Obituaries
Charles William Arensman, MDiv 1951, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2017 in his home surrounded by his family. Bill was born August 12, 1927 to Walter and Mary Chick Arensman in Metropolis, IL. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Edith Todd Arensman, his daughters, Mary Arensman and Carol Arensman Grissom, his son-in-law, Chuck Grissom, all of Dallas TX, his sister, Joann Hammack of Oviedo, FL and 6 beloved nieces and nephews. Bill was involved in Christian ministry all of his adult life as a pastor, Bible teacher and missionary. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him. II Timothy 4:7, 8 (paraphrase) He fought a good fight, he has finished his course, he kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness which the Lord shall give to them that love Him.
Rev. Roy Ernest Bryant, MDiv 1993, age 72, of Arab, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at Marshall Medical Center North. Rev. Bryant was born on November 25, 1945, in Jefferson County, Alabama, the son of M. Leroy Bryant and Ernestine Akins Bryant. He graduated from Banks High School in 1963. Roy went on to U.A.B. where he received a B.S. in Psychology and Sociology and received his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He served in Ministry for over 30 years, serving numerous Churches in the North Alabama United Methodist Conference. In Arab he pastored New Brashier’s Chapel U nited Methodist Church from 1992-1996 and served as Associate Pastor at Arab First United Methodist Church from 2012-2017. He and Kathy Coker were married on Jan. 8, 1994. Rev. Bryant is survived by his wife, Kathy Coker Bryant of Arab; sons, Alan (Sherry) Bryant of Foley, AL, Mark (Holly) Bryant of Foley, AL and Scott (Melanie) Bryant of Decatur, AL; brother, Rev. Lee (Nancie) Bryant of Ft. Payne, AL; grandchildren, Courtney (Derek) Bryant, Johnwesley (Samantha) Bryant, Luke Bryant, Nick Bryant, Ashley Bryant, Katy Bryant and Harper Bryant and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Deloris Bryant; parents, Leroy and Ernestine Bryant and his mother in law, Jewell Coker.
Rev. Larry B. Gardner, MDiv 1966, 77, Lexington, passed away Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at St. Joseph Hospital. He was born October 3, 1940 in Henry County to the late Raymond and Lillian Bryant Gardner. Larry loved being a husband, father and grandfather while enjoying gardening, growing popcorn and vegetables. He served as a United Methodist pastor for 43 years across the Commonwealth, district superintendent and conference counsel director. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, J.L. Gardner and Prentice Gardner and three sisters, Ella Mae Harrell, Billie Wentworth and Linda Bauer. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Sewell Gardner; three children, Larry Mark Gardner, Mercer County, Sonya Kay Gardner, Lexington and Kelly Bain (Tricia) Gardner, Ohio County; a sister, Evelyn Farris, Louisville and two grandchildren, Michael Gardner and Elizabeth Gardner.
Mrs. Constance Shipp Huston, age 86, of Riverside Road, London, Kentucky passed away on March 17, 2018, at her residence. She was the wife of the late Dewey Huston, DMin 1996, who passed away on December 11, 2012. She was the mother of Jonathan Huston, Nancy Hendon and Rebecca Huston all of London, Kentucky. She was the sister of Cecil Shipp, Jr. of Augusta, Georgia. Mrs. Huston was a Missionary for the Assemblies of God for 34 years.
Dr. Fred Dale Layman, MDiv 1956, 86, of Springfield, son of Lee and Winnie (Thomas) Layman was born September 27, 1931 in Marshfield, Missouri, and departed this life March 9, 2018 in Cox South Hospital, Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Fred graduated from Marshfield High School in 1949 and continued his education at Asbury College in Wilmore, KY. He received his Masters Degree from the University of Iowa and earned his Doctorate at Princeton. Later he was a professor of Old and New Testament at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife of 53 years, Donna Jean (Roberts) Layma n; son, Steven Robert Layman. Dr. Fred is survived by his loving wife Elda of the home; brother, Tom Layman and wife Sue of Marshfield; sister, Peggy Shuler of Springfield; three nieces, Teresa Hahn (Jim) of Bellevue, NE, Rebecca Hyder (Randy) of Marshfield, and Cristy Gies (Joe) of Springfield, and a host of relatives and friends.
Earl C. Killian, MDiv 1979, age 67, of Castle Shannon, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, March 15, 2018; Son of the late Earl C. and Mary Pepper Killian; beloved husband for 29 years of Rev. Deborah Ackley Killian; devoted father of Grace E. Killian; loving brother of Elizabeth Caldwell (David); brother-in-law of Pamela Bright (Stephen); dear uncle of Patricia Dee, Joyce Crofutt, James, Jeffrey and Christopher Bright. Also survived by his cousins and many loyal freinds. Rev. Killian served the United Methodist Church for many years, including Hopewell United Methodist Church in Boswell, PA a nd Wheatland-Farrell United Methodist Church. He also served as a social worker for Goodwill Industries. In his last years he was a member at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church.
David Thomas Lord, MDiv 1993, age 68, died February 26, 2018 at home with his family by his side. Born on August 8, 1949 in Salisbury, NC, he was the son of the late William Thomas and Hazeline Carter Lord. Rev. Lord served his country proudly in the United States Marine Corps. He received his Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and served as a minister for 37 dedicated years in the Wesleyan Church/North Carolina District. He loved to run and enjoyed kayaking. He loved community theatre, beach music and mentoring the youth. Rev. Lord is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn Atkins Lord; daughters, Megan Lord Petersen (Lucas), Lauren Lord Urban (Stephen); step daughter, Kristen Horne (Brant); stepsons, Teddy Blalock (Christina) and Jon Blalock; brother, Timothy Lord (Pat); grandchildren, Hadley, Rylee, Jackson, Wilson, Walker and Camden; nieces, Jennifer Lord Mahaley and Katie Lord Dagenhart, and nephew, Luke Lord.
Rev. Richard Quackenbush, MDiv 1992, 66, passed away on March 18, 2018 in Marietta, GA. Rich was born February 16, 1952 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey to Fred Quackenbush and Jessie Geddes Quackenbush. He was of the Methodist faith and was a Methodist Minister for over 20 years serving at Lee United Methodist in Lee, Florida; Southwest United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Florida; and Harvieland United Methodist Church in Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a graduate of The University of Florida and Asbury Seminary. Rich was active in the community by serving as a Lee Volunteer Firefighter and Chaplain as well as the Lee City Council. He was preceded in death by his mother Jessie Quackenbush (Geddes). Rich is survived by his wife of 43 years Ginny Quackenbush; sons David and Michael; daughter Sharon Quackenbush Banks; and sister Lorrie Beasley; and father Fred Quackenbush.
I’m sorry to see both one of my former professors (Fred Layman, from whom I learned much) and a classmate and friend Earl Killian have left our earthly fellowship. I treasure the memories of both.
Fred Layman was an excellent professor.
His class on “Roman Catholicism” was very helpful to me in understanding that part of the Body of Christ, and
relating to their people.
Pax Christi.
———
Larry Gardner was a dear brother and fellow servant of Christ in the Kentucky Conference of the UMC.
Fred Layman was my professor for MDiv and my advisor for my DMin. He was a major force in encouraging me in the DMin studies and helping me get my dissertation in shape to be accepted. I will always remember him and thank God for him. By the way, we learned during those DMin days that he played steel guitar!