Obituaries
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Dallas Lou Ahnen, M.Div. ’71, aged 79, passed away on November 6th, 2023, in Joplin Missouri. He was born on January 2nd, 1942, in Adair County, Iowa and attended Richland Consolidated School.
Rev. Robert Edward Anderson, Jr., M.Div. ’99, aged 63, of Ulysses, PA, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. Born Dec. 24, 1959, in Adrian Hospital, Punxsutawney, he was the son of Robert and Rose Mary Johnston Anderson.He loved to read, learn, teach, and mentor. Rob loved the outdoors, sailing, camping, and backpacking with his family. He was an Eagle Scout with Punxsutawney Troop 247 and continued volunteering with the organization. He enjoyed his time as a ropes course facilitator with Penn-York Camp and Retreat Center in Ulysses for many years.
In his travels with United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMViM), Paul always packed two suitcases – one for himself, another filled with toys, candy, tools, and other necessities for the children of the community. He’d empty this second case out, before filling it with gifts and remembrances to bring home to his family, friends, and congregation.
Gary Neal Britten, aged 91, devoted husband of Paulette Mathews Britten for 38 years slipped into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, November 5th, 2023. He was a native of Exeter, California, born April 28, 1932, to the late Younie Britten and Salome McFall. The baby of the family, Gary was preceded in death by his parents and siblings – Lynn Britten and Frances Britten Kirkman. After completing a year at California Polytechnic State University, Gary enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War and was proud to serve his country as an airfield radio operator in Germany. Gary was an avid Ham Radio operator and enjoyed a career as an engineer for Pacific Bell Telephone / AT&T. He and his bride moved to Wilmore, KY in 1993 and invested their lives in their churches and community. After moving to Kentucky, he worked in IT at Asbury Theological Seminary and as a courier at First Southern National Bank. The family is proud of his commitment to the Francis Asbury Society as he spent years preserving digital audio copies of the sermons of Dr. Dennis F. Kinlaw (Founder and Evangelist of the Francis Asbury Society and President of Asbury College). He was a long-time member and production crew volunteer at Southland Christian Church in Nicholasville, KY and constantly encouraged others to use their spiritual gifts. He was a faithful member of the NBC class at church and shared his testimony just a few months ago. Until recently Gary was an active member of JAWS – Jessamine Amateur Wireless Society and the Wilmore Lyons Club. Gary was the proud and loving father of Constance Britten, Christopher Britten, Phil Rodrigues, Jill Rodrigues Snyder (Dan), and Paul Rodrigues (Sarah Morin). Beloved grandchildren include Joshua Britten (Sarah Fagerstrom), Megan Snyder Moore (Trevor), Micah Holley (Sarah Cleaver), Joel Holley, Elena and Audrey Rodrigues. Great grandchildren include Edward Britten, Raelynn and Xander Moore. He is loved by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Gary is known to all for his love of organ music, emergency preparedness, love for Jesus, infectious optimism, cheshire smile, corny jokes, and for being “the nicest guy in the room.”
Rex’s life was defined by unwavering faith in Christ and love for his family and community. After graduating from Asbury College and Asbury Seminary, Rex spent his life serving as pastor in the United Methodist Church.
Rex’s devotion extended beyond the pulpit; he was a faithful visitor, always ready to listen to stories and offer encouragement. Rex loved all people and was present in their times of need. He also loved baseball, taking pictures of his family, and enjoying his grandkids; he spent hours with them playing euchre, board games, wrestling, and mushroom hunting. Rex loved Jesus and his family. He was humble and faithful, touching many lives and leaving behind a legacy of love.
Rex was a loving and devoted husband to Luanne Jones. For fifty years together, they built a life of faith, an example of love and commitment for their children and all who knew them. Rex was a proud father to Brian (Beth), Kirsten (Jay), Devin (Kari), Ethan (Meagan), and Chicody (Nina). He instilled in them the values of faith in Christ, compassion, and perseverance. Rex is also survived by his brother, Richard Jones (Mary); and his grandchildren: Gwen, Sam, Tess, Zeke, Talan, Kenzlee, Sage, Sloane, Silas, Seraphina, Logan, Benaiah, Shiloh, and Dia. Rex will be deeply missed.
Zachary Hudson Mayo, M.A. World Missions and Evangelism ’94, aged 57, of Lake Charles, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Zachary, known to his friends and family as Zach, was born November 15, 1966, in Lake Charles to Bradford Mayo and Diane Vodrey Mayo.
Zach graduated from St. Louis Catholic High School in 1985 and from Centenary College in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education where he ran cross-country. Zach later pursued a master’s degree in world missions and evangelism from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He served with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church in the Appalachian Service Project in Kentucky and later in the New Mexico Mission School. In Khaborovsk, Russia, Zach served as a member of the Mission Society’s Co-Mission Team as a US-2 Missionary. One-on-one evangelism was a passion for Zach and one of the places he ministered was on the streets of Austria.
In 1980 Zach achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
Zach was a very private person and over the years he wrote songs and poetry about his life which he shared with only a select few. One place he was most happy was with his black lab, Sammy.
Zach was preceded in death by his father, Bradford Mayo.
Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Diana Vodrey, stepmother, Ann Mayo, brothers Thaddeus and Joshua, sisters, Stephanie Starkovich and Mariah Fine, and seven nieces and nephews.
Donald A. “Don” Russell, B.Div. ’57, aged 94, died peacefully at home Dec. 5, 2023, deeply attended by his family and with his beloved Susan by his side.
Born Sept. 8, 1929, a month before the great crash of the Great Depression, to Clara L. (Breidert) and Paul E. Russell in Chicago, his early years and life were shaped by that period in history.
Don was simple and deep, a kind, call-me-Don sort of man. He related to all as a humble, common person quietly grounded in the reality of who he was before God. From the depths of being a deeply attentive listener, his quick-witted humor would bubble up in full-hearted laughter. His own rigorous inner honesty gave rise to a humility that put others at ease. Music, his first language, filled house and soul with the sweetness of the world. A rich baritone, he sought to harmonize in life as in song.
After graduating in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, he answered a call to ministry receiving a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY. Ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church, he along with his first wife, Lela, served churches in Hubble, KY, Mayview, IL; Byron Center, Lawton, and Watervliet, MI before going to the Church of the Saviour, Washington, DC. There he served in a retreat ministry to the global church, Wellspring of Germantown, MD, from 1974-1999. While there, he met and married (1993) his second wife, Susan Morley. In 2001, they co-founded and directed Primavera, a Sacred and Sustainable Earth Center of Dunamis Peace Institute, located east of Kalkaska, MI at the head of the Boardman watershed until Earth Day 2021 when the land was sold. In the words of Thomas Berry, the primary call of his last twenty-four years was “to go into the future as one single sacred community or perish together in the desert.”
Don is survived by his wife, Susan Morley, his daughters and their spouses, Rebecca (Tim) Finch and Ruth (Rick) Lenz (Mancelona), and granddaughter, Raechel Lenz (Traverse City) and his wife’s children, spouses and grandchildren, Christa J. Morley (Eric) Walry and Isaiah, Susanna, Marcus (Ottawa, ON), J.R. “Rich” (Stephanie) Morley, Ben and Cohen (Niagara Falls, ON) and son, R.S.”Bob” Morley (Wakefield, Quebec), niece, Bonnie Bing Graham and nephews and spouses, Ron (Stacy) Bing and Larry (Mary) Bing.
He is predeceased by his parents, first wife and friend, Lela Russell, infant daughter, Christine, and sister, Lois Bing.
David G. Schroen, M.Div. ’67, aged 82, son of the late Robert L. and Esther (Wilhardt) Schroen, passed from this life on Nov. 11, 2023. Born in Peoria, Illinois, on April 26, 1941, he spent his growing up years in the Washington-Roanoke, Illinois area, then graduated from Asbury University and Asbury Seminary, both in Wilmore, Ky.
In 1967, Dave joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ (now CRU), an interdenominational Christian organization where he mentored men either in small group Bible Studies or one-on-one, discipling them and walking beside as they journeyed through their Christian walk.
The passion of Dave’s life was to share the Gospel with everyone he could, and explain how they could come into a relationship with God through accepting the free gift of eternal Life offered to them by Jesus’s payment on the cross in exchange for their sin. Many days, Dave could be found between appointments sitting in a booth at Arby’s with his Bible open, reading and studying it continually.
During his ministry years, Dave opened and directed CRU ministries on several college campuses including University of Miami, University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, Towson University, and Salisbury University.
In June of 1970, Dave married the former Julie Nagel, from Preston, who joined CRU and worked alongside Dave in ministry. After 25 years with the Campus Ministry they transitioned within CRU to begin working with business and
professional men and women in Salisbury until the present day.
Besides his parents, Dave was preceded in death by a baby sister- Margaret Susan Schroen, a brother- Joseph (Pepper) Schroen, a sister- Ann (Schroen) Lytle and a daughter-in-law, Jessica Schroen.
Dave is survived by his wife Julie (Nagel); 3 children: Kristin (Dave) Rawlings, Daric (Holly) Schroen and J.D. (Jenny) Schroen; 5 grandchildren: Jesse Rawlings, and Olivia, Ethan, Gavin, Braden Schroen; 2 brothers- Bob (Ellen) and Dan (Brenda) Schroen; 5 sisters: Mary Jane Holzhouer, Catherine (Dick) Dunn, Esther (Charlie) Coe, Jan (David) Nagel, and Sally (Tony) Roberts.
David graduated from Catlettsburg High School in 1973 and continued his education at Oral Roberts University earning his bachelor’s degree in New Testament Theology and minoring in Psychology. He furthered his academic pursuits with a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1981. For 36 years he dedicated himself to the preaching of the Gospel as a United Methodist Minister in the Kentucky, North Carolina, and Western North Carolina Conferences. He retired in Lexington, KY on Jan. 1, 2018.
In 1984 David found love and companionship with Carmen Kidd whom he married on November 24, 1984. David was a devoted fan of the Beatles and Bob Dylan. He serenaded Carmen frequently, never forgetting a word.
David is also survived by his sister, Denise Spaulding, of Catlettsburg, KY, his Uncle Danny Burns (Martha Salvato) of Tucson, AZ, his Aunt Pam Girten, Of Louisville, KY and a cousin, Darren Green, also of Louisville, KY.
David was deeply loved by many, and he will be deeply and eternally missed by all who were touched by his love and kindness. A private family service will be held at a later date.
Len was born on June 19, 1949, in Atlanta, GA. After graduating from R.E. Lee Institute (high school), in 1967, he received his college degree from Asbury College, in 1971. Asbury College was a special place for his whole family. His grandfather was on the Board at Asbury; Len’s mother and father met at Asbury; and many other family members attended there. From 1975-1978 Len attended Asbury Seminary and was granted his Master of Divinity Degree.
Len was preceded in death by his father, Roland Lenwood Walker, Sr.; his mother, Jeanne Gamble Walker; and his sister, Beverly Walker Williams. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Marilynn McCollum Walker; his brother, Robert Wesley Walker (Debbie); five children: Jess Walker, Lindy Hildebrand (Marty), Brittany Cone (Nick), Rhett Walker (Kristen), and Charis Doster; nine grandchildren survive: Marshall Hildebrand (Kadie), Mayes Hildebrand (Sydney), Matthew Hildebrand, Daniel Sapp, Maleigha Hildebrand, Mallory Hildebrand, Tucker Doster, Knox Doster and Brooks Walker. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Larkin, Leander, Layla Mae and Lainey; and several nieces and nephews.
Len was a minister for over 47 years from 1976 until the time of his death. He served many churches: Salvisa and Joseph’s Chapel UMC (in Kentucky as a seminary student), Mount Vernon UMC, Jasper UMC, Loganville UMC, Trinity Church, Norcross UMC, Big Canoe Chapel, Flovilla UMC, Jenkinsburg UMC and was currently at Macedonia UMC. In these churches, Len performed hundreds of weddings and even more funerals. His ministry was a lifelong calling and he visited with thousands of sick or hurting people. He prayed personally for every need he was aware of and for most of the needs he prayed many times. Also, he rejoiced with people in their celebrations and joys of life…their victories and the proud moments that occurred. So many people from each of his former churches stayed in contact with him and reminded him just what an impact he had on their life.
From 1995-2011 (17 years) Len served as a State Representative for a district in Walton County. For his last few years there he was Chairman of the Higher Education Committee. Since he was moving out of his district to pastor a new church, he resigned from the Legislature. When Speaker of the House David Ralston died in 2022, Len was one of the two people (the other was Governor Brian Kemp) asked to speak at the memorial service in the Capitol Rotunda. He helped so many of his constituents while in office. From prisoners to patients to people in need, he was always available. Many of the other representatives and senators became lifelong friends.
As a family man and a man of faith, Len was truly blessed. He and his wife met and three years later they married. With five children, nine grandchildren, and four great grandchildren, he attended many of their activities and a lot of love was exchanged back and forth. Even as a young child if there was a baby around, Len could be found with them holding and snuggling the little one. When his two grandsons, Tucker and Knox, lived at Big Canoe with him, he loved them as his own and taught them Biblical and life principles. The boys would always help light the Advent candle on Christmas Eve at Big Canoe Chapel. He enjoyed playing golf and playing at the beach with each of his grandchildren through the years. He also constructed and designed a village for his electric trains, which he spent countless hours sharing with his family and friends.
Len’s father, grandfather, and cousin Mark were all ministers. Since his family moved around frequently during his childhood and rarely owned their own homes, Len had a place he called home. Indian Springs Holiness Campground was the location where he had a house and could really be “at home”. His grandfather built the house in 1958 and whenever he needed to pray, study, relax or just get away, he would get in his car and drive there. He was so excited to clean and get it ready for 10 days of camp meeting services each year. All five of his children and his grandchildren love attending and the memories there are unforgettable. On the weekends, there may be over 30 people in the house with one bathroom, no central air and no tv. For the past 20 years, Len has sat in his Brumby rocker on the front porch and stated, “This is where I want to live out my last days. My home is here, and I will be happy and at peace”. When circumstances did not allow him to continue with that plan, Len and Marilynn were able to move to Thomson, and he became pastor at Macedonia Methodist Church. The people at Macedonia were so loving and welcoming and a new home brought comfort and peace.
Len’s life was a life of faith. In the hospital, he told one of the doctors that his wishes for his last days were to be with his family and grow his faith with everyone around him. In other words, do what he had been doing his whole ministry. He succeeded and God will be well pleased with his faithful servant.
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