Obituaries
Bill gave his life to Jesus at the age of 14 under the loving witness of the congregation from his home church, Pisgah United Methodist Church in Tazewell, VA. In 1992, God set him on a new path when he married the love of his life, Angela Duncan of Knoxville, TN.
In 1999, Bill was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He faced his diagnosis with faith and joy and took as his guiding verse Philippians 1: 21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He lived 21 full and joyous years past his diagnosis, and when the cancer returned in 2019, Bill continued to trust in this truth right up until the end.
He served faithfully and joyfully as a pastor in the United Methodist Church for 27 years. Bill was known for his abounding energy, his kindness and his joy. He loved singing, traveling, and playing basketball and golf.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Angela Akers of Hixson, TN; by his parents, Willard Akers Jr. and Linda Jean Tullock Akers of Tazewell, VA; his brothers, Rufus Akers and Timothy Akers of Tazewell, VA, and Robert Akers of Bluefield, VA; and his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles in Virginia and Tennessee.
Dan Bickel was born April 17, 1951, in Hartford City, Ind., to Jack and Ruth Bickel. His five siblings and spouses are Marta (Greg Johnson), Dave (Barb), Jon (Kelly), Ron (Karen) and Laurie (Rob McHenry).
Dan grew up in Muncie, Ind. He graduated from Marion College (Indiana Wesleyan University) in 1973, and Asbury Seminary in 1976. Dan married Reenie Hoover on July 8, 1972. They were married for 49 wonderful years.
Dan and Reenie have two sons and six grandchildren, Brent Daniel Bickel of Waunakee, Wis., married to Laura Weaver (children are Jackson, Hannah and Tanner); and Brice Daniel Bickel of Clemson, S.C., married to Brittany Wilson (children are Sylar, Camden, and Rowen).
Dan served as youth pastor and worship director at Brookhaven Wesleyan Church, Marion, Ind., and as pastor at Etna Avenue Wesleyan Church, Huntington, Ind., Rapid City First Wesleyan, Rapid City, S.D., and Eau Claire Wesleyan, Eau Claire, Wis. In 2001 he became District Superintendent of the Wisconsin District, overseeing the Wesleyan churches in the state of Wisconsin. In 2019, Wisconsin merged with other districts and he became Director of Soul Care for the Great Lakes Region (Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin).
He was a faithful, loving husband to Reenie and a hero to Brent and Brice. His daughters-in-law loved and cherished him.
Dan was preceded in death by his grandparents, father, his mother-in-law and a sister-in-law.
Rev. Rita K. Brown, M.Div’91, aged 71, of Quinlan, Texas, entered her Heavenly home on Saturday, May 29, 2021. She was born on April 8, 1950, in Columbus, Ohio, to Charles & Pauline (Weaver) Smurr. Rita was born and raised in the Pickerington/Baltimore, Ohio area, and was the fourth of ten children. She always cherished being a part of a large family and her childhood memories. She graduated in 1968 as Salutatorian of Liberty Union High School in Baltimore, Ohio. Rita went on to graduate from the Ohio State Beauty Academy and worked at Nina’s Beauty Shop in Lancaster. While very active in her church she felt a call to ministry, where she would be serving and blessing others for years to come.
Rita attended local pastor school and received her first appointment at Brownsville United Methodist Church. While earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Recreational Studies from Ohio University in 1988, she served Saltillo United Methodist Church and Crooksville United Methodist Church. Starting seminary at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, she was appointed to Russellville United Methodist Church in Brown County, Ohio. In 1991, she received her Masters of Divinity and was appointed to Oakwood United Methodist Church in Brown Township in Paulding County, Ohio, where God had even bigger plans for her.
In September of 1991, shortly after her move to Oakwood and much to her surprise, she met Leo Brown, whom she married in December that same year and became an instant mom to his three children. Rita and Leo were able to serve churches together, with her in the pulpit and him at the organ and piano throughout their marriage.
In 1992, she was ordained as an Elder in Full Connection with the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Following her ministry in Oakwood, Rita served at Allentown United Methodist Church of Elida, Ohio, Lebanon United Methodist Church of Lebanon, Ohio, and then retired after serving 13 years at Mills Memorial United Methodist Church of Lancaster, Ohio in 2019. She was also very involved in the West Ohio United Methodist Camp Program for several years, with her love for camping and the outdoors.
Rita was an accomplished seamstress, making lots of clothes for family over the years, including her own wedding dress. She was the ultimate pie baker, especially her raspberry and grape pies (which will be missed!). Most of all, Rita enjoyed time spent with her family and friends. Since childhood, Rita’s favorite place to be was Stoutsville Camp Meeting, with family and friends, which also provided her another opportunity to minister to others. Rita was a devoted mom and adored her children, Pete, Sara, and Kris, and embraced them as if they were her own by loving them unconditionally and providing countless opportunities for them to learn and grow.
Following retirement, Rita and Leo moved to Texas to be near their grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. She loved spending time with them and their overnight visits. She enjoyed the lake view and watching sunsets from their home. Rita and Leo attended First United Methodist Church in Quinlan, where they were warmly welcomed into a new fellowship of believers, as well as the Kitsee Knoll Estates neighbors. In the short time in Texas, they truly felt like this was home.
Her devotion to her family and 38 years of ministry left a lasting impression on many, as she will be remembered for her unwavering faith and commitment to sharing the love of Jesus Christ. “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.” Matthew 25:23. We rejoice in her life, and in her death, as Rita has been welcomed Home and has met her Jesus face to face.
Rita was preceded in death by her mother, Pauline Smurr, who died when Rita was 2; father, Charles Smurr; son, Peter Brown; and sister, Janis Carson. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Leo Brown of Quinlan, Texas; daughters, Sara Thomas of Morrow, Ohio, and Kristine & Scott Reed of Fairview, Texas; grandchildren, Blaine and Charleigh Reed; stepmom, Mary Smurr of Lancaster, Ohio; siblings, Barbara Singer of Lancaster, Ohio, Karen Siders of Pleasantville, Ohio, Roxanne Smurr of Lancaster, Ohio, Kevin (Katie) Smurr of Pataskala, Ohio, Barry (Kristi) Smurr of Baltimore, Ohio, Tori (Mike) Gilmour of Lancaster, Ohio, Mona (Bill) Reed of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and Kent (Lori) Smurr of Lancaster, Ohio; and countless nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Sandra Lee Calvert, aged 77, passed on peacefully to her forever home on May 14th, 2021 from pancreatic cancer.
We celebrate her heavenly reunion with her beloved husband of 26 years, Reverend Robert (Bob) Calvert; her parents, Floy and Olin Davis; and her many siblings and relatives who went on before her. Her children, Julie Yarbrough, Jena Poole, Jon Yarbrough, Jennifer Ramsey, Andrea Butler, and Barbara Grant will carry her memory with them always. She also has several cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews that will carry on her legacy of love.
Sandy’s devotion and faith inspired everyone she knew, most recently in the communities of Alford and Marianna, FL that she called home for the past 18 years. She worked diligently alongside her husband in the ministry for Greenwood United Methodist Church, Bascom United Methodist Church, and First United Methodist Church of Marianna, FL in various ways from children’s ministry to women’s studies and community outreach programs.
Her unwavering faith was an inspiration to everyone who met her. Her love ran deep for others and her happiest moments were when she could make others smile. Sandy was blessed by many friendships, from the instant connection with Sue and JW Dilmore, to her lifelong bond with her niece, Gail. There are many who were near and dear to her heart.
She was the constant companion of her husband, encouraging and caring for him as he courageously battled Parkinson’s disease. She was his “angel” and their love for one another was timeless.
The compassion from her church “families,” neighbors, friends, and family and the care team of Dr. Stephen Spence and his staff at Internal Medicine and Covenant Care Team will always be remembered. Those who visited, called, sent cards, and brought meals were deeply appreciated.
Jim Lenderman, M.Div’91, aged 57, of Lowell, Arkansas, entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on May 16, 2021. He now sees and experiences in full what he has read about, trusted in, hoped for, shared, and taught his entire life. Jim is a native of Carlisle, Arkansas, where he grew up and attended First United Methodist Church with his family every Sunday. He graduated from Carlisle High School and attended the University of Arkansas where he graduated with a BS in Business Administration. One week after he graduated he married the love of his life, Beth Tarter. He worked a brief stint for TCBY in Little Rock then as a division manager in East Tennessee and West Virginia before he pursued God’s call on his heart to be a pastor and enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. A member of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church, he has served pastorates at First United Methodist Church, Hot Springs; Parker’s Chapel/Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, El Dorado; First United Methodist Church, Prescott; Grace United Methodist Church, Conway; and Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was serving currently as senior pastor of Central United Methodist Church, Rogers, before his passing. Jim’s 30 years of ministry have been characterized by his devotion to God and his heart for God’s people, his faithfulness in every church he has served, from small to large, and his emphasis on leading his people in the discipline and practice of prayer. Last year Jim received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, but through the battle, his faithful witness was unwavering and he faced his own death with courage and dignity. Jim is remembered for his love of the Lord, his servant’s heart and his pursuit of holiness; his witty sense of humor; his love for the Arkansas Razorbacks; and the wonderful husband and father he was to his family. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Bill and Ena Lou Lenderman and his brother-in-law, Carl Kelley. Jim leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Beth, and his two sons Hayden (27) and Jordan (23); his siblings Annette Kerr (Larry), Virginia Kelley, Jerry Lenderman, Ron Lenderman (Brenda), Billy Lenderman (Ann), David Lenderman (Gwen), John Lenderman (Cheryl), and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Rev. Coral R. Ide, Bachelor of Divinity’56, aged 90, “finished the race” March 4, 2021, peacefully in his home in Sylmar, CA. He was born July 24, 1930, in Lehman Township, PA, the fifth of six children. His wife of 67 years, Mavis, survives him, along with 6 sons, 16 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren and 2 brothers.
Coral was a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College, North Chili, NY, ‘53 where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Literature. He earned a Masters of Divinity from Asbury in 1956. Ordained a Minister of the Free Methodist Church, Coral served churches in the New York Conference as Senior Pastor: Waverly, PA (1956–59); Dover-Ironia, NJ, where a new church was built (1960–63); and Beach Lake, PA (1963–64). Later he served as Pastor of the Marina Free Methodist Church, Marina Del Rey, CA (1980–85).
Twenty years of his career were spent in Christian education. In July 1964 he moved his family of seven from coast to coast, settling in Sylmar, CA, to become Administrator-Principal of the Light and Life Christian School (Kindergarten through Grade 6) and Assistant Pastor of the Sylmar Free Methodist Church (1964–1979). In 1986 he returned to be the Administrator of Sylmar Light and Life for another five years, retiring from formal ministry in 1991.
A friend from his first day of college gave this tribute at his memorial service. “His quiet but complete dedication to Jesus Christ, to the church and to his call to the ministry distinguished him in college, seminary and throughout his whole life.”
The last paragraph of his autobiography, Hand of God, written in 1997 underscores the purpose and direction of his life. “I am confident that the very same “Hand of God” will guide me to the land of Paradise where I will forever rejoice with the saints as we worship our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, without distraction and time-limiting demands. Thanks be to God!”
Clancy Thompson, M.Div’55, aged 90,sprinted into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 11, 2021. His family grieves deeply at the loss of a great husband of 71 years to Doris Thompson; a loving father of Brian (Marge) Thompson, Mark (Beverly) Thompson, and Steven (Jessica) Thompson; a proud grandpa of 18 and great grandpa of 16. They rejoice over his faithful life and that he is now with Jesus.
Clancy and his wife Doris gave their lives in service of their Lord. Both feeling called as missionaries since childhood, they served over 25 years on the mission field in Brazil. Clancy also pastored the Clarkston Free Methodist Church (now Waypoint Church) for 15 years before returning to Brazil. While in Brazil a second time, Clancy served as Area Director for Latin America. In 1997, Clancy became Global Director for Free Methodist Missions, headquartered in Indianapolis. They retired in Clarkston to be near family in 2000.
May our dear brothers and Sisters rest in eternal peace. Lives well lived
May God strengthen the families and friends of the deceased at this time of loss