Obituaries
Dr. Leslie Alice Andrews, aged 76, passed away due to COVID-19 complications on January 13, 2021. Dr. Andrews contributed significantly to the mission of Asbury Theological Seminary over the course of three decades, and the Seminary extends its gratitude for her service and condolences to her family and friends. “We are deeply grieved at the passing of Leslie Andrews, but we celebrate her gain of heaven,” Dr. Timothy C. Tennent, President of Asbury Seminary, said. “I had the privilege of knowing Leslie in my early years as president and she was invaluable to me and the Seminary as we worked alongside each other to grow the Seminary’s global reach and effectively educate students to serve in the Kingdom of God.” Dr. Andrews served in multiple roles, including Dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Dean of Academic Development, Vice President for Academic Development and Distributed Learning, Vice Provost, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. She also served as Professor of Pastoral Leadership. Her unique gifts were indispensable in leading the academic area through times of transition and change, being instrumental in the development and deployment of online learning. Additionally, Dr. Andrews was passionate about the development of faculty and meticulous in her leading the Seminary through assessment and accreditation. Beyond her significant contributions to the Seminary, Dr. Andrews cared deeply for the Christian and Missionary Alliance, missionary families, her lifelong friendships with colleagues, and her mother and siblings.
Here is the official press release by Asbury.
Rev. Stan A. Beatty, aged 75, of Kansas City, Missouri died of Multiple Myeloma on January 15, 2021. He was born December 10, 1946 in Lewistown, Pennsylvania to the union of the late Renard R. Beatty Sr. and Jeanne Moad Beatty.
His survivors include wife Linda Shaw Beatty of Kansas City, children: Micah James Beatty, Emporia, Kansas, Hannah Elizabeth Beatty, Grandview, Missouri, Megan Gabriel Smith, Kansas City, Missouri, Lauren Gabriel Casa, Independence, Missouri. Survivors also include five grandchildren and three siblings, Stephen Beatty, Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Lori Beatty Williams, Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and Renard Franklin Beatty Jr., Hershey, Pennsylvania. Rev. Beatty was a graduate of Chief Logan High School, class of 1964, Evangel University, class of 1968, Asbury Theological Seminary, class of 1976. Early in Rev. Beatty’s life he was a social worker in the inner city of Chicago, he was a public school teacher in Crawford County, Missouri. He served his country in Vietnam as an Army medic during the Vietnam War.
Ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church he served churches in Kentucky, Missouri, and Florida for thirty-eight years. Preaching of the Good News “burned in his belly” for many years. He was a member of Veterans For Peace and attended Jacob’s Well Church, in Kansas City, where he served as an elder. He was a bibliophile who enjoyed reading history, memoirs, theology and books on spiritual practices. Travel and travel photography were a major interest.
Pastor J. Ross Daeschner, aged 82, went to be with the Lord on New Year’s Day 2021 after a long illness.
Born in 1939 near Conway, Kansas, ‘just-plain J.’ grew up the youngest of three children at a time when farming families had ice boxes for refrigerators, country kids still went to one-room schoolhouses, and the good guys always wore white hats in cowboy movies. J.’s abiding loves were God, his family and his congregations, though he didn’t come to them in that order. Shortly before being deployed stateside during the Vietnam War, he met a local girl, Fredene Lindbeck and married her in 1962. He and Fredene spent the next six decades side-by-side in a marriage that saw the birth of a daughter and son, plus various adoptive roles, at least four dramatic changes of career and more adventure than either of them ever expected. Having grown-up in the heyday of Hollywood westerns, J. long aspired to be a cowboy rather than a farmer, so with his wife’s encouragement, the young family moved to manage a ranch in Colorado, where he taught himself how to lasso steers, fend off rattlesnakes, and save newborn calves from subzero winters (more than once using the family stove to keep them from freezing to death). A fluke accident nearly killed him in 1975, ending the career he loved but—with Fredene’s help—finally beginning his life in Christ.Broken but willing to work hard, he and Fredene moved back home to Kansas where they relied on her farmhouse cooking to make a living running a restaurant. More than a few of their childhood friends were shocked by J.’s transformation from a drinking-and-cussing lost cause to a born-again short-order cook who played Bible tapes on the sound system. “I had to come see it for myself,” one old drinking buddy declared. “Daeschner’s found God!”
J. and Fredene became increasingly active in Christian outreach, and a failed business venture eventually crystallized the conviction that had been growing in him for some time—he was being called to the ministry. In 1984, at the age of 45, he enrolled as a long-in-the-tooth student at Asbury Seminary in Kentucky, with he and his wife working various jobs to support their family. J.’s favorite times in seminary were the weekends when he got to put theory into practice as a student pastor in the neighboring South Indiana conference of the United Methodist Church. After graduating, he spent the next quarter century serving rural churches throughout the region, with a later stint as a retired pastor at a United Methodist church in Connecticut. J. is survived by Fredene and their children: Julie (and Jeff) Buck of Greenwood, Indiana; Jeff (and Aline) Daeschner of Guilford, Connecticut; Ngoc (and Chi) Van Nguyen of Atlanta, Georgia; and Kim (and Darrell) Hawkins of Lexington, Kentucky; as well as a whole passel of grandchildren, (Desiree, Sarah, Derek, Anna, Brandon, Elizabeth, Michael, Daniel, Amanda, Dominique, Nina, Tabitha and Catherine), great-grandchildren (Abigail, Joshua, Asher, and Joanna), nephews and nieces—not to mention Bubba, their Boston Terrier.
He will be remembered for the way he cared for his family, his kindness, his cowboy boots, his corny opening jokes (“Here’s something that really has nothing to do with anything”), and most of all, his love for the Lord.Whenever asked to preach to a new congregation, he would challenge them with the moment in the Gospels where Jesus asks His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” J. was devoted to helping people find the answer to that question, and his heart’s desire would be for anyone reading this to earnestly seek The Way, The Truth and The Life, too.
Duane A. Denton, aged 72, of Haven, died January 8, 2021, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born July 11, 1948, in Joplin, Missouri, to Jesse and Thelma (Darnell) Denton. Duane graduated from Circle High School, followed by a nursing degree from the St. Francis School of Nursing, a master’s degree in music from Friends University, and Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He worked as a registered nurse, a pastor, and a musician. Duane was passionate about music, including guitar and singing. He belonged to the Singing Quakers. Duane also enjoyed fishing, golf, and motorcycles. He pastored Bible Pathways Fellowship, in Yoder. On May 29, 1969, Duane married Vicki Davis. Together they had two daughters. They later divorced. On February 12, 2011, he married Peggy Ryan on “the farm”, in Haven. Duane is survived by: wife, Peggy Denton, Haven; daughters, Shannon Dunn (Matt), Hutchinson, Stacy Case (Jeff), Haven; grandchildren, Dane Gardner, Nate Gardner, Raegan Case, and Kylee Dunn; and a loving step-family in Iowa and Wisconsin, Clarence and Pauline Hansel, Nathan Mormann (Kelly), Nicole Backes (Joe), Danielle Ryan (Kevin), Shelby Backes (Tim); and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by: his parents; sister, Lois Ann Cromley; and brother-in-law, Charles Cromley.
Donna J Goff, aged 71, of Mobile, Alabama passed away on Monday, January 4, 2021. Donna was born November 8, 1949 and grew up in Leaf, Mississippi. She studied at Asbury Theological Seminary, Asbury University, and MS Consulting at The University of South Alabama. After graduation, her life of Christian service took her to World Gospel Missions where she taught in Africa at Kenya Highlands Bible College for 10 years. Donna retired McEachern Memorial United Methodist Church of the North Georgia Conference. Donna loved Jesus, her family and Alabama Football. Donna is survived by her brothers; Bobby Goff and Rickey Goff. Her sisters; Brenda Stutz, Gloria (Charles) Krause and Betty (Lawrence) Andrews, brother in law Tommy Krause. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Rev. Everett Hind, aged 85, Inman, Kan., formerly of Holland, died Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 at the Pleasant View Home in Inman. Everett Roy Hind was born to Willis and Alice (Davis) Hind on May 10, 1935 in Northwest Iowa, and grew up in Northwest Iowa and Southwest Minnesota, where he attended school, graduating in 1954. On June 18, 1954 he married Verna Hobbie at Slayton Presbyterian Church in Slayton. Following their marriage they resided in Egan, S.D. A short time later they moved to Wilmore, Kent. where he attended Asbury Theological Seminary for one year, then transferred to Wessington Springs College and Seminary in Wessington Springs, S.D. He also took courses from Fuller Theological Seminary. After he completed his education, he began pastoring churches in the area before moving to Huron, S.D. to Pastor the Free Methodist Church and then to the Free Methodist Church in Bemidji. Then in 1975 they moved to Peever, S.D. to work with Lowell Lundstrom ministries. Two years later, they moved to Holland where he began Family Fulfillment Ministries, then later to Edgerton where he became the Chaplain of the Edgebrook Care Center. In 2012 they moved to McPherson, Kan. before moving to Inman. He attended the Free Methodist Church in McPherson. He was a member of Kiwanis in Pipestone and served as the Police Chaplain in Bemidji. He is survived by his wife, Verna Hind, Inman; three children, Debbie (Robert) Bailey, McPherson, Jeff (Katherine) Hind, Sioux Falls, S.D. and Carmon (Don) Penner, Inman; son-in-law, Greg (Nancy) Vanasse, Delano; 17 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Beven Vanasse; his parents, Willis and Alice Hind and one brother, Ronald Hind.
Pastor Gary Holdeman, aged 70, died Friday, January 15, 2021 in Oklahoma City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 21, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Woodward. Gary Eugene Holdeman was born on December 30, 1950 in Wellington, Kansas to Roy Eugene and Wanda Bernice (Dunn) Holdeman. Gary grew up in Enid, Oklahoma and graduated from Enid High School in 1969. He was united in marriage to Joyce Burge on August 22, 1970 in McPherson, Kansas and they were blessed with two children: Brian Gary and Angela Marie. They made their first home in McPherson before living in several different towns because of his ministry including: Kansas City, Kansas, Enid, Laverne, Guymon, and Woodward. Gary and Joyce were currently living in Laverne. He loved northwest Oklahoma. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern Nazarene University in 1975 and his Masters of Divinity in 1980 from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Gary served numerous United Methodist churches throughout Kansas and Oklahoma and was currently serving as the Minister for the Fairview United Methodist Church in Slapout and Catesby. Gary loved people and he always got involved in the community he lived in.
He was a Captain with the United States Army Reserve and served as Chaplain from 1981 until 1987. He received his training from the United States Army Chaplain Center and School in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He served as Police Chaplain and Fire Chaplain in Tulsa, Kansas City, Laverne, Woodward, and Guymon. He served as the Northwest Regional Chaplain for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and was named an Honorary Chaplain for the Oklahoma State Troopers Association in 1997. Gary was the Chaplain for Critical Incident Workshops, Inc. ( a federally funded program to help victims families, law enforcement, fire and ambulance workers, and victims of the Oklahoma City Bombing recover from the trauma of the bombing). He served in that same capacity in September, October, and November of 2001 after the September 11, 2001 attacks on our country. Gary was the Enid District Superintendent, Oklahoma Conference for the United Methodist Church from 2006 until 2011. He was a Clergy Mentor of local pastors, a member of the Oklahoma Conference Rural Church Task Force, and served as a coach for Post Graduate Program of the Oklahoma Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. Gary loved spending time with his family and being a PaPa to his grandchildren who he loved dearly. He also enjoyed buying gifts for others, rock collecting and his guns.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joyce Holdeman of the home; one son Brian Holdeman and wife Alison of Olathe, Kansas; one daughter, Angela Cronister and husband David of Mooreland; his father, Gene Holdemn of Laverne; eight grandchildren: Ashley Wildin, Gannon Holdeman, Grant Holdeman, Amy Cronister, David Cronister, Jr., Olivia Norris, Jacob Norris, and Ethan Cronister; two great-grandchildren: Addielyn Wildin and Alina Wildin; one brother Mark Holdeman and wife Lindsay of Frisco, Texas; two sisters: Kathryn Webb and husband CL of Kansas City, Kansas, Mary Ingram and husband Everett of Enid; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Wanda Holdeman, granddaughters, Sarah Cronister and Andrea Hollister, brother, Paul Holdeman, sister, Virginia Lee Thomas, grandparents, Nellie and Roy Holdeman and Sally and Claude Dunn.
William E. Jasko, aged 73, of Woodcliff Lake, NJ/ South Thomaston, ME passed away on December 30, 2020. Bill was born in Newark, New Jersey on August 26, 1947 to William and Lillian Jasko (nee Fuchs). He married Jenny Lynn Jasko (nee Kelley) on August 16, 1969. He is survived by his wife Jenny, and his children: William (Jenny), Daniel (Beth), Melissa Timoshchik (Vlad), Stephen (Alison), Bethany Martin (Aldo), and Thomas. He was predeceased by his son David in 2019. Bill also leaves behind 9 grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Donald and Kenneth. Bill attended Nyack College and Asbury Theological Seminary. He was a pastor with the Assemblies of God for many years and enjoyed supporting missionaries around the world. Bill was a chaplain in the Army Reserves and with Catholic Charities of New York for many years. Bill also worked as a financial consultant from 1990-2001. Bill loved God and family. He enjoyed travel, nature, and conversation. His travels included China, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Europe, North, Central and South America, Israel, and Scandinavia. Some of his favorite memories were traveling with his children around the United States visiting National Parks and then to Alaska. He was proud to have been blessed with 7 children. He loved dogs and was rarely seen without his animal companions in tow.
Rev. Laura Kapka-Borchert, aged 81, Valley City, ND passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020 in Sheyenne Care Center, Valley City. Laura Belle Peterson was born October 17, 1939 to Albert and Valley Belle (Saufley) Peterson near LaMoure, ND. She attended Gladstone #1 country school through the eighth grade and graduated from College High in Valley City. Laura received her degree in education from Valley City State University teaching at various points and places throughout her lifetime. Laura was always helping others and putting people ahead of herself. This calling led her to join the Peace Corps for two years. While in the Peace Corps she had the opportunity to serve the people of Peru assisting with implementing and developing safe sanitation systems. Upon Laura’s return to the United States, she attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. She then ministered in Grand Island, KY for ten years. Her next journey in life led her to Grand Prairie, TX where she was an office manager. In 2000, Laura’s sister, Helen, became ill and Laura moved home to care for her until her passing. Laura loved to tell the story that while on her way back to North Dakota, the place she always considered her home, she had a strong feeling that someone besides her sister was waiting for her and she was right. Upon her return to North Dakota and being the volunteer she was, Laura assisted in the planning of the all school reunion. She noticed a friend, Duane, from high school had not RSVP’d and so she called him. This led to a rekindled friendship and love. Laura was united in marriage to Duane Borchert May 19th, 2004. They made their home together on the home farm. Duane’s brother, Allen, also lived on the farm with them. When Allen became ill and had to move to Sheyenne Care Center Laura never missed a day visiting him. Laura and Duane enjoyed traveling together and making memories while visiting family and friends. They moved from the farm to Bridgeview Estates in 2018. Laura spent her time volunteering at the library, senior center, delivering meals and was a part of Faith in Action. She had a fiery spirit and jumped right in which made her so special. Laura is survived by her husband; brothers, Jerome (Anita) Peterson, Albert (Sharon) Peterson Jr. and Victor Peterson. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Laura is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Curtiss Peterson, Eugene Peterson and Carl Peterson and sister, Helen McCleary.
C. Jeannine (Speakman) Mowery, Friend of Asbury, aged 91, of Chillicothe, died Monday afternoon at Traditions of Chillicothe. She was born June 7, 1929, in Chillicothe, to the late Forrest C. and Mirlia Beatrice (Hupp) Speakman. In 1969, she married Rev. Harold W. Mowery, who preceded her in death February 20, 1995. She is survived by her sister, her step-children, and several nieces and nephews.
Richard Slack, aged 88, died on Friday, January 15, 2021. Born November 6, 1932, in Freeport, the son of George and Lillian (Looney) Slack. Veteran of the U.S. Army stationed in Korea right after the Korean War. Richard married Lillian Brodene on December 19, 1970 in Chicago, IL. He received his Bachelors from Olivet University and his Master’s Degree in Religious Education from Asbury Seminary in 1957. Richard worked for the State of Illinois Department of Employment where he worked with Veterans and released prisoners. He was also a former teacher and attended Broadway Covenant Church where he enjoyed studying and teaching the Bible. Richard enjoyed working on his “poor man’s Porsche,” his Karmann Ghia and was soft spoken, kind, patient, and humble, loving God and his family. He loved good food and traveling extensively with Lillian throughout the US, Europe and the Holy Land after retirement. Survived by his wife, Lillian; daughter, Sarah (Jeff) Kloweit; sister, Anita (David) Sherrer of Bollingbrook, IL; granddaughter, Darby Kloweit; and brother-in-law, Carl Brodene. Predeceased by his parents; and sister, Lorraine Lytle.
Rev. Jay M. Smith, aged 86, of Fremont entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at ProMedica Fostoria Hospital. He was born on June 28, 1934 in York Co, PA to John J. Smith and Isabel (Smith) Smith. Jay graduated from York High School and went on to further his education at Nyack College, Nyack, NY where he graduated with a bachelors degree in ministerial studies. It was there he met the love of his life Helen Knauth and they were married on November 17, 1956 in Willow Grove, PA. He worked for Nation Wide Insurance Co. after graduating from college and eventually went on to Asbury Theological Seminary, Asbury, KY to receive his masters degree. Jay was ordained by the Eastern PA district of the Christian Missionary Alliance denomination. He served as pastor in churches in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Swanton, OH. After serving 50 years with the Christian Missionary Alliance, he was recognized with honors by the national office. He eventually became credentialed as a chaplain and moved to the Geisinger Medical Complex, Danville, PA, where he worked for 23 years managing the House of Care for oncology patients and serving as a chaplain for several nursing homes in the Danville area. He retired at age 75 and moved with his wife back to Swanton, OH to be close to their two daughters and their families. Family was very important to him and he loved and was proud of all his grandchildren. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Helen; two brothers, J. Mark (Phyllis) Smith, Paul M. (Sue) Smith; and sister, Mary Forry all of York, PA; sons-inlaw, Terry Barringer of Napoleon, OH and Jeff Miller of Fremont, OH; grandchildren, Rachel Miller of Fremont, OH, Andrew (Tiffany) Miller of Helena, OH, Alex Barringer of Grand Rapids, MI, Greg (Megan) Barringer, Delta, OH, Isaac ( Alexandra) Barringer of Waterville, OH, and Jackie Barringer of Canal Winchester, OH; great-grandsons, Theodore and Oliver Miller, Jensen Barringer; and two great-granddaughters, Kinzlee Barringer and Evelyn Barringer. Rev. Smith was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Daphyn Savoia; and his two daughters, Carol (Smith) Barringer and Darla (Smith) Miller
Harry Richard Stevenson, aged 88, of Wilmore, Ky, died January 13, 2021, at Wesley Village in Wilmore, Ky. Rev. Stevenson was born June 3, 1932, in Woodbury, New Jersey, to Harry and Florence Stevenson. He attended Swedesboro High School, Pierce School of Business, Asbury University, Asbury Theological Seminary, and graduated from Eastern Baptist Seminary with a Master of Divinity. After seminary, he pastored South Jersey United Methodist Churches in Gloucester City, Pennsville, and Turnersville. Harry held many positions in the Southern New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church and also served on the Board of Trustees at Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky.
Rev. Stevenson is survived by his wife of 66 years, Anna D. Stevenson. Their children are Cindy and Mark Bules, Laura and David Hunter, and Richard and Tania Stevenson. Harry and Anna have 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Rev. Stevenson once said that his greatest honor in ministry was being able to take someone’s hand and place it in the hand of Jesus. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people who love Jesus Christ more because of Rev. Stevenson’s faithfulness in ministry.
Rev. George Allan Thayer, aged 90, went to be with our Lord and Savior, on Wednesday (Dec. 30, 2020) due to COVID-related complications. He was born in Kendall, on Aug. 10, 1930, to Rev. Thurber Thayer and Grace Barringer Thayer, and the eldest to sisters, Virginia Harter, deceased, and Ruth Marzolf of Florida. He was amongst the eleventh generation of Thayer’s in America, having resided at the family farm in Akron, and proud to have joined Thayer reunions at West Point. George was a graduate of Perry High School in 1947, and attended Alfred University, Roberts Wesleyan College and Asbury Seminary. As the Reverend George Thayer, he served Christ in both Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania Methodist churches, following in his father’s footsteps. He was an active member of Solomon’s Porch of Little Valley, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ellicottville, where he enjoyed singing his favorite hymns and praising the Lord! He served honorably as a U.S. marine, during the Korean War from 1951-1953, and shared his love and experiences for both Christ and country with all he met. George was a ham radio enthusiast and was known as the “Peanut Whistle Preacher.” He also worked at WNYS/WGGO radio in Salamanca, where he built their first broadcast tower. His radio career included WBVB, WCTL and CBN. In his retirement, he blended his passions to create his own website, “Christian TV Services,” to continue his ministry. His favorite pastime was cheering on the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres. George married Alfreda Gates Roulo in 1957, and has five children, Robert Thayer of Rochester, Rebecca Perrault of Penn Yan, Rachel Thayer-Workman of Rolesville, N.C., Roger Thayer of Syracuse and Randall Thayer, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren, who remember him for his story-telling, handshakes and puns. He was remarried in 1974 to Joyce Underwood Thayer, who predeceased him in 2011; and was step-father to her four children, and with whom he shared an infant soul, John Mark.
Lawrence Richard (Dick) Thompson, aged 86, passed away on December 29, 2020 in Winfield, Illinois. He died from illness brought on by Covid-19. Born in 1934 in Pulaski County, Indiana, Lawrence held degrees from Depauw University and Wheaton College, with further studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and the American Institute in Jerusalem. He lived with his late wife Ruby Kay nee Devore as missionaries in the Philippines, from 1962-1976. Upon their return to the U.S., Lawrence worked for AT&T and Lucent Technologies for more than 20 years as an engineer. In his retirement he was a tireless advocate for immigrants building new lives in the U.S. and was an active member of St Andrew United Methodist Church in Carol Stream, Ill. His wife passed away in 2008. He is survived by his son David, and two grandsons, Ezra and Jake, his sister Patricia( the late Wayne) Kendall and nieces and extended family.
So sorry to read of the passing of Leslie Andrews. Our years together serving in various capacities at Asbury were filled with a special comradery and sense of deep respect and privilege. Above all, she was my friend. I find myself singing, “For all the saints, who from their labors rest, who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia, Alleluia.”
Pray the Lord will grant the families of these men the fortitude to bear the losses of these heroes of the faith