Obituaries
Sylvia Tucker Burke, Master of Religious Education 1956, age 89, of Lubbock, TX passed away on January 18, 2019. She was born on February 5, 1929 in Cooperative, Kentucky. Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents: Denton and Melvina Tucker; sisters: Flona Doss, Edwina Goldsmith, and Reva Tucker; brothers: Randall and Denny Tucker; and daughter, Cheryl Howard. Sylvia is survived by her husband, Gerald Burke; daughter, Miriam Shanks; brothers: Darold and Gayle Tucker; granddaughter, Kamie Hopper; grandsons: Neil and Alex Whatley; and several nieces and nephews. Sylvia obtained a B.A. degree from Taylor University in Upland, India na. After teaching school for a while, she later attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky where she received a Master’s degree in Religious Education. While at seminary, she met Gerald Burke whom she later married. Afterward, she taught school for several more years and later became a full-time homemaker. She and Gerald had two daughters. Sylvia’s greatest desire was to serve the Lord. Toward that end, she taught various Sunday school classes, and she also served as a licensed local evangelist of the Free Methodist Church. Sylvia never ceased to pray and she has been a source of encouragement to many.
James “Jim” Casto, BDiv 1964, age 85, of Whiting Station, NJ and formerly of Mansfield, PA, went home to be with Jesus on February 7, 2019. Jim was born May 18, 1933 in Atlantic City, NJ to James and Margaret (Havran) Casto. He was a veteran of the US Air Force, Korean Conflict. An ordained minister, Jim earned a Bachelor of Psychology from Houghton College (NY) and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary (KY). He served in the Salvation Army in Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX. Jim’s later career as a merchant marine radio officer took him and his folding bicycle to five continents and countless countries. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Jeanne (Snyder) Casto, brother John (Virginia) Casto, of Lancaster, PA, sons Steven Casto of Thompsons Station, TN and David (Debra) Casto of Wolfeboro, NH; daughters Deborah (Douglas) Adkins of Sidney, OH and Sarah (Alan) McCarty of Jackson, NJ; seven grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and a lifetime of corny jokes. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Alfred Casto. Jim will be interred in Bath National Cemetery, Bath, NY. In tough times he would jest that his favorite scripture was, “And it came to pass.” And so it has, and will. Thank you Jim/Dad/Grandpa for adding *spark* to our lives. We love you and will catch up with you soon!
Michael ” Mike ” James Flynn, MDiv 1971, age 74, of Benbrook, Texas, entered fully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 28, 2019, surrounded by his loving wife, and friend. Funeral: 4:00 p.m., Monday, February 4, 2019, at Winscott Road Funeral Home, 1001 Winscott Road, Benbrook, Texas 76126. Open visitation: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday, prior to the service. Burial will be later in Casper, Wyoming. Mike was born April 10, 1944, in Bay City, Michigan to George L. Flynn and Helen Jean Moyer Flynn. He earned a Bachelor’s De gree in Math from the University of Texas, and a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. Mike devoted his life to the ministry and was a retired hospice chaplain. He also taught as a math teacher helping students earn their GED in Garland, Texas. Mike lived and breathed sports. His favorite teams were the Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, and the Dallas Cowboys. Survivors: Loving wife, Carolyn Flynn; children, Michael Paul Flynn, and Rachel Reinhardt; stepchildren, Carl M. Leiss, and Charles M. Leiss III; six grandchildren, his sister, Nancy Bamberger; and his brother, Tom Flynn.
Paige Elizabeth Gustin, age 45 of Searcy, died Wednesday, February 27 in Searcy. She was born December 28, 1973 in Little Rock to Billy Ray Shields and Donna Jean Barnett Shields. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, currently attending Asbury Theological Seminary, a Hendrix University alumnus, and a Masonic Lodge Rainbow Girl. She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Shawn Gustin; two sons, Morgen Tayler Gustin and Brennan Wade Gustin, all of Searcy; parents, Bill and Donna Shields of Mayflower; parents-in-law, Randy and Amy Gustin of Searcy; and a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, two nieces and one sister-in-law. She was a loving mother and friend to all.
Linda Grace Harrison, MDiv 2011, born April 29, 1961, died unexpectedly at home on November 25, 2018 due to chronic medical conditions. Linda was a public school teacher, music teacher, keyboardist, and Methodist Pastor at several different churches in the southwestern Pennsylvania area. She was a graduate of Taylor-Alderdice High School and attended her 40th reunion recently; and of the University of Pittsburgh, in the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She is predeceased by her parents Dick (Richard) and Louise Harrison. She is survived by her uncle George Harrison; cousins Bill, Robert, and Susan Harrison and Vikki Harrison Stefans as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Pastor John “Jeff” Fritz McLallen, MDiv 1973, 74, of South Edmeston went home to be with the Lord on Monday October 1, 2018 at his home. Jeff was born on June 19, 1944, in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of the late Clarence and Ruth Schoonover McLallen. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by brothers Keith and Roger McLallen, and a granddaughter Elise McLallen. He is survived by his wife Carol McLallen of South Edmeston, his sons Peter (Nicola) McLallen and their children Nathan, John, and Lia; Aaron (Mariela) McLallen and their son Julian; Timothy (Katrina) McLallen and their son Liam; and Andrew McLallen. He is also survived by a brother Scott (Doris) McLallen, and several nieces and nephews. Jeff was a graduate of East High School in Rochester, NY, Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, NY, and Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. For the past 23 years he served as the pastor of the South Edmeston Community Church. He previously served as pastor of the Free Methodist Church in Salamanca, NY and Dansville, NY. Over the years he worked for the Delco Company in Rochester, Houseneck Towing Service in Batavia, NY, UPS in KY, and Ladonis Appliances in Berwick, PA. Jeff loved serving the community, which included being a board member for the Jail Ministry of Otsego County. He enjoyed providing Bible study opportunities at the Otsego County jail and the Chase Nursing Home, While living in Berwick, PA he served on the board of Youth for Christ and enjoyed delivering the Press Enterprise newspaper.
Linda Ann Parker, Master of Religious Education 1978, passed away Sunday February 10, 2019. Linda was born January 23, 1948. Lin made friends wherever she went, from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Religious Education, to Bogota, Columbia on the Mission Field. She loved literature and had great compassion for animals. Her quirky sense of humor will be dearly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her younger sister and brother in law, Katie and Gary Wayne, her 99 year old mother, Elizabeth Kanoy Parker, beloved double first cousins, Sandra Adams and Bill Parker of North Carolina and a cousin Robin Rouveyrol of Eustis, FL. Her four nephews and one niece, Gary Jr, Cody, Aaron, Ryder, and Maya, upon whom she doted.
Reverend Lyle E. Williams, BDiv 1955, entered his heavenly home from Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester, Indiana he passed away at 6:20 a.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2019. He was born on August 30, 1927 in a farmhouse near Page Nebraska to R. Davis Williams and Eva Etta (Trowbridge) Williams. He married Shirley Bosell on September 2, 1951 in the First Baptist Church in Salem, Oregon by the Rev. LLoyd Anderson. Lyle was a World War II Navy Veteran, having served aboard the USS Harwood and honorably discharged in 1946. He was a graduate of Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington and Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore Kentucky. He was an ordained minister in the Free Methodist Church of North America. The family moved from Oregon to Winona Lake, Indiana in 1960. Lyle served as Editor of Sunday School Curriculum for adults at the Free Methodist Publishing House for 31 years. He also taught Sunday school and served in youth programs at the Winona Lake Free Methodist Church. He loved all sports having participated in track and basketball. His children all swam at the YMCA and Warsaw High School teams. They knew Dad would be there cheering them on as well as working with the other parents at the meets. Lyle will be dearly missed by all. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Shirley A. Williams (North Manchester, Indiana); son: Dale Williams (Punta Gorda, Florida); two daughters: Karen (David) Overmyer (Winona Lake, Indiana); and Diane (Rick) Dobbins (Santa Clara, California). Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Jessi Williams (Tacom a, Washington); Jami Williams (Oakland, California); Kristin (Adam) Harp, (Warsaw, Indiana); Kyle (Dianna) Overmyer (Carmel, Indiana); Kelly (Isaac) Harp (Winona Lake, Indiana); Laura Ann (Joe) Cobb (Camp Pendleton, California); Eric (Nicole) Dobbins (Fort Worth, Texas); eight great-grandchildren; sister, Velna Stewart (Oregon); sister-in-law, Altha Lou Bosell (Washington); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law, Roland Stewart and David Bosell. Private burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Indiana.
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