Obituaries

Richard Albert Christin Sr., aged 83, passed away peacefully during prayer in the afternoon of September 30, 2020. He is the only son of immigrant parents Marcel Christin (Swiss) and Hildegard Christin (nee Reischmann)(German).

He grew up in Parkchester in New York City.  He attended McBurney Prep school along with Ted Koppel who was a partner on his fencing team.  During his teenage years he suffered from asthma and he and his parents wintered in Florida, and summered in Whitefield New Hampshire.  While in Whitefield he  had his first job at Mountain View Grand Resort as a golf caddy.
Around age 16 he recieved his Amateur Radio License built his own radio and with his father slingshot a wire antenna over to the next apartment building to open up his world. His father passed on the Swiss tradition of learning how to shoot and the skills he learned earned him a reputation as a marksman in shooting clubs and later in the Navy.
At age 17 he joined the US Navy on the “Kiddie Cruise” and upon graduation from high school he was sent to Great Lakes for training in electronics.  Because of his amateur license he was able to forego basic training.  He was assigned to Gun Fire Control on the Destroyer DD850 Joseph P. Kennedy.  Sailed around the world even above the artic circle chasing Russian ships and subs.

After his navy service ended, he worked in the NY ship yards installing and servicing radars on ships.  Both he and his father would commute from Parkchester dropping his father off at Wall Street before heading for the shipyards.
In June of 1961 he married Muriel Joan Bosshardt and in 1963 had a son Richard A. Christin Jr.
A few years later he moved his family from Parkchester out to Smithtown Long Island where he began his career in the Aerospace industry working on the Apollo missions, and various missile programs.
With the collapse of the Aerospace industry in 1973 he moved his family down to Frederick Maryland.  Eventually working at the Washington/Moscow Hotline at Fort Detrick.
While at Fort Detrick he attended the base chapel and felt the call to the ministry.  While working full-time he attended Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, Mount St. Marys College, and a summer seession at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. After Seminary he recieved a three point charge in Bolivar, Millville, and Shenandoah United Methodist churches in West Virginia. As well as serving as a chaplian at the Wilson Healthcare Center at Asbury United Methodist Village in Gaithersburg Md.
After his time in the ministry, and his divorce, he worked as a Rail Engineer for WMATA in Washington DC.  for ten years frequently commuting with his son to work.  He became involved again in shooting competitions and attended the 1988 NRA national competition with his son. Before retirement he held a number of jobs with various rail engineering , and lab certification company A2LA.

In retirement he enjoyed his time with his partner Renate I Winter.  In 2010 he had a stroke which he took in stride not letting it deter him even when Renate passed just three months later.  Through rehab he was able to regain his ability to live unassisted. In 2011 he moved to Asbury Village and lived there till 2017.  Moving back to Frederick to live with his son.  He spent his last years enjoying Amateur radio, hamfest, cooking, traveling and spending time with his son and grandson Nikolai Christin.

Rev. Dr. John G. Gilmore Jr., MDiv ’52, aged 92 of Greenville, passed away at 9:35 p.m. Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, Illinois. John Gibson Gilmore Jr., the son, of John Gibson Gilmore Sr. and Rosetta May Rosie Gilmore, was born on December 21, 1927 in North Tonawanda, New York. John was raised there and graduated from Tonawanda High School in 1945. John attended Roberts Wesleyan College for two years, then graduated from Greenville College in 1949. He received his master of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1952. John and his wife pastored the Fredonia and then the Belfast Free Methodist Church in New York until 1955. They moved to Costa Rica to attend the Costa Rica Language School for one year. They moved to the Dominican Republic as missionaries until 1970. He served as pastor of South Flores Free Methodist Church for two years in San Antonio, Texas. John and family moved to Warsaw, Indiana in 1974 where he served at Area Administrative Assistant to Latin America, Director of VISA and Director of Personnel for Africa, Asia and Latin America until 1996. John was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Roberts Wesleyan University in 1984. Upon retirement the family moved to Greenville in 1997. John and Alene Bradshaw White were united in marriage on January 12, 1951 in Louisville, Kentucky and enjoyed over 59 years together before her death on November 2, 2010. They are the parents of five children who survive: Rebecca Crawford and husband Rev. Dr. Steven Crawford of Greenville, Rev. Philip Gilmore and wife Debra of Madrid, Spain, Joanna Gilmore of Greenville, Suzanna Shipley and husband Daniel of Black Diamond, Washington and Rev. J. Marcos Gilmore of Greenville. John is survived by 12 grandchildren: Megan, Tabitha, Christiana, Julianne, Bethany, Jessica, Kathryn, David, Isaac, Michael, Mark and Erin, 9 great grandchildren: Izu, Eliana, Matthew, Ezra, Kristin, Ezekiel, Rui, Mireya and Soren, his sister Esther Ruckle and husband Homer and brother-in-laws Court White, Hal Copley and sister-in-law Barbara Gilmore. John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Alene, sister Ruth Copley, sister Doris Chapman, and brother David Gilmore. John was a member of the Genesis Free Methodist Conference in western New York.

Rev. Doug “Chief” Herring, 88, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Graveside services and interment will be 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 18 at Whitehead Cemetery with Bro. Jerry Lundy, Bruce Hosket, and Rusty McKnight officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville.

Harold Marcus Hilliard, aged 91, of Webster Groves passed away September 14th at Laclede Groves Hospice. He was born December 29, 1928 in Wilmore, Kentucky. His father, Harold M Hilliard Sr, was a professor at Asbury Seminary, and his mother, Pearl Walker Hilliard, was a homemaker. Harold had an older sister Mildred and a younger brother Gerald.

With his father being a minister, Harold experienced frequent moves and exposures to different cultures, races, and environments. By his high school years, he had lived in 8 different parts of the country. Harold was sixteen, in the middle of his junior year in high school when the family moved to Puerto Rico where he took solid geometry in Spanish. The family decided he would finish high school in Odessa, Texas. There he lived alone in a garage apartment where he learned to be more self-sufficient. For college, Harold graduated from Texas Tech with BS and BA degrees in chemistry. His fondest memories always included good friends.

For most of the next 15 years, Harold alternated between working in industry and attending college. He received a Master of Science in Inorganic Chemistry from Stanford University and a Ph D in Analytic Chemistry from the University of Arizona. He worked for Phillips Petroleum, and Conoco. From 1972 – 1994 when he retired, Harold worked for the Tretolite division of Petrolite Corporation in various research, technical service, and technical liaison capacities, focusing on corrosion and environmental matters. He was active in several professional organizations, and traveled to production facilities in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

What gave Harold the greatest joy was meeting and marrying Carol Kingelin in 1970. They enjoyed 50 years of putting each other’s needs above their own. They were the perfect couple! They enjoyed wildlife and nature, and fed the many birds and animals in their bird and animal sanctuary on Hart Ave. They saw wonder around them and marveled at beauty. They were avid St Louis Cardinals fans and enjoyed attending the St Louis Symphony, the St Louis Speakers Series, as well as the many activities at Laclede Groves Retirement Center.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gerald. He is survived by his wife Carol, his sister Mildred Boyd, nieces Cindy Lochridge, Cherry Bedenkop, Cassie Weir, and Maurene Russell, as well as brother-in-law Rick ( Kay ) Kingelin, and sister-in-law Mary Kingelin. There was be a private burial at Grace Hill Cemetery, Perry, Oklahoma.

Harold will be remembered for his dry wit, his incredible intelligence and humble nature, his kindness to all, and his generous, giving spirit. He truly never met a stranger, and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Dorothy Jean Harrison Martyn, Friend of Asbury, was born on December 18, 1929 in Midland, Texas to H. L. “Hap” and Florence Parr Harrison. She grew up during the Great Depression and then at the onset of World War 2 helped care for her two younger siblings, Shirley and Harry, after their father enlisted in the Navy. She graduated from Midland High School in 1947 and attended Texas Tech University where she met her future husband, Robert Dewey Martyn. They were married on December 31, 1949 and maintained a loving home together for 57-years until he preceded her in death in 2007. They were blessed with three children, Dr. Stephen (Diane) Martyn; Leslie (Mike) Norrell; and Carrie (Jim) Spears; eight grandchildren Robyn (Sean) Scott, Dr. Robert (Megan) Stewart, Kyndra (Dr. Brian Smith) Martyn, Dr. Ryan (Michelle) Martyn, Lee (Jenny) Stewart, Sydney (Brent)  Bubis, Taylor (Lauren) Butler, Paige Butler, and 15 great grandchildren.

Dorothy was director of the Lubbock School in Quanah, Texas from 1973 to 1994. She was a life-long Methodist and a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, Quanah and the United Methodist Women. She was also a long-time member of the Quanah Music Club and the 1904 Study Club. After moving to College Grove, Tennessee in 2018 she attended Brentwood United Methodist Church and the Acts 2:42 Sunday School class.

Dorothy had a strong and steady demeanor, always caring for her neighbors, friends, pets, and her family. She loved her children and grandchildren in a beautiful and selfless way. Her eight grandchildren will always remember the summer and holiday visits to Quanah, and Mamma Dorothy and Daddy Bob taking them to swim and golf at the country club, learning to drive on the country roads, and daily walks down Airport Road. Dorothy and Bob were avid travelers and took joy in taking each of their grandchildren on epic trips.

She was a gracious host, loved gardening and photography, and instilled a great appreciation for music and the arts in her family’s lives. Her love of animals—especially her dogs—was legendary. Dorothy was a committed Christian and went home to be with her Lord and the great communion of the saints on October 10, 2020.  

Kenneth Dale Pierce, MDiv ’79, aged 69, of Dayton, TN, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, October 11, 2020. He was born in Galax, VA on March 9, 1951, the son of the late Cone and Ruby (Murray) Pierce. Pastor Ken was also preceded in death by his siblings, William “Billy” (Lois) Pierce and Peggy Pierce Lineberry of Galax, VA. Pastor Ken attended Hiwassee College, Radford University and received a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He served many churches over his lifetime, Amonate and Bandy UMC, Amonate, VA, Pearisburg UMC Circuit, Pearisburg, VA, Sardis UMC, Nancy, KY, Mountain City UMC Circuit, Mountain City, TN, Bread of Life, Ocala, FL, Hiltons UMC Circuit, Hiltons, VA, Clintwood/McClure UMC, Clintwood, VA, Holston View UMC, Weber City, VA, First UMC, Dayton, TN. Kenneth, Pastor Ken, was a devoted husband to Phyllis, a loving Dad to Angie, Aaron and Emily, a bonus father to Jonathan, Paige and Kristin and a sweet and playful Papaw to 11 grands! Around 20 years of age, he felt God’s call to ministry as his vocation in life. Forty-nine years, with a servant’s heart, he and his wife pastored churches throughout several states working in the communities with a genuine love of people, a seemingly endless supply of joy and laughter, faithfully preaching the love and grace of God. He traveled outside the US to several countries doing the same. Music was in his soul, and he sang and played the piano with his wife and family throughout the years spreading the Gospel to so many. He is loved and will be greatly missed. “Precious in the sight of Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15 He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Phyllis Jane (Fortner) Pierce; his children, Angela (Jonathan) Pierce Stumbo, Aaron (Kristin) Pierce and Emily (Paige) Pierce Hughes; grandchildren, Emmie, Wyatt, Levi, Sam, and Jesse Stumbo, Madison, Blake and Benjamin Pierce, Lucas, Molly and Addie Hughes, all of Dayton, TN; siblings, Janice (John) Pierce Jones and Donald Lineberry (brother-in-law) both of Galax, VA; and mother-in-law, Betty Jones Fortner, of Dayton, TN.

Rev. William S. Reasner, MDiv ’63, was born on July 16, 1936 in Camden, NJ and raised in nearby Collingswood, NJ, son of the late E. Luther and Ruth Brounley Reasner. Bill graduated from Collingswood High School in 1954 and headed to Indiana where he received his BA from Taylor University in 1960. He then went on to receive his Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY in 1963, and his Masters of Theology from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA in 1968. Bill began his ministry as a Student Pastor while still attending Taylor University, and then worked the rest of his career for the Southern New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. His appointments as Senior Pastor began at Fairview-Camden in 1963, then Centerton, Cape May Court House, and Pitman before becoming District Superintendent for the Central District from Moorestown in 1992. Bill served his remaining years as the Senior Pastor at Haddonfield Methodist Church from 1996 until his retirement in 2001.

Bill was heavily involved in World Missions and Evangelism, having led Preaching Mission trips in Liberia, Congo, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, England, Israel, Hungary, and India. Bill shared the work of the Church in Africa and India, and in numerous churches throughout the Conference and the US. He raised funds for projects such as the building of new churches, school buildings, the sinking of wells, providing bicycles for Pastors, and helping ship over 34 tons of over-the-counter drugs to the Congo for village clinics. He led a number of Tour groups to Israel, Jordan and Egypt and to the Oberammergau Passion Play. After retirement Bill sent his library, over 3000 volumes, to the Kafakumba Pastor’s School in Ndola, Zambia. The library at the Kafakumba Pastor’s School was subsequently named The William S. Reasner Library.

Locally, Bill had been a Rotarian and also Kiwanian. He served on the Middle Township School Board as well as the Cape May County School Board. He was on the Board of Evangelism of the UMC, and a member of the Board of Directors of the United Methodist Homes for 18 years. Bill was a Director of the Board of Global Ministries UMC for 2 quadrenniums. Bill was President of Malaga Camp for 8 years and Adjunct Professor for many years at the Kafakumba Pastors School in Congo and Zambia.

Bill had his homecoming on October 23, 2020 and is survived by his wife of 61 years, Judie Reasner; daughter Georgia Reasner Terlaje and son-in-law Richard Terlaje; son George Reasner; brother Rev. Robert Reasner; sister Marion Cox; and brother Jerry J. Cowley, Sr.

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