Obituaries
Dr. Melvin E. Dieter, Former Faculty Member, 93, former General Secretary of Educational Institutions for The Wesleyan Church, died on October 6, 2018, in Lyndhurst, Virginia. His wife of more than 72 years, Hallie Arline Kirtz Dieter, died the following day. In 1968, when the merging General Conference was held in Anderson, Indiana, the conference delegated the election of General Secretary for Educational Institutions to the General Board of Administration. Neither The Wesleyan Methodist Church nor the Pilgrim Holiness Church had such a department prior to merger. But since ten colleges were carried over into the new denomination, the daunting task of reshaping promotional and fund-raising boundaries was assigned to the newly established department. The General Board chose Dr. Dieter, who was properly qualified for this responsibility. He had served as president of Eastern Pilgrim College from 1961-1967 and had accepted the position of dean at Houghton College prior to the merging general conference. He had also served as pastor of the Chichester Wesleyan Church in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Muhlenberg College; Navy Language Institute, University of Colorado, as a Chinese language specialist; Eastern Pilgrim College; Lehigh University, and Temple University where he earned his Ph.D. in 1973. He left the Department of Educational Institutions in 1975 and went on to serve as a professor of church history and historical theology and later as vice-president and provost at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, retiring in 1990. He was an author and considered an outstanding historian of the holiness movement.
Rev. Patti Fuller, MDiv 1990, age 55, of Lawrence Park entered eternity on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, after a two year battle with cancer. Patricia was born March 15, 1963 in Erie, Pennsylvaina to Ruth Moody Lewis and the late Robert Harry Lewis. Patti was a member of the Iroquois class of 1981 and a graduate of Slippery Rock University and Asbury Theological Seminary where she earned her M.Div. She worked in various ministries throughout her career, including minister of music at South Harborcreek UMC, staff chaplain at the University of Kentucky Medical Center and various chaplaincy positions in the area, most notably Presbyterian Homes and the Wesbury Community in Meadville. Patti had a gift for music and was involved in the Clergy Chorus of the Western PA Conference of the UM Church and the Presque Isle Chorale and shared it in the many churches in which she served and worshiped. Patti is survived by her husband of 21 years, Rev. Robert P. Fuller; her two sons, Robert Wesley and Patrick; her mother, Ruth; her brother, Dr. Christopher Lewis and his wife Mindy; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends, especially Cindy and Roger Dougan of Harborcreek, who opened their home to Patti and the family during her time with Hospice. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Lewis.
Reverend Dr. Frank B. Seghers, Jr., MDiv 1965, was born December 10, 1939, in Orlando, Florida to Francis (Frank) Berchmans Seghers Sr. and Jet Wintter Seghers, and joined the love of his life, Barbara Ellen Stiles Seghers, in heaven on September 25, 2018, after a long illness. He was also predeceased by his sister Jet Wintter Prendeville. He is survived by his son, Jeremy Frank Seghers, presently of Orlando, Florida, three nieces, one nephew, and several great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Dr. Seghers was a graduate of The Bolles School, Jacksonville, Florida, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University, Atlanta , Georgia, and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky. He went on to receive a Doctorate of Divinity from Florida Beacon Bible College, Largo, Florida. As a United Methodist minister for over 50 years, Dr. Seghers pastored several churches in Florida including St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, St. Petersburg, Florida, Bayshore United Methodist Church, Tampa, Florida, and Lakeshore United Methodist Church, Jacksonville, Florida. He also traveled with his wife, Barbara, as an evangelist for eight years, holding desegregated church camp meetings throughout the south in the early 1970s. Dr. Seghers often said it was his calling to “serve God, and love the people.” He was a lover of chocolate, children, and The Golden Girls of which his favorite was Sophia. Special thanks extended to Dr. Seghers’ incredible caregivers Rossana Kirk, Theresa Coram, and Barry Griffin of Griswald Home Healthcare who ensured that he had 24 hour care whether at home or in the hospital.
The Reverend Harvard James Warren, MDiv 1953, age 92, passed away peacefully and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday October 2, 2018. Harvard is survived by his wife, Katharine Moore McFaddin Warren. His children, Pamela (Dale) Schocke of Buford, GA, Donna Huertas of Garden City, MI, and David Warren of Charlotte, NC. Stepchildren David (Lynda) McFaddin, MD of Ocala, FL and Laurie (Greg) Jones of Beavercreek, OH. He is also survived by a brother, Reverend Donald (Nancy) Warren, sisters Laura (Robert) Erb and Lois (Edwin) Wensley. Harvard has 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Harvard is preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Hancock Warren and sisters Dorothy, Ruby Johnson, Marion Tolliver, and Eleanor Waybrant. Harvard was born on January 9, 1926 in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan to Jay Russell Warren and Ellisa Jane Fagin Warren. He served in the US Navy during WWII. Harvard graduated from Greenville College and Asbury Seminary. He spent his life and career in ministry to our Lord Jesus Christ in both Free Methodist and United Methodist churches. He pastored churches in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Florida. His last pastorate was at First United Methodist Church in Bradenton, Florida where he served as Pastor for the homebound. Harvard loved being a part of the House of God. He devoted his life to helping people find Christ. He had a passion spreading the word of our Lord especially to those who were unable to attend church. He would pray, talk and administer communion. He enjoyed singing and sang in a quartet at Greenville College. He was a soloist, led singing during services and sang in the choir. Harvard enjoyed camping and traveling with his family. Vacations were spent traveling to historical destinations as well as National Parks. He was a sports enthusiast following Detroit Tigers and Lions. He loved track and field events and participated in Senior Olympics earning several gold and silver medals.
Melvin Ieter was a wonderful man and teacher. He guided me through a study of Phoebe Palmer. I still have his study of the holiness movement he did for his PhD. In 1976. Hat a fine example of Christian grace and scholarship. Thank you for the type of life you led
Dr. Dieter and his precious wife Hallie were true gems of the Wilmore community. Hallie was a Church secretary in Wilmore for years and to think they both entered heaven within 24 hours is a great joy. Dr. Dieter was a truly humble man who knew the reality of Christ and communicated Him through Christian scholarship. Hallie knew and communicated the joy of Jesus threw her down to earth, bubbly personality. They were wonderful couple who blessed all they met. Their addition to Heaven makes it one more shade desirable.
Dr. Dieter was one of my favorite professors in the late ’70s. Very gracious and genuine. I suspect their passing together was not a coincidence; they chose to leave this world together.
What a great mentor to me as a student! He shaped my way of theological thinking throughout my ministry. I have done my best to pass what he taught me on to the generation following me. I shall never forget his wise counsel and the love of Christ he showed me.