner, and his brother, Hugh B. Abernathy Jr.

William (Bill) Milton Pope, M.Div. 1945, age 97, of Maryville, Tennessee passed away Friday, October 28, 2016 at Blount Memorial Hospital. His joys in life were tennis, golf, singing, and preaching the gospel. Bill was born in Harlan, Kentucky where he graduated from Harlan High School in 1938. He went on to attend Union College, where he and his two older brothers and a cousin were the tennis team. He transferred to Asbury College, graduated, and then entered Asbury Theological Seminary. Following graduation from Seminary he married Genevieve Yoder. Their union lasted 71 years until his death. In the same year of graduating and getting married he was assigned to serve his first church in September 1945. He remained a minister in the Kentucky United Methodist Conference for 40 years before retiring. During that time he served seven different churches in central and eastern Kentucky and was District Superintendent for six years. In addition, he served on a number of Methodist Conference boards and was a representative of the Conference. In 1974 he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College. After retirement he and Genevieve lived in Flemingsburg, Kentucky for 5 years before moving to Maryville, Tennessee to be near the families of their two sons. Bill is survived by his wife Genevieve Yoder Pope; sons, William David and wife Dr. Mary Pope, Joseph Y. and wife Deborah C. Pope.

Norman Maurice Taylor, B.Div. 1951, age 92, of Kansas City, Kansas, went to be with his Lord Thursday, November 3, 2016 at The Olathe Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. Norman was born February 26, 1924 to Morris And Maude Taylor, in Wichita, Ks. Norman graduated from Wichita North High School and went to Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Norman, a Purple Heart recipient, served in the Army in WWII as an Infantryman in the 1st Armored Division and participated in Battles At Anzio Beachhead and Monte Cassino where he was wounded. Norman was a deeply patriotic man and tried to reenlist in The Army during the Vietnam War as a Chaplain. He was not eligible due to his age, but there’s no doubt if his country had called him to duty at any age, he would’ve gone! After the war, he returned home to finish his schooling. After finishing seminary, he met his beautiful bride, Billie Joan Patton and they married in 1954, and together they served the Lord. During his 40-year ministry, Norman had the blessing to Pastor at churches in Pineville, Mo; Cassville, Mo; Crane, Mo; Brookfield, Mo and finishing out his ministry at Bethel Presbyterian Church In Kansas City, Ks. Norman is preceded in death by his beloved wife Billie Joan, and is survived by his Son, Mike Taylor; Daughter, Joan (Harry) Spee and 6 grandchildren. 

Rev. Dr. Joe R. Hale, DDiv. 1978, age 81, died on November 14 at Silver Bluff Village, near Canton, N.C., where he lived with his wife, Mary Richey Hale. A worship service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, November 17th, 2:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, N.C. Rev. Sanford L. Giles, Jr. and Bishop Ivan M. Abrahams, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council will officiate. Joe was a native of Camden, Arkansas, the son of the late Alfred Clay Hale and Bess Akin Hale. His father was a school teacher and a consultant for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When his father served one full year in Thailand, accompanied by Joe, the experience abroad made an indelible impact upon him, initiating his fascination with global Christianity. Young Joe was good at academics; but, at age 9, he demonstrated interest and acumen for performing magic tricks, doing 30-40 intriguing shows per year in the Camden area. At age 13, Joe met a noted magician Harry Blackstone and even assisted him in a performance. In high school Joe began a life-long love for playing musical instruments, beginning with trumpet performances. As an adult, he learned harp and played for personal entertainment. At the age of 16, Joe was inspired by the preaching of Billy Graham, whereby the faith of his childhood was deepened with evangelical fervor. Later in life, he and Graham became personal friends and were mutually supportive in their evangelical endeavors. Joe’s early passion for proclaiming the Gospel was born, and he started preaching in small Methodist churches and camp meetings in south Arkansas. Joe combined his intriguing gifts in magic with his enthusiasm for preaching as he took his magic show to thousands of fellow youth at the beach upon spring breaks during his student years at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. Upon graduation from Asbury in 1957, Joe matriculated at Perkins School of Theology, the seminary at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Upon his graduation from seminary in 1960, Joe was recognized for his innate skills and intense passion for evangelism and was, consequently, appointed by his bishop to serve on the staff of the General Board of Evangelism, working under the guidance of the legendary Harry Denman. Through the encouragement of his colleague and friend on the Board’s staff, Ed Beck (an All-American basketball player on the University of Kentucky’s National Championship team), Joe met Mary Richey of Paris, Texas. After a brief courtship, they were married in 1964. Mary was the Director of Christian Education at First Methodist Church in Odessa, Texas, and the two became partners in dynamic ministries of proclamation and teaching for the ensuing four decades. In 1968, Joe was elevated to the position of Director of Ecumenical Evangelism for the Board of Evangelism, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. He led the planning for a World Conference on Evangelism in Jerusalem held in 1974, attended by over 2, 500 persons from around the world. Joe interacted with many Palestinian Christians, resulting in his life-long sensitivity to the plight of those that suffered injustices and oppression in their native land. Joe’s careful planning of this global conference did not go unnoticed. Thus, at the gathering of the World Methodist Council in 1976, meeting in Dublin, Ireland, Joe R. Hale was elevated to the position of General Secretary of the Council and held that position until his retirement in September of 2001. When the World Methodist Council gathered for its Conference in Brighton, England, journalist Ron Patterson wrote this tribute upon Joe’s retirement, “To most of those assembled, Joe Hale has personified the World Methodist Council. During my own 30 years of church journalism, I have not known a more committed, faithful, and generous spirit. Joe is someone who is always building platforms for others, with generosity and a genuine sense of humility.” Joe Hale’s warmth of personality and ability to bring a solidarity of purpose to 36 million members of the World Methodist Council with a constituency of over 70 million people with residents in 130 countries, uniting in one spirit these many cultures, was indeed remarkable! Joe seemed to embrace these many delegates as a brother or sister. He sought to know personally as many as possible within the Wesleyan family of churches. Dr. Hale presided with distinction over five great conferences of the World Methodist Council, held in the following locations: Honolulu, Hawaii (1981); Singapore (1986); Nairobi , Kenya 1991); Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1996); and Brighton, England (2001). Joe will especially be remembered for his courageous advocacy for the powerless and dispossessed. When he received the World Methodist Peace Award, the citation stated, “You have shown courage as you led Methodist people in seeking to end the apartheid system in South Africa, and in empowering the Methodist Movement to seek reconciliation amidst disunity in Fiji. You have been consistent, forthright, and passionate in giving a voice to the hope of peace and equality of Palestinians in the Middle East. Through your voice and vision others see ‘more clearly’ the need for justice to ensure a lasting peace in the land which is called Holy.” Previous recipients had included Anwar Sadat of Egypt; Elias Chacour of Israel/Palestine; Kofi Annan, General Secretary of the United Nations; and Nelson Mandela, President of a liberated South Africa. As General Secretary of the Council, Joe worked ardently in preserving the distinguished heritage of the Methodist movement. The World Methodist Museum at Lake Junaluska received and preserved priceless treasures during his tenure. When Dr. Hale learned about the deplorable state of “the Mother Church of Methodism” in London, he launched a global campaign to “Save Wesley’s Chapel.” This historic building had already been condemned and closed with plans for demolition. Joe, consequently, led the global effort to raise one million dollars donated from Wesleyan denomination to be matched by equal funds from British Methodists. When Joe attended the re-opening of the Chapel in 1978, he was joined by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Ten years later Dr. Hale played a key role in planning the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of John Wesley’s heart-warming experience at Aldersgate. This significant occasion of worship at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was attended by the royal family and televised in many portions of the world. In 1982, Dr. Hale attended a distinguished gathering of Secretaries of Christian World Communions, including ecclesiastical leaders of Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Baptists, Anglicans and other global bodies. At that gathering of General Secretaries, Joe Hale was elected Chair and served in that capacity for the next five years. Joe R. Hale is the recipient of three honorary academic degrees: Doctor of Humane Letters from Florida Southern University (1994), Doctor of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary (1978), and his alma mata, Asbury College (2005). In 2002 Perkins School of Theology gave tribute to their favorite son by presenting Joe with the Distinguished Service Alumnus Award. The Foundation for Evangelism named Joe the Distinguished Evangelist of the United Methodist Church for 2001. Joe is survived by his wife Mary of Silver Bluff Village and their son, Jeffrey, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, living in Raleigh, N.C. He will be remembered by thousands around the world for his embodiment of the Christian spirit. A man of genuine humility, he constantly affirmed others and sought no recognition for himself. He was an unselfish servant to others whose life constantly pointed to the primacy of Christ. His greatest happiness was always to be in the presence of his beloved Mary who held his hand in good times and bad and was at his side when he breathed his final breath. Rev. Charles Whittle, Executive Director of the National Association of United Methodist Evangelists, succinctly spoke for Joe’s most intimate friends from around the globe when he said, “Where ever his appointment, Dr. Hale has always been first and foremost an evangelist-a bearer of the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

Reverend Theodore E. Cutrell, MDiv 1971, 71, of Greenwood, Indiana, succumbed to ALS and peacefully went to join his Heavenly Father on Saturday, November 12th, 2016.Ted is survived by his wife, Harleen, of 48 years, sons Shaun (Donna) Cutrell and Brandon (Rob) Cutrell, mother Norma Cutrell, father-in-law Edward Bennett, brothers James Cutrell and Robert (Judy) Moffat, sisters Cheryl Rexrode and Lisa (Robert) Shank and twin grandsons Bennett and Nolan Cutrell. He is preceded in death by his father James Cutrell, mother Goldie Lutes, stepfather Walter Lutes, mother-in-law Carolyn Bennett and twin brother Frederick Cutrell. Ted was a loving father, husband, grandfather, friend, and pastor to all. Ted graduated from Columbus High School in 1964. He continued his education and earned degrees from Greenville College and Asbury Theological Seminary. After earning his Masters of Divinity, he pastored at Mount Vernon Free Methodist Church (Mount Vernon, Indiana; 2 years), Newton Free Methodist Church (Newton, Illinois; 2 years), First Free Methodist Church (Lafayette, Indiana; 9 years), East Columbus United Methodist Church (Columbus, Indiana; 7 years) and Christ United Methodist Church (Indianapolis, Indiana; 24 years). He loved movies, books, forensics, Lifetime TV, VW Beetles, the Colts, the Purdue Boilermakers, fish sandwiches and, perhaps more than anything, his grandchildren. Most importantly, he taught everyone he met how to truly love others.

Walter Carlisle Gillingham, MACE 1965, 84 was born in Weatherford, Oklahoma on December 4, 1932; the second child of Leonard I. and Dorothy Carlisle Gillingham. Much of Walter’s growing-up years were spent in Caddo County, in Anadarko, the Oney Community with some time spent in Taloga, and Hobart Oklahoma. He graduated from Oney High School in 1950 as the valedictorian. In the fall of 1950 he began his college career at Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma, graduating in 1954. He then continued his studies at Northwestern Bible College, Minneapolis, MN for two years. Here he met and married Leeta Bradford. Leaving Northwestern, Walter took a position as the teacher of a one-room school in western South Dakota. At the end of two years he and Leeta moved to Wilmore, KY for Walter to continue his education at Asbury Seminary. Here he received a Master’s Degree in Christian Education. Following this achievement, Walter and Leeta moved to Pascagoula, Mississippi where he served as the Director of Christian Education at the Methodist Church. His marriage to Leeta ended at this time and Walter returned to Oklahoma. The next few years Walter received a Master’s Degree in Education at Southwestern and taught school in western Oklahoma. In the early 1970’s Walter relocated to Tuscan, Arizona where he became a special education teacher, continuing in that position until his retirement. Soon after arriving in Tuscan Walter met Nettie Mae Worthington McCoy at the church they were attending. Walter was directing the choir and Nettie was singing in the choir. Soon a romance developed and on March 14, 1976 they were married. Walter and Nettie enjoyed their Church and the friends they had there and took a number of trips with the Church group to Church events all over the nation and the world. On these trips, Walt indulged his life-long love of photography by taking hundreds of pictures which he organized into albums for their enjoyment and for sharing with family and friends In 1999 Walter and Nettie moved back to Caddo County, Oklahoma. They lived on acreage north of Ft. Cobb Lake where Walter established a small orchard and kept a sizeable garden. In 2015 Walter began having health problems that required him to move into Weatherford to be nearer doctors and a hospital. He and Nettie moved into Brookdale Assisted Living Center. Continued health concerns made it necessary for him to move to Corn Heritage Village Nursing Facility in Weatherford where he died peacefully on November 14, 2016 at the age of 83 years, 11 months and 16 days. Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Dorothy, and two brothers, E. Leonard and David L. “Red” Gillingham and an infant nephew, John David Gillingham. Surviving Walter are his wife, Nettie of Weatherford, OK, one step¬daughter, Rita and a step-granddaughter, Sophia of Arizona; a step-granddaughter, Jennifer of Italy. He is also survived by a brother, Charles and his wife Pauline of Borger, Tx; his sister, Wilma and her husband, Duane Fullerton of Alfalfa, OK.

Rev. Floyd Walker B’Hymer, MDiv. 1963, 78, was born in Independence Kentucky on March 1st, 1938. He was called to preach at the age of 18 under the ministry of Bob Baldridge at the First Evangelical Methodist Church in Covington, Kentucky. He turned down a four year music scholarship to the University of Kentucky to attend Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky and completed his Masters of Divinity at Asbury Seminary. In his junior year of college he married his high school sweetheart JoAnn Barnett and they served together faithfully for over 58 years in the ministry with the Evangelical Methodist Church. He served as Pastor at American Avenue in Lexington, Kentucky; Macon, Georgia; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Covington, Kentucky; Parkersburg, West Virginia; Dalton, Georgia and Salem, Virginia. He then served as the Central Lakes District Superintendent for six years while residing in Columbus, Indiana. He and JoAnn retired to Tomball, Texas in 2008 to be near their daughter Pam, husband John and grandchildren Landon and Zack. In his retirement he filled the pulpit for the Nazarene church in the cities of Victoria, Texas; Corpus Christi, Texas, Pasadena, Texas, and The Woodlands, Texas while the churches were in search for a pastor. In the last few weeks of his life he was still reaching out to those around him in the hospital as he witnessed to Nurses, Doctors, and anyone who entered the room. He will be greatly missed and we are thankful for the many years we were able to have him with us. His favorite scripture is 1 John 1:7 (KJV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. He favorite color was blue. He loved hunting and fishing. His motto’s were, Be a help not a hinderance, Keep it short and you must win people to yourself before you can win them to Christ.

Rev. Robert “Bob” T. Berkebile, BDiv 1952, age 93, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, as a resident of Laurelbrooke Landing, in Brookville, PA. Bob was born on July 18, 1923, in Johnstown, PA, to the late Lowman Blair and Dora (Warsing) Berkebile. He was a retired United Methodist minister. He also was a World War II Army combat veteran serving with the 75th Infantry Division. During the Battle of the Bulge he was severely wounded and he became a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. On July 18, 1946, he married Ardene (Higgins) Berkebile; after 42 years together, she preceded him in passing in January of 1988. On March 23, 1990, he married Betty (Sawyer) Berkebile, during their short time together, she fell ill and preceded him in passing in February of 1992. On April 24, 1993, he married Alice (Love) Berkebile; for over 23 years they have supported each other, and Alice survives him. After his service in the military, Bob attended and graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University and Asbury Theological Seminary. After his graduation and ordination he served congregations in Pleasantville, PA, Brookville, PA, Connersville, IN, Knightstown, IN, and Indianapolis, IN. In addition to his wife Alice, Bob is survived by 2 daughters; Vee Ann (Ron) Schmidt of Myrtle Beach, SC; Lyn Berkebile of Indianapolis, IN; 2 step-sons; Ronald (Gladine) Reitz of McMurray, PA; Larry Reitz of Titusville, PA; 2 step-daughters; Shirley (Chuck) Baily of Waynesburg, PA; Connie (Anson) Brosius of Mayport, PA; 1 granddaughter; Mary Carter of Albany, IN; 1 great-granddaughter; Madalyn Milner of Albany, IN; and numerous step-grandchildren. In addition to his wife Ardene, his 2nd wife Betty, and his parents, Bob is preceded in death by 4 brothers; Harry (Florence) Berkebile; George Berkebile; Ralph (Helen) Berkebile; Earl (June) Berkebile; 2 sisters, both of which passed as young children; Myrtle and Dorathea Mae.

David L. Stanton, MDIV 1957, 88, of Plains KS, died November 18, 2016 at the Meade District Hospital. He was born October 24, 1928 in rural Plains, KS, to Vernon and Julia Bond Stanton. David graduated from Plains High School, Friends University and received his masters at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY. David was a farmer, crop duster, school teacher and as a vocalist enjoyed a singing career which took him throughout the U.S. and Caribbean. He taught vocal music in the school system of Lindenhurst (Long Island), NY where he met his wife Karen Razey also teaching in that school system. Karen died July 23, 2011. His varied career also included working as a piano tuner and technician on Long Island, and in Nevada and Kansas as well as teaching flight school in Nevada. He returned to Kansas in 1963 to help his father operate the farm northwest of Plains and continued in that endeavor until his retirement. A commercial pilot, aviation was one of his great loves and his various charity work included flying donated clothing to Oklahoma Indian reservations. When recently asked by his doctor how long he wanted to live he replied, “at least long enough to vote for Trump, twice.” Survivors Include: 2 Sons: Todd Stanton Plains, KS; Victor Stanton (and wife) Leonardville, KS; Brother: Marshall (Janice) Stanton Salina, KS; Sister-In-Law: Joyce Blinn Stanton Birmingham, MI; 2 Grandchildren He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and a brother, Harold Stanton.

Rev. Howard F. Boyle, BDiv 1964 & MTh 1970, 90, of South Bend, IN, (formerly Hot Springs, SD), passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at his residence with his loving and caring family at his bedside. Howard was born on April 1, 1926, in Vivian, South Dakota, to the late Everett Francis and Pauline Frances (DuVall) Boyle. On June 10, 1949, Howard married Leah Pearl Audiss in Martin, South Dakota. Howard and Leah shared 66 years of commitment to each other before Leah’s passing in January 2016. Howard is survived by their 4 children, James H. (Katherine) Boyle, Virginia Coleman, Esther (Brian) Powell and Elizabeth (Dean) Awe. Howard was a grandfather to 9 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Howard is survived by his sister, Hazel (Keith) Williams; his brother, John (Bonnie) Boyle. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Harold, Hall William and Robert. Howard and Leah served as missionaries, sharing the love of Christ, among the Lakota people in South Dakota for over 40 years. Howard was an ordained elder in The Wesleyan Church and held an MTh from Asbury Theological Seminary. Howard, an electrician by trade, owned and operated Boyle Electric from 1952 until the time of his death. He held an SD electrical contractor’s license for over 40 years. Howard will be remembered as a man with a joke and/or a song for every occasion and for playing the accordion while he and Leah sang.

Garry Evan Ruff, MDiv 2008, age 69, born to Flavil Leon and Elizabeth Mary Ruff, passed away early October 3, 2016. Garry was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Karen. Garry leaves behind his wife Nancy Ruff, as well as son, Paul Ruff (Cindy), and daughter Lori Cripple (John). Other surviving family include; brother, Jerry Ruff (Sharon), sister, June Leasure (Charles), two step sons, Charles Head (Tracy) and Brian Head (Amy); five grandchildren Daniel, Craig, Reagan Ruff, Kaylee, and Madelyn. An Ohio native and graduate from Steubenville High School in 1965, Garry also received his Bachelors of Chemical Engineering from Ohio University in 1969. Garry also earned his Bachelors of Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi. After over thirty years of employment, Garry retired from Dupont in 2004. In 2004; Garry responded to a call to ministry, earning a Master of Divinity in 2008 from Asbury Seminary. Garry was an active participant of the Mississippi Conference, Seashore District Church Building and Location Committee, as well as Mississippi Annual Conference Journal Staff. Reverend Ruff served as pastor for Midway United Methodist Church and most recently, Cedar Lake United Methodist Church until 2015. Earlier this year, Garry was appointed Vice Chair of the Mississippi Conference board of Pensions.

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