Obituaries
Meesaeng Lee Choi, Th.M. in Missions and Evangelism ’91, aged 65, departed this world on January 11, 2024, in Lexington, Kentucky. Born on October 24, 1958, in Seoul, South Korea, she moved to Wilmore, KY, in August 1989, in her early 30s, and married in June 1991. Meesaeng was unwavering in being a diligent learner, devoted wife, dedicated educator, and determined follower of Jesus Christ. She was a loving, caring, and self-giving person who deeply prayed for her church, seminary, students, and many others.
Meesaeng’s academic journey was marked by her commitment to theological studies. She majored in English Literature at Ewha Womans University (Seoul, Korea), earned her M.Div. at Seoul Theological Seminary (Seoul, Korea) and her Th.M. in Missiology at Asbury Theological Seminary, and received her Ph.D. in Theological & Religious Studies (Historical Theology) from Drew University (Madison, NJ). She continued her scholarly pursuits at the University of Chicago, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Oxford University in England. She wholeheartedly gave herself as a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary (Wilmore, KY), teaching Church History, Historical Theology, and Spiritual Formation. Despite battling cancer for over 15 years, she achieved the rank of Full Professor in 2012 and continued to impact the lives of her students until her retirement in September 2023.
Meesaeng’s commitment to ministry extended beyond the classroom. She served tirelessly as a pastor’s wife, taking on numerous roles. Deeply concerned with the well-being of missionaries and pastors, she founded the All Nations Mission Center in Lexington, KY. Her life had an impact beyond borders, committing to the global Christian community by serving as Chief Editor for “World Christianity” and an editor for the Sub-series on “Early and Patristic Christian Studies.” A polyglot with fluency in English and Korean, Meesaeng possessed a reading knowledge of Theological Latin, French, German, Greek, and Hebrew.
Meesaeng Lee Choi is survived by her husband, Rev. Hunn Choi; four siblings, six in-laws, five nephews, and four nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents. She leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, compassionate ministry, and a dedication to the global mission. Her life was a testament to the transformative power of education, service, and unwavering faith in Christ. Her memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Pastor Augustine Dorbor, aged 57, of Liberation Center Liberia, passed away on January 2, 2024. He was well beloved by all who knew him. Pastor Dorbor has been a blessing to many. He helped establish a ministry in the prisons of Liberia and on the radio airwaves! He was a selfless man who loved big and shared Jesus with everyone he came into contact with. Pastor Dorbor was a true Soldier for Christ! He was not be forgotten, and those who loved him will always hold them in their hearts.
Reverend Stevan “Steve” Richard Haiflich, M.Div. ’74, aged 71, passed away in his Chicago home and went peacefully to Heaven on October 5, 2019, after a four-month illness of cancer.
Steve’s life was defined by his commitment and love of his family and his marriage to Lynette (Lanzer) Haiflich. He leaves behind two sons: Philip (Heidi) Haiflich and their children Logan, Connor and Gavin of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Andrew Haiflich (Lauren) and their children Hanna and Addison of Hooper, Utah; his stepson David (Robin) Lanzer and their children Jackson and Amelia of Beverly Hills, California; a sister, Karen (Haiflich) Reinhard of Bluffton, Indiana; and sister-in-law Marcy (Lanzer) Nighswander of Athens, Ohio.
“Pastor Steve” was born in Bluffton, Indiana on July 13, 1948, to Dorma (Hoopingarner) and Richard Haiflich who preceded him in death. Steve graduated from Taylor University with a B.A. in Biblical Literature and Asbury Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. As a United Methodist clergy, he was appointed by the Bishop and served as a pastor for 30 years in churches in the Indiana and Kentucky Conferences. He was a president of the Ministries of Rural Chaplains national organization. Steve served on many church mission trips to foreign countries.
Steve will also be remembered for his outgoing personality, big heart, sense of humor and his contagious smile. After retirement Steve and Lynette moved to Chicago where he enjoyed the Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks, attending World Series games, opening day and spring training. He was Santa Claus for charities, Macy’s on State Street and was the city of Chicago’s Santa Claus at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
Steve enjoyed travel and exploring new places with Lynette and family, with trips and extended stays in England, Paris, their anniversary in Prague, and lived for a time in Southern California where they enjoyed walking the Huntington Beach pier and watching the sunsets. One of Steve’s cherished family traditions was the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas kick-off, when his children and grandchildren in Indiana, Utah and California joined in Chicago at the Palmer House to enjoy holiday activities in the Windy City.
She was saved in her youth and began her journey of dedicating her life to the work of ministry. For most of her adult life Rev. Patricia was active in mission work, at home and abroad.
She received training through Penn State University by participating in the Public Affairs Leadership Program and conducted an International travel Seminar to Tunisia, Holland, and West Germany. She also received extensive training in Clinical Pastoral Education and Chaplaincy Residency at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia, PA.
She was affiliated with CLC Ministries International (formerly known as Christian Literature Crusade) for 11 years. There she served as a literature missionary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in Monrovia, Liberia. Her work involved managing the ministry bookstore and mission property. In Liberia, she also engaged in cross-cultural training.
She continued preparing her life for the work of the ministry, and received her Masters of Arts in Christian Education from Asbury Theological Seminary, and also a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary. She also received her Associate Degree from Harrisburg Area Community College in Hospitality and Food Service.
While a resident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania she joined the Mount Ephraim Baptist Church and was ordained as a Minister in 2004 under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Ronald K. Hill. She met Dr. Hill while serving in Monrovia, Liberia. During her time at Mount Ephraim she served as the under shepherd and pastored the church for over 2 years. The ministry grew under her leadership.
Upon her return to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania she united with The First Baptist Church of Steelton, Pennsylvania under the leadership of the late Dr. W. Braxton Cooley. As an Associate Minister, Rev. Patricia faithfully served as a spiritual leader, preaching, teaching Bible Study and leading Noon-Day prayer services.
She later returned to her home church, Shiloh C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Pastor Kevin L. Scott where she attended worship services and enjoyed the company and fellowship of her family and friends. Rev. Patricia will be remembered for her bold conviction of her love and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
She was blessed to be born into a large, loving family of five deceased sisters: Susie Smith, Eliza Marbury, Druesilla Jenkins, Carrie Jenkins, and Minnie Jenkins; and six brothers: her only surviving brother, Allen (Connie) and five deceased brothers: George, Luther, John, Russell, and Jerry, survived by wife Christine. Amongst the many who will miss her and cherish precious memories of her are her brother, her sisters-in-law, numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, devoted friends, her godchildren, and the Household of Faith.
Rev. Arden Curtiss “A.C.” Myers, M.Div. ’97, aged 70, peacefully entered into the presence of God on January 10, 2024, at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He was born on November 5, 1953, in Louisville, Kentucky, as the beloved youngest child of his late parents, Arden Charles and Ina Belle Myers. A.C. is preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and Sherry Myers; Brother-in-law, Gary Caruthers; Nephew, Keith Jackson; Mother-in-law, Frances Rothenberg; Former-in-laws, Herbert and Polly Bowdoin, who helped lead him in faith and in ministry; Fur babies, Brantley, Lexie, and Darby.
A.C. is survived by and will be remembered as a loving husband to his cherished wife, Leslie Rothenberg Myers, with whom he shared 15 beautiful years of unconditional love. He took great pride in his role as a devoted father to his only daughter, Shea Freeman, and son-in-law, Justin Freeman who he spent the last 19 years loving as his own. A.C. always had a mischievous spirit and when he would get together with his grandson, Charlie Curtis, who referred to him affectionately as Poppie, there was no telling what those two would get into. He is also survived by his brother, James Ray Myers (Glenda) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; His sister, Betty Myers Jackson Caruthers of Buckeye, Arizona; His father-in-law, Richard Rothenberg (Girlfriend, Sylvie) of Longboat Key, Florida; Brother-in-law, Gary Rothenberg (Angel) of Waynesboro, Georgia; Brother-in-law Scott Rothenberg (Teresa) of Belmont, North Carolina; Beloved nieces and nephews, Scott Myers (Laurel), Shannon Willis, Jeremy Myers (Kara), Russell Myers (Sherri), Brent Rothenberg, Courtney Hunt (Mitchell), Amanda Richardson (Caleb), Matthew Rothenberg, Jackson Rothenberg; Former spouse and mother to their daughter Shea, Jan Bowdoin Sutton (Steve) of Interlachen, Florida. Along with other cherished family and dear friends.
Throughout his life, A.C. exemplified qualities of kindness, humor, and faithfulness. A.C. devoted his life to serving others. He originally planned to use his love of history to become a teacher, but you know what they say about God and making plans. A.C. ultimately answered the Lord’s calling and he received his Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky in 1997 and became a pastor in the United Methodist Church. He began his ministry as the Pastor of Highland United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida and continued his ministry in Interlachen, Florida after being appointed to the First United Methodist Church of Interlachen, where he became fondly known as Pastor A.C. and served for 18 years until his retirement in 2019. His commitment to his congregations and dedication to sharing his faith will be remembered for years to come.
Beyond his role as a loving family man and minister, A.C. was known for always being the jokester with his quick wit. He would relentlessly tell jokes to anyone who would listen and think they were always his best comedic performance. A.C. was also an avid reader. He was able to read and retain an incredible amount of information that he would share with others; oftentimes leaving them in disbelief and wanting to fact check him, but he was rarely proven wrong. He also had a passion for classic cars, hot rods, and the exhilaration of drag racing. A.C. was a proud member of the National Hot Rod Association Top Eliminator Club and was also a chaplain with Racers for Christ. He spent many years traveling around to different car shows and races, where he could share his enthusiasm for racing. A.C. also appreciated the timeless beauty of old hymns, as well as the golden oldies like The Beach Boys and Elvis Presley.
Quoting a dear family friend, “Metaphorically speaking – no matter what collar A.C. wore, he never thought he was better than anyone else.” A.C. leaves behind a profound legacy of love and devotion that will forever live in the hearts of all that knew him.
John graduated from W. P. Daniel High School, New Albany in 1971, and the University of Mississippi in 1975 with a B.S. in Education. He and Lou Ann moved to Wilmore, Kentucky where John received a Master of Arts in Religion at Asbury Seminary. He completed the Master of Divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary and then attended Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, New Jersey. After completing a D. Min. at Asbury Seminary, John began taking retreatants once every year to the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky. He continued to do this for over 30 years. John completed his Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Donaldson, Indiana after spending one summer studying in Rome at the Vatican with Dr. Peter McQuirk and staying at Assisi to study the works of St. Francis, the focus of that dissertation. John’s most meaningful mission trip was to Brazil where he visited a leper colony that lived along the Amazon River. Their love and devotion to Christ was a great testimony to John.
For 32 years John served United Methodist Churches in Mississippi and New Jersey. He mentored many students in ministry and served on various committees for the conference and district. John enjoyed learning archaeology facts pertaining to Jesus’ life and participated in a “dig” in the 1970’s with Dr. Jim Fleming. He was a life-long learner and encouraged others to be immersed in studying and learning to further their Christian journey. Reading, studying, and research were his passions with particular emphasis on the passion of Jesus Christ.
United Methodist Churches served were: Chesterville, Ashland Charge (3), Tupelo FUMC Associate, Vienna, New Jersey, Ruleville/Doddsville, Minor Memorial, Eupora, Oxford St. Andrews, and Aberdeen/Strong. John loved “the Wesleyan Way” and Methodism.
John leaves behind his wife Lou Ann, two children Christy and Nathan, two grandchildren Matt and Mallory Hill, sister Penny Ray (Roger) and her two sons Drew and Travis, along with other nephews and nieces.
Lawson Lamar Thigpen, aged 93, was born February 4, 1930 In St. Petersburg, Florida. He was the only child of Judge Casey and Sarah Thigpen. When he was a small boy Lawson and his parents moved to Davisboro, a small town in Middle Georgia. Lawson spent his days hunting, fishing and playing on his Grandmother Thigpen’s farm.
Upon graduating from High School Lawson enlisted in the Air Force where he learned court reporting. He served during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. After his honorable discharge from the service he was employed by the Middle Judicial Circuit as the court reporter . He traveled with the judge around the circuit to the various jurisdictions.
In 1958 he met and married his wife, Anne of 66 years. In December of 1960 they moved to Marietta and Lawson continued his career in court reporting working first in the Superior Court of Cobb County and later in the State Court. When a position opened in Dekalb County he left Cobb and worked in Dekalb Superior Court until his retirement. The skills he learned in the Air Force led to over 40 plus years in his profession, He transcribed cases from the mountains of North Georgia to the Georgia Coast; and from Alabama, USA to Germany.
After Lawson retired he and Anne traveled near and far. They also spent several months out of the year at their beach house at St. Simons. When Lawson wasn’t frying flounder and trout he volunteered at Epworth by the Sea converting slides into digital format.
Lawson loved his God and walked humbly and obediently with Him everyday of his life. Lawson also loved his family and was proud of each and everyone of them. Lawson is predeceased by his parents, Casey and Sarah Thigpen and his wife, Anne. He is survived by his children, Aurieanne and Bob Sneed and Jane and Todd Copeland, his grandchildren, Robert Alexander Sneed, III, Hunter Lawson Sneed and Michael Ivan Copeland.
Tania Van Dongen, M.Div. ’19 and D.Min. ’23, aged 61, passed away on December 17, 2023. A full obituary might be HERE eventually. In the meantime, you can view her celebration of life HERE.
The loss of Meesaeng Lee Choi is very sad to learn about. She will be greatly missed as will her strength in patristics. I hope and pray that ATS finds another person as strong in patristics as her. Methodists need to know something about patristics and the role it played in Wesley’s theology and practice.