Obituaries
The Reverend Frederick I. Fox, MA 1973, 69, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at The James Ohio State University Hospital after suffering a heart attack on April 1, 2018, Easter Sunday, just hours after preaching his final sermon. Born July 17, 1948 in Coshocton, Ohio, he was the son of the late Clarence G. Fox and Vera (Stickle) Fox. Surviving are cousins Mary Anne (James) Williamson, of Warsaw, Ohio; Charles (Lois) Fox, of Danville, Ohio; Beverly (Chuck) Carrier, of Galion, Ohio; and Edwin (Betty) Fox, of Coshocton, Ohio. Rev. Fox was the pastor at First Wesleyan Church in Chillicothe for forty-five years, where he grew a dwindling church into a thriving community of people devoted to God. After graduating from Marion College in Marion, In. and Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY, he arrived in Chillicothe in 1973. Chillicothe would never be the same. Inspired by the love of His Heavenly Father, Fred’s love and influence was felt deep and wide throughout the community. He enjoyed connecting with people at the Ross County Fair-whether at Bennett and Wilbur’s Fish and Tenderloin Stand or the 4-H livestock sales. He was a longtime supporter of Southeastern Panther basketball and other youth events throughout the community. Fred was always up for a game of cards, where his competitive spirit was most evident. He thoroughly enjoyed taking trips to Myrtle Beach, where he loved to read and spend time with others. He often opened his home and provided a listening ear to those who were in need. Pastor Fred died peacefully surrounded by loved ones when he arrived to his eternal home. Heaven will never be the same.
Well done, good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21) The Rev. Kenneth W. Marckel, MDiv 1973, age 80, of Pickerington, passed away Monday, April 23, 2018, at Canal Winchester Skilled Rehab. He was born September 29, 1937, in Paulding County, Ohio. Ken was a member of Lithopolis United Methodist Church. A graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary, he pastored for 42 years at South Salem Parish, Greenfield, Ohio, Village and Hedges Chapel Churches, Ashville, Ohio, Groveport United Methodist Church, and Associate Pastor at Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church. Ken was a member of the West Ohio UMC Conference and Groveport Lodge #240 F.&A.M. He was an avid water-skier, loved his cats and enjoyed watching the game of basketball. Ken is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Elisabeth “Liz” Marckel; children, Vonda (Michael) Sweeney, Valerie (Christopher) Wood, Eric (Sarah) Herdman, Dr. Marc (Natalie) Herdman; grandchildren, Lauren (Kyle) Smith , Michael Sweeney, Caleb and Amelia Wood, Sam and Ben Herdman; brothers, Glen (Gloria) Marckel, Leslie (Cindy) Marckel; sister, Ramona Gephart; many nieces and nephews.
Following an extended illness, Reverend Alan Seaman, MDiv 1962, of Lebanon, Ohio passed away on his 88th birthday March 22, 2018. Alan served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Later he earned two masters degrees: one in Theology from Asbury Seminary, and another in Agricultural Education from Cornell University. Along with his wife Norma he used his background in agriculture to serve God in two mission fields-Pakistan for 10 years and Nigeria for 4. He also pastored several United Methodist churches in the West Ohio Conference. His overseas service, however, was the highlight of his life. His extraordinary organizational skills served him well both at home and abroad. Alan stayed involved in formal and advanced education his entire life in order to serve others. After retirement he earned an ESL (English as a Second Language) certificate and taught English to Hispanic students. Alan is survived by his wife of 66 years, Norma Kunz Seaman, and their 3 children: Ruth (Les) Freeman of Willseyville, NY, Paul (Catherine) Seaman of Santa Rosa, CA, and Miriam (Adam) Walter of Chico, CA. He also has one grandson, Freddy Christopher Mullins of Chico. Alan leaves behind 3 brothers and 3 sisters: P. David (Carol Fulmer) Seaman of Tempe, AZ, William Seaman of Redondo Beach, CA, Ray (Billie) Thorne of Westerville, OH, Ruth Anne (Harry) Smith of Columbia, MD, Nancy Gibilisco of Hamilton, NJ, and Martha Taylor of Reisterstown, MD. Alan was preceded in death by his daughter Martha Seaman of Ithaca, New York, and by 4 siblings Esther, Joseph, Janet, and Clark Seaman.
Rev. Gene Edward Sheffield Jr, MDiv 2001, 56, entered into heavenly rest at his home in Locust Grove, GA, on March 25, 2018 after an extended illness. He is preceded in death by his father, Gene Edward Sheffield Sr, and by his sister, Connie Sheffield Dollar. In his early years, Gene earned his associates degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural School in Tifton, GA. He went on from there to the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Radiologic Technology. He began his career by serving at MCG and later at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Augusta. It was during those years at St. Joseph’s he met and married the love of his life the former Catherine Elaine Carpenter. They became the parents of Carrie Ann Sheffield and Gene Edward Sheffield III (Tripp). Gene’s love of music and his beautiful tenor voice led him and his wife to sing in the Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church Chancel Choir in Augusta. During this time, God began calling Gene to the ministry. A little while later after experiencing The Walk to Emmaus, Gene accepted God’s call on his life. It was soon he, his wife, and his children moved to Wilmore, Kentucky where he earned his Masters of Divinity Degree at Asbury Theological Seminary. Once ordained as a minister in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, he served New Hope UMC, Locust Grove, as their Pastor; Griffin First UMC as Associate Pastor; and his last appointment as pastor at Jodeco Road UMC, Stockbridge. Survivors besides his wife and children are his mother, Audie Jones Sheffield, Eastma n, GA, and his brother Tom Sheffield (April) of Tifton, GA; nieces, Gina Dollar Weatherford (John), Angela Dollar Livingston (Jason) and Katie Sheffield; nephews, Will Sheffield (Lauren), and Noah Sheffield. Gene was passionate about his faith, his family, his church, and the Walk to Emmaus Community. His hobbies include; community theater, guitar playing, singing, fishing, golfing, cooking, reading and just being with his congregations during Wednesday night suppers and other events. In both of his careers, he devoted himself to the service of others.
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