Obituaries
Muriel Fattic
ResidedSpring Arbor, MI
PassedJune 5, 2025
Born in London, England, Muriel grew up in Urbana, Illinois, the middle child in a close family of five: brother Marvin, sister Kristin (Shipley), and parents Minta and Arthur Secord. Muriel was vivacious, musical, and fun-loving, deeply committed to Christ, showing His joy to all she met. The family spent time each summer at a family cabin on a Minnesota lake, a lake that she loved and visited until her last year. The family were stalwart members of the Free Methodist church, and all the siblings went to Greenville College. Muriel studied sociology at Greenville and worked in the Woodstock children’s home. At Greenville Muriel met the love of her life, Roger Johnson. They were married at the Urbana church and moved to Wilmore, Kentucky soon after where Roger would earn his degree in divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. In their last year in Kentucky, Muriel and Roger welcomed into the world the first of their four children.
Muriel and Roger’s calling took them to four churches over a long career: Albion, Illinois; First Church and Aldersgate, Indianapolis; and Winona Lake, Indiana. Muriel’s vocation as a busy mother, pastor and conference superintendent’s wife, and later as a teacher, was a profound blessing to her children, parishioners, and her many friends. The space allotted here cannot begin to describe her devotion to family and the Lord, and stories of her love and good-natured common sense are treasured by those who knew her.
She and Roger retired to their beloved lake in Minnesota. After thirteen years there, Roger died suddenly of an aneurysm, leaving Muriel with memories of their marriage she would cherish to her final days. Four years later, Muriel wed Richard Fattic at the Arbor Church in Spring Arbor, Michigan. They spent eight happy years together until Dick died, and Muriel began living independently in an apartment in Spring Arbor, Michigan. Only last year did Muriel decide to leave her comfortable apartment with a view she loved of birds and trees, and move to assisted living. She died peacefully of natural causes, holding hands with one of her daughters and one of her granddaughters, as they sang of our Savior, “rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.”
Muriel is survived by four children and spouses, Bruce and Ann Brammer-Johnson of Keezletown, Virginia; David and Melody Johnson of Nashville, Tennessee; Linda and Mark Van Valin of Detroit, Michigan; and Judith and Bruce Young of Spring Hill, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, and she is survived by eleven grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren, each one of whom she prayed for by name until the very last.
Shawn Michael Gustin
DegreeM.Div. '16
ResidedSearcy, AR
PassedJuly 5, 2025
Shawn Michael Gustin, 50, of Searcy, passed away on July 5, 2025. Born on Dec. 2, 1974, Shawn lived a life full of love, generosity and service to others.
A 2016 graduate of Asbury Seminary with a Master of Divinity, Shawn was a man of deep faith and conviction. He was a devoted member of his church and dedicated much of his life to helping others, especially children. He had a heart for service, a passion for ministry and a spirit that uplifted those around him.
Shawn was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Paige Shields Gustin; his grandfather, Donald Gustin; his grandparents, Vernon and JL Bell; and his mother-in-law, Donna Shields.
He is survived by his two sons, Brennan and Morgen Gustin, whom he loved deeply and of whom he was immensely proud. He also leaves behind his loving parents, Randy and Amy Gustin; his sister, April Tarno; two nieces, Caitlin (Dillon) Meyers and Ashton Tarno; a great-niece, Paisley; a great-nephew, Tucker; his grandmother, Lillian Gustin; his father-in-law, Bill Shields; and his girlfriend, Sandy Helfer, along with her son, Kane, who brought joy and companionship to his life.
Shawn had a deep love for music, travel and – much to everyone’s amusement – shopping. His fun-loving personality and generous heart made him a friend to many and a light in every room he entered.
William "Wayne" Kirk
DegreeM.A. in Religious Education '68
PassedJune 19, 2025
William “Wayne” Kirk, 83, devoted husband of Beverlee Wise Kirk passed away Thursday June 19, 2025 at Baptist East Hospital due to a battle with colon cancer.
He was the son of Josephine “Jo” Williams Cobb of Nicholasville, Ky.
His love for Jesus and the family of God was his primary character. The church, gospel music, food and close personal God given friends that became family was the center of his life from beginning to the end. He was a proud member of Victory Baptist Church in North Augusta, SC.
He graduated from Jessamine Co High School, Asbury College (University) of Wilmore, KY, Asbury Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.
He began his career as a Minister of Music at various churches in Georgia, Florida and Kentucky and also Directed many Youth Choirs at those churches. He loved music. He along with Beverlee and friend Julie formed a southern Gospel group called Kirks & Revival and made several recordings. After over 20 years in the Ministry he shifted gears and entered the Floral industry for a while which turned into traveling and doing Arts & Craft Shows & Festivals for over 45 years and most recently working with and helping his grandson David with Hillbilly Gourmet LLC.
Wayne was very creative, thoughtful, caring and a giver. Giving was one of his greatest joys. He loved to give and do for others. He had many other passions including cooking and eating God’s gift of food. The most important decision Wayne made in his life was to put his faith and trust in Jesus and invite him into his life and live for Christ. You could see and hear his love for Christ in just one conversation with him.
Wayne leaves behind to cherish his precious memory devoted caregiver and grandson, David Drake: and many neighbors and friends.
Rev. Shirley Eugene Morgan
DegreeB.Div. '56
PassedJuly 25, 2025
On Friday, July 25, 2025, Heaven opened its gates and welcomed God’s faithful servant, Rev. Shirley Eugene Morgan to his eternal home. He was 96 years old.
Shirley was born on March 3, 1929, in St. Elmo, Tennessee. He moved to Indiana in his early years and graduated from Connersville High School. Shirley was a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary and Butler University, where he received his Master of Science in Practical Theology. In 1954, he married Helen York, and they remained faithful partners in life for 65 years. They were blessed with three children, Lori (Jack) Leverton, Lt. Col. David (Christine) Morgan, and Daniel (Shannon) Morgan. Shirley and Helen had 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He pastored Methodist churches in Indiana from 1952 to 1966, including Centerville Methodist Church. In 1966 Shirley founded the Church of the Open Door in Richmond, Indiana, where he pastored for 10 ½ years. Shirley served as an associate evangelist with Rev. Tony Abram. He traveled to many countries preaching and teaching the Word of God. Besides preaching, he loved spending time with friends and family and attending Cincinnati Reds games.
Survivors include his 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, his parents Raymond and Margaret Hansen, special grandmother, Mabel Rodgers, cousin, Susie Watterson, several aunts, uncles, and extended family.
The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of Forest Park and Ambassador Healthcare for the wonderful care and compassion shown in Shirley’s final years.
Elizabeth Jean Watson Powell
ResidedFernandina Beach, FL
PassedJune 27, 2025
Elizabeth Jean Watson Powell passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, at Fellowship (Savannah Grand) of Amelia Island in Fernandina Beach, FL.
Born on June 2, 1930, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jean was the youngest of four children of the late George William (Bill) and Lucille Adams Watson. She grew up watching her mother serve faithfully as a youth counselor in their church and as Dean of Girls at their annual Bible camp, experiences that shaped Jean’s lifelong devotion to faith and service. Many young people from those years went on to become preachers, missionaries and church leaders.
Despite her mother’s warning not to marry “one of those Southern boys” when she left home to attend Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, within two years, Jean met and married James Watkins Powell, Jr., a Southern boy from Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
After James graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary, he was appointed to the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1953. From 1971 to 1976, he pastored Memorial United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach, where he played a key role in helping establish the Amelia Island Plantation Chapel.
As a devoted minister’s wife, Jean supported her husband’s ministry with grace and energy, often stepping in as church secretary, pianist, organist, choir director, youth leader, Sunday school teacher and choir member. She embraced each of these roles wholeheartedly and joyfully as they moved across Florida from one church appointment to the next.
In 1972, during their time in Fernandina Beach, Jean began a new chapter in her life as a paralegal and office manager, joining the law office of Arthur I. (Buddy) Jacobs. She worked there until 1984, then continued her legal career with the firm of Webb, Swain and O’Quinn in Jacksonville, serving as paralegal to Robert O’Quinn until her retirement in 1997. Even then, she remained active, working part-time for Nassau County Judges and the Clerk’s Office for another decade.
A lifelong learner with a curious mind, Jean embraced technology even into her 90s – joining Facebook, texting family on her cell phone and setting up WiFi on her television so she could stream Sunday sermons.
Jean’s faith remained the guiding force in her life. Her quiet strength, kindness and Christ-like spirit left a lasting imprint on her family and everyone who knew her. She will be remembered as a gracious, loving mother, grandmother and friend whose warmth and wisdom uplifted all around her. For those fortunate enough to receive a handwritten note from her, it often included her favorite verse: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” (Philippians 1:3)
Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, the Reverend James W. Powell, Jr.; her son, Timothy (Tim) H. Powell and her parents.
She leaves behind her son, Terrell J. (Terry) Powell and his wife Mary, and their children and families: James (Brandi) Powell and Jennifer (Russell) Hawkins of Fernandina Beach and Travis (Sarah) Oliver of San Diego, CA; Tim’s wife, Sue Powell, and their children and families: Elisha (Jonathan) Powell Mock and Eric Powell of Fernandina Beach and Kristin (Mark) Powell Boyette of Jacksonville, FL; her son, Todd Powell and his children and families: Michael (Michelle) Powell of Fort Stewart, GA; Amanda Powell (Michael) Paton, Jack Powell and Bridget Powell, all of Fernandina Beach; Thirteen great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Please accept my condolences. May the Lord comfort the immediate family and the Asbury family at large.
Thank you for keeping us posted on the affairs of the seminary. Blessings always.