Obituaries

Rowland Seth Buck, 61, passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. He was a presiding Elder in the Global Methodist Church and was pastoring at St. Marks Global Methodist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Peggy Buck. He is survived by his wife of 38 years Sinda Buck; sons, Caleb (Fallon) Buck, Chris Buck; grandchildren, Sauphia, Sutton, Holland; brothers, Robert Harold Buck, Jr (Leeann), Reggie (Angelica) Buck; and several nieces and nephews.

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Retired United Methodist minister, Rev. Terry R. Dunn, 82, of Choteau died on September 14, 2025, at Benefis Teton Medical Center of natural causes losing his battle with heart disease.

Terry was born on May 4, 1943, in Minneapolis, MN to Robert L. and Luella M. (Bury) Dunn. The family moved to Plentywood, MT the summer of 1943 where they spent the next ten years. Terry’s father was a minister of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and was appointed to the church in Livingston, MT in 1953. Terry spent his late elementary through most of his high school years in Livingston. His love for fishing and hunting accelerated in this beautiful environment of great stream fishing and mountain wildlife. Terry regrets the move to Billings, MT to finish his senior year of high school graduating from Billings Senior in 1961 with a class of 575 students.

Terry attended Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT. He graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree with a biology major and chemistry minor.

Terry married Susan Hopkins in 1965 and moved to Denver in order to complete graduate work in physiology at the University of Denver. In 1966, they moved to Butte, MT as a home base. During this period, Terry worked for Lederle Pharmaceutical Company as a sales representative to hospitals and physicians which required monthly travel to Los Angeles and Portland. Their first daughter, Michelle, was born while living in Butte.

In 1968, Terry moved his family to Missoula, MT in order to receive a teaching certificate from the University of Montana. In the spring of this year, their son Taylor was born. At this time, Terry’s career choice was about to take a turn. He accepted a teaching position at the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky, Appalachian coal country, where he taught high school biology and chemistry.

In 1971, the family moved to Wilmore, KY where Terry received a Master of Divinity Degree from the Asbury Theological Seminary in 1974. While completing his theological education, he also worked at a Federal Narcotics Hospital. Terry’s third child, daughter Mara, joined the family 1972.

Following graduation from seminary, Terry moved his family back to Montana where he was appointed as minister to the Troy-Libby United Methodist Churches (UMC) and served four years. Terry’s fourth child, daughter Elizabeth, joined the family in 1975.

The family of six moved to Helena in 1978 where Terry was appointed to Covenant UMC. Following a divorce in 1980, Terry moved to Nashua, MT for a brief time and worked as a guidance counselor and taught junior high math. Later that year, he moved to Dutton, MT were he was appointed to minister at Dutton and Brady UMC churches.

After two years serving Dutton and Brady churches, Terry was appointed to Choteau UMC where he served for the next four years and raised his daughter, Michelle, and son, Taylor. After his two oldest children graduated from Choteau High School, Terry took a sabbatical year 1986-1987 to travel around the world which included adventures in Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, Indonesia, India, Israel, Scotland, England, and much of mainland Europe. While preparing for his trip, Terry attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and worked with AIDS patients. In hindsight, Terry regretted taking this trip alone; not being able to share the experiences with someone.

Returning to Montana from his sabbatical, he was appointed in 1987 to serve at Van Orsdel UMC in Havre, MT. A year later, he married Lila (Lindsey) Coghill and increased his family with two stepdaughters, Kelly and Kim. For the next ten years, they served the Havre church, and Lila worked as an administrative assistant at one of the elementary schools.

While in Havre, Terry underwent open-heart surgery with seven arterial by-passes at the age of 52. This dramatically changed his lifestyle for a few years. Terry contemplated the possibility of early retirement during this time. However, he agreed to serve the Lakeside Community UMC for a two-year period from 1998-2000.

The summer of 2000, Terry and Lila moved to Choteau, MT. This was their “happy” place where there was a golf course, fishing access, mountains to roam, a familiar church family, good friends and acquaintances. A place grounded in memories for many family members.

Terry’s first retirement year was overshadowed by a diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer which included many visits to doctors, surgery, radiation and chemo therapies. Terry remained cancer free for the next 25 years.

Heart disease came knocking again in 2013 with a heart attack. Terry continued to rally and enjoyed golfing, traveling, volunteering at Bright Eyes Animal Shelter, marrying and burying, mowing lawns, and trying to win a cribbage game now and then with his wife.

In the fall of 2024, Terry suffered a stroke following carotid artery surgery. This caused a speech deficit as well as exacerbating his underlying health conditions. Terry was fortunate to remain at home despite the loss of many independences.

Terry loved to drive Cadillac cars. He could never be anonymous with the DUNNIN personalized plate. Terry also loved his hunting dogs, Fred, Barney, and Jake. His dogs blessed the passenger seat of his vehicle and church office every day.

Terry is preceded in death by his parents and an older infant brother, Robert Terry Dunn, who is buried in Bolivia, and younger brother, Fred Dunn.

Terry is survived by his wife, Lila; daughters: Michelle (Ray) Ramsey of Pipe Creek, TX; Mara (Matt) Rust of Everett, WA; Elizabeth Dunn (Josh) of Kirkland, WA; son, Dr. Taylor Dunn (Sheila) of Juneau, AK; stepdaughters: Kelly (Ryan) DeBruycker of Fairfield, MT; Kimberly Coghill of Great Falls, MT; his grandchildren: Regan Ramsey; Rowan Dunn; Zoe and Connor Rust; Ayden and Nolan DeBruycker; brothers: Rick (Jennifer) Dunn of Billings, MT; Robert (Laurel) Dunn of Billings, MT; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

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Christopher Lynn Jones, known lovingly as Chris, Dad, Papa, Pastor Chris, and Friend, passed away on September 26, 2025, in Marlborough, Massachusetts, at the age of 65. His final days were marked by a complicated illness, but he was surrounded by love, prayers, laughter, and family.

Born on September 22, 1960, in Independence, Missouri, Chris was raised in Bixby, Oklahoma. Immediately after his birth, his mother dedicated him to God, naming him Christopher, meaning “to bear Christ.” This was a name and dedication that took Chris nearly a lifetime to grow into—but one he ultimately embraced through his devotion to faith, compassion, and love for all.

Chris’s journey through life was anything but linear. He began his academic career at the University of Oklahoma before moving to Pittsburgh, where he earned an MFA in Acting from the University of Pittsburgh. It was there, in 1984, that he met Linda Simpson—his partner in life and ministry. Together, they built a family and a legacy rooted in compassion and service.

Their son, Dylan Beckett Jones, was born in 1989. In 1993, their family grew again with the birth of their second child, A. Leighton Jones.

Eventually, after years of trial, error, tribulation, and hard-earned lessons, Chris embraced the love of God. In doing so, he answered his lifelong spiritual calling by earning a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Chris’s professional life reflected his passion for helping others and sharing God’s love. He worked as an emergency clinician at CSO in Athol and served as pastor at New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Townsend. Later, he became the pastor for both the First United Methodist Church of Hudson and the First United Methodist Church of Marlborough.

Pastor Chris preached with conviction about the power of love—reminding all who listened that “Love is a verb,” and that we are called to tend the garden and embrace the Kingdom of God here and now. His favorite verse was Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” His sermons often centered on themes of transformation, grace, and our real-life superpower—the Holy Spirit.

Chris is lovingly remembered by his wife, Linda Simpson Jones; his mother, Cathryn Mary Jones; his sister, Melissa Ann Jones; his children, Dylan Beckett Jones and A. Leighton Jones; his daughter-in-law, Maggie Jones; and his cherished grandchildren, Evelyn Jones and Calvin Jones. He joins his father, Lynn Beckett Jones, in eternal rest.

Pastor Chris lived a life full of twists and turns—each one leading him closer to purpose, faith, and love. May his memory be a blessing, and may those who knew him find comfort in the legacy he leaves behind: one of laughter, devotion, transformation, and unwavering love.

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Ginny Palumbo Jupp was the beloved wife of Joel Jupp; loving mother of Caden, Emberly, and Violet Jupp; dear daughter of Joe and Jil-Ann Palumbo, and daughter-in-law of Phillip and Doreen Jupp; fond sister of Joey (Carissa) Palumbo and Dan (Mary Kate) Palumbo, and sister-in-law of Jonathan (Natalie) Jupp, and Joy (Andy) Pankratz; dear niece, cousin, aunt, and relative of many. She will be missed by her faithful canine companions Ryelyn, Barley, Murphy, and Penny.

Ginny put her faith in the Lord first in everything she did; from her artwork that always glorified God, through her testimony shared during a long battle with cancer.

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Wilma Vivian Kasten passed to her eternal reward on September 25, 2025.

Wilma was born October 27, 1925 to William and Opal (Sollman) Kasten in Lum, Michigan the oldest of three children.

She received her Associate Degree from Spring Arbor Junior College and her Bachelor Degree from Greenville College. Following graduation, she taught school at the Oakdale Christian Academy in Kentucky for 10 years. To prepare for her life’s work as a missionary she attended Kentucky Mountain Bible School for three years. Her foreign missionary work took her to Taiwan Holy Light Theological Seminary in Taiwan where she taught courses in both Mandarin and English for 30 years. During her time in Taiwan she returned to the United States and studied at Asbury Theological Seminary for 1.5 years.

During her post graduate study, she earned two Masters Degrees, one of which was while she was in Taiwan. After her retirement she moved to Midland at the invitation of Rev. Gordon and Martha Evoy, pastors of the Midland Free Methodist Church at the time. Her ministry continued in Midland as she taught Sunday school classes for both children and senior adults, and ladies Bible studies. She also participated in local Bible study groups with her Chinese friends for several years. She made several trips back to Taiwan after her retirement as well as trips to Thailand. Wilma was an Ordained Minister and an Elder in the Free Methodist Church.

A favorite activity included crocheting and knitting.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents William and Opal Kasten, and her sisters, Lois Verlee Blowers and Joyce Elaine Sanford. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

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Daniel Robert Snyder, age 83, entered into eternal rest on October 17, 2025. A devoted follower of Christ, Daniel lived a life marked by faith, service, and love. Born on February 23, 1942, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he dedicated his career to global innovation as an International Field Service Electrical Engineer for Westinghouse Corporation for over 30 years.

Daniel’s life was also marked by a deep commitment to learning and ministry. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Slippery Rock University, a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, and an Engineering degree from Pittsburgh Technical Institute.

He was deeply devoted to his church community, where he taught Sunday school and faithfully carried out pastoral duties through visiting the sick, comforting the homebound, and sharing the love of Christ with all he met.

Daniel is lovingly remembered by his brothers, Howard (Bud) Snyder and Ronald Snyder; his sister-in-law, Patricia Snyder; and his niece, Jodie Holley. He was preceded in glory by his beloved wife, Marie Kukich Snyder; his mother, Betty Bates; and his brothers, Dennis Snyder and Peter Sherman.

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Richard Elbridge Webster, Jr, a Christian, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, and loyal friend, passed away on June 15, 2024, at Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington, Texas.

Richard was born on April 17, 1952, in Aberdeen, Washington. His family lived in Portland, Oregon, then Hoquiam, Washington. At Hoquiam High School, Richard joined baseball, tennis, and swimming teams. He graduated from Evergreen High School in 1970 after moving to Vancouver, Washington with his father.

Richard carried on a military tradition after his great-grandfather who served in the Union Army, his uncle, killed in action in the Philippines, and his father, a World War II veteran. Richard joined the Air Force in 1971 and later joined the Army.

The Air Force stationed Richard in Las Vegas and Spain. In Las Vegas, a friend invited Richard to church where he heard that Jesus Christ loved him. He instantly chose to follow Him and served Christ with his whole heart for the rest of his life.

In Las Vegas, Richard married Debra McLain. They had two sons, Joshua Jon Webster in 1975 and Seth Michael Webster in 1977, both born in Spain.

Richard, separated from the Air Force in 1977 and attended Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California. There, he met John Arana, his closest friend for the next 45 years.

In 1983, Richard felt compelled to re-enter the military to see active combat. While he served in Spain, his best friend from high school, Mike Kirkham, had served in Vietnam. Richard enlisted in the Army, Mike’s branch, and became a paratrooper and combat engineer with the 307th Engineers of the 82nd Airborne.

Richard was applying to special forces when he became reacquainted by mail with a college friend, Joann Cole. He had been divorced since 1980. The two agreed to meet in Washington DC in April 1986. Without any impending military conflicts, and with a desire to remarry, Richard took an honorable discharge and married Joann on October 4, 1986. They made their home in Grapevine, Texas.

In 1989, Richard’s greatest prayer was answered when his sons moved in with them. For the next many years, Richard studied, worked in various jobs, and stayed active in ministry and counseling.

Christianity had led Richard to become a lifelong learner. He started college during his military service, and later earned an undergraduate degree with a dual-major in English Literature and Psychology, many certificates and licenses including Clinical Pastoral Counseling and Family Therapy, a Master of Arts in Clinical Christian Counseling and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Asbury.

Richard was massively loyal. He prayed over long lists of family, friends, and acquaintances. He loved to work out, was a lifelong runner and occasional triathlete. He loved everything Christian, everything military, everything masculine like motorcycles, pens, and watches, as well as studying, writing, and journaling.

In 2004, Richard and Joann moved to Satellite Beach, Florida where he volunteered in ministry while working for Starbucks. They returned to Texas in October 2022.

On July 1, 2023, a stroke left Richard physically and mentally intact, but without speech. Still, he surrounded himself with church, friends, and family. His death was a shock to all.

Richard is survived by his wife Joann, his sons and their families; Josh and Alisha Webster, Aria Aguirre, Ashton Huffine, Corbin Webster, Portia Webster; and Seth and Shamain Webster, Kiana Webster, Safia Webster, and Elijah Webster. He is also survived by his siblings, Charles and Linda (Webster) Boyd, Dave and Sandy (Webster) Fimmel, and Chuck and Karen Webster, as well as their children and partners, and their children’s children; Mark and Traci (Boyd) Knothe, Mason Knothe, Megan Knothe; Scott and Jennifer (Boyd) Mclellan, Tyler Mclellan, Hailee Mclellan; Chuck and Holly Boyd, Seth Hyatt, Brayden Boyd, Rylan Boyd; Jeffery Fimmel; Tyler and Monica Webster, Jacob Webster, Olivia Webster; Chris and Katie (Webster) McGuire, Finley McGuire, Fletcher McGuire.

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Bethanne Zimmerman Witt, 72, of Hilliard, Ohio passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on September 15, 2025. She is now living the fullness of the hope and faith she so passionately nurtured in her family and faithfully shared with countless others throughout her life of ministry and service. Her legacy is one of unwavering faith, compassion, and the quiet strength of a life lived for others.

Bethanne was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Miriam Zimmerman. She is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Greg, and her children – Rachel (Kyle), Taylor (Anna), and Jeremy (Lindi). She also leaves behind five beloved grandchildren- Luke, Avery, Hayden, Benjamin and Hattie, and one joyful expectation for 2026, Margot Beth.

Others deeply mourning her loss are her precious sister and confidant, Kathy Zimmerman Raines, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, an aunt, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Bethanne graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1971 and then studied special education at Bowling Green State University. Prior to marriage, she completed a Master’s in Religion degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. A passion for education was woven throughout her life. She began her career in school teaching, poured herself into the training of her own children, and continued to share her love for students as a home health tutor and substitute teacher in later life.

Bethanne’s passion for ministry and investing in people was unmistakable, even though she often preferred to serve behind-the-scenes. She faithfully gave her time and heart to women’s Bible studies, prayer groups, children and youth ministries, overseas mission trips, and most recently, her work with homeless women through Freedom Collective. Through encouragement heartfelt wisdom, scripture, and steadfast prayer, Bethanne poured into the lives of others in ways that left a lasting impact.

Bethanne loved to celebrate life— whether a big milestone, a small everyday joy, or unique days like Groundhog Day and the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Her creativity shone in the way she made ordinary moments feel special, she always had a craft ready for her grandchildren, and her love for sewing and baking brought joy to so many.

She also had a deep appreciation for God’s creation and its meditative beauty, whether sitting on the porch, walking through the woods, or spending quiet moments by Lake Erie. Her greatest joy was a lifelong habit of walking along or sitting by the Scioto River.

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Dr. H. Stanley York, born on April 6, 1951, in Mt. Holly, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. A devoted scholar, husband, father, and man of deep faith, Stan’s life was marked by a steadfast commitment to learning, service, and spiritual guidance.

Stan graduated from Mt. Holly High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from East Carolina University. He went on to receive a Master of Divinity from Asbury Seminary as well as a Master of Theology from Duke University, culminating in a Ph.D. from Regent University’s School of Divinity. His academic path reflected not only intellectual rigor but also a profound desire to understand and share the mysteries of faith.

Throughout his life, Stan remained deeply rooted in his spiritual convictions. He prayed daily for “God to contend aggressively for your souls,” and often reminded his children to give God the glory for all blessings. His words echoed the belief that while we are all precious in each other’s sight, we are even more so in the sight of God. A quote by Yo-Yo Ma captured his approach to life: “Each day I move toward that which I do not understand. The result is a continuous accidental learning which constantly shapes my life.”

Stan was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Valerie Allen Goode York on August 17, 2025; his parents, Betty and Harold York; and his brother Kim York. Stan and Valerie would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 4, 2025.

His legacy is with his six children: Lyndsey Durham Robbins (Mark), William Stanley York (Emily), Elizabeth “Bess” Alexander York, Catherine Noel Edwards (Ralph), Colin Montgomery York (Katherine), and Susannah Painter York. Stan was blessed with six grandchildren: Mary, Connell, Lelia, Julia, Diana, and Jane—each one a testament to the enduring love he cultivated within his family. His love extended beyond his immediate family—to his nephew Nathaniel Sigmon York (Jocelyn and their son Beckham) and niece Nicolette York Latham (Joshua and their children Mila, Cora Lee, and Cohen).

Stan lived by the words of John Wesley: “Do all the good you can, by the means you can, in all the places you can, as long as you can.”

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2 responses to “Obituaries”

1. Curt McKee says:

   November 4, 2025 at 4:18 pm

   Beth Anne and Greg Witt were dear friends at ATS. I am saddened at her passing but thankful for her powerful witness for Christ. May his nearness bring comfort to all. Curt McKee

   Reply
2. Timothy Allen says:

   November 4, 2025 at 4:21 pm

   I fondly remember Rowland Buck and Stan York from my days at ATS (Class of ’88). Both were full of live and loved to laugh and experience and spread joy. I know that the churches they served are blessed to have had them. Prayers for their families.

   Reply