Obituaries

Rev. John Edward Boyle, 93, of Lindsborg, KS, peacefully passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Pleasant View Home, Inman.

John was born on November 14, 1932, in Vivian, South Dakota, the son of Everett Francis and Pauline (DuVall) Boyle.  He graduated from Wessington Springs (South Dakota) High School in 1952, and from 1952 to 1954, attended Wessington Springs College, later graduating from Greenville College (Illinois) in 1957.  He then graduated with a Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.

On July 21, 1956, John was united in marriage to Bonnie Josephine Young in Glenville, Minnesota.  This union was blessed with three sons, Joseph, Jay, and Jack.  John and Bonnie were married for 64 years prior to Bonnie’s passing on April 12, 2021.

Rev. John Boyle served as a Methodist pastor for 45 years, retiring in 1997.  He pastored several United Methodist churches in the state from 1982 until he retired. He was a member of the McPherson Free Methodist Church.  While living in Lindsborg, he was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He enjoyed singing in the church choirs.

He is survived by sons, Jay Boyle (Marta) and Jack Boyle (Jean); daughter-in-law, Susan Boyle; a sister, Hazel Styles; two grandchildren, Dustin Boyle (Liz) and Johnathan Boyle; three great-grandchildren, Clara Boyle, Walker Boyle, and Kelty Boyle; and many extended relatives and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Joseph Edward Boyle; and brothers, William “Bill”, Robert, Harold, and Howard Boyle.

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Willard Wayne Frost, 93, of Greenville, Illinois, died peacefully on January 16, 2026, at Greenville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by his family.

Willard was born in Scottsville, Kentucky, on December 11, 1932, to Hubert Warren & Opal Marie (Wygal) Frost. He grew up in Scottsville, KY, where he loved spending time on his grandparents’ farm. He graduated from Allen County High School, Class of 1950. Willard began preaching as a teenage boy and sang in a traveling mixed quartet. On May 16, 1952, Willard married Hazel Pauline Loafman. He attended Trevecca Nazarene College (Nashville, TN), graduated from Greenville College – Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Class of 1955 (Greenville, IL), graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary – Master of Divinity, Class of 1960 (Wilmore, KY), and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Emmanual Bible Institute in 1976 (Nashville, TN).

Dr. Frost served his Lord and Savior as a minister of the Free Methodist Church beginning in 1951. During his lifelong calling to the ministry, he pastored Free Methodist congregations of Cassidy & Mt. Zion in Warren County, KY; Smyrna, TN; Bingham and Flat Rock, IL; Irving, KY; Nashville, TN; Bowling Green, KY; and the Illinois communities of Taylorville, Shelbyville, Normal, Springfield, Vandalia, and Salem. Upon retirement in 1997, Willard and Hazel moved to Greenville, IL, where they attended the Greenville Free Methodist Church, and Willard was Assistant to the Superintendent of the Gateway Conference of the Free Methodist Church. He was a preaching pastor for several rural churches, most notably Woodside Community Church.

Throughout his career, Willard served on numerous boards but was most honored to serve many years on the boards of Oakdale Christian Academy (Jackson, KY) and Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems (ILCAAAP, Springfield, IL). Willard served as Official Photographer for the Free Methodist Church General Conference. Willard loved spending time on his computer and was an avid photographer who enjoyed taking pictures of nature.

Willard was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Clyde Eugene Frost. He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Hazel Pauline (Loafman) Frost, their three children and their spouses: David Frost (Mary Jane) of Charleston, IL, Phillip Frost (Violet) of Baton Rouge, LA, and Martha (Marty) Beans (Richard) of Greenville, IL, and eight grandchildren: Sarah Forbes (David) of Marshall, IL, Emily (Emma) Radosevich (Joseph) of Manchester, IL, Brooke Frost of Baton Rouge, LA, Adam Frost of Houston, TX, Owen Beans (Ally) of Dallas, TX, Oliver Beans (Emily) of Youngstown, OH, Hollyn Beans (Alex Freeman) of New York City, NY, and Noelle Beans of New York City, NY. He also leaves 10 great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Micah, Jakob, Sophie, Oskar, Ivy Jo, and Marilla Radosevich, and Simon, Vivian, and Martin Beans, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

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In the early morning of December 26, 2025 Brother Jeff Graham won his final battle and joined our Lord in eternity.

Brother Graham’s life mission was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to live Christ’s values as a pastor, a husband, a father, and a friend.

Born Jeffrey Shane Graham on July 28th of 1954 at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, the son of Joe Graham and Geraldine (Anderson) Graham. From there, he attended Taylorsville High School before moving on to Western Kentucky University. He finished his formal education with a master’s degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.

For over forty years, Brother Graham lived a life of Christian faith, serving as the minister for several Methodist churches, including his first parish in Monticello, Kentucky and his final one in Providence, Kentucky.

His role in the Methodist Church took him many places, but at every stage of his journey he touched the lives of not only his flock but the broader community as well. He took an active role with the Boy Scouts of America, Camp Loucon, the Providence Food Bank, and The United Methodist Committee on Relief. Brother Graham also performed civic duties, such as Dixon City Commissioner, membership on the Dixon Park Board, and was a Kentucky Colonel. Finally, Brother Graham also advocated for children by serving as Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children.

In his spare time, he loved hunting, fishing, reading, tinkering, and spending time with his family. Most of all, Brother Graham lived the life laid out for him by Christ: a servant leader who put others’ needs at the top of his priorities.

He is survived  by Lynda Graham, his wife of 47 years, daughter Jessica (Graham) Golias and her husband Rob, his son Joshua and his wife Beth, son Justin, grandchildren, Macy, Ruby, and Knox, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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Jim Harriff of Manlius passed away on December 14th, after a determined 2½-year battle with cancer, maintaining a positive attitude and a love of life every moment of that journey.

The son of Rev. Robert and Jane Harriff of Rochester, New York, Jim graduated from Brighton High School and Roberts Wesleyan University, where he remained an active supporter and alumnus, and earned his Master of Divinity from Asbury Seminary in Kentucky. Before his professional career, Jim’s experience with Cross Counter Ministries in Newark, New Jersey had a deeply profound effect on his life. Jim served as pastor for several churches, most recently the First Baptist Church of New Hartford, which hosted a celebration of his 30 years of ordained ministry this fall. He served as Treasurer for the American Baptist Churches of New York State for 14 years and shared his love of music as a member of The Barnstormers and The Master’s Touch Chorale, singing at the White House on three occasions. Jim and his wife, Rev. Suzi Harriff, shared their music ministry at the Syracuse Nationals, coffeehouses, and many churches, especially treasuring their many years at Otter Lake Community Church. They traveled regularly to Rwanda, where they were privileged to partner with several ministry organizations.

For 45 years, Jim was also a Realtor specializing in residential and bank-owned properties with William-Alan Real Estate, then RE/MAX, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and later with Jim Harriff Realty. He served as a Director and President of the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors and was recognized as GSAR Realtor of the Year. Jim also founded the Central New York chapter of the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS), serving as its first President and later being named CRS of the Year. Unwilling to fully retire, Jim continued to consult on church closures and property sales, and completed his drone pilot certification, providing photos to clients, churches, family, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents and youngest brother, Mark.

Remembering him with love are his wife Suzi, son Michael, beloved cat Murakoze, siblings Jack (Carole) Harriff, Martha (Dale) Mack, David (Gaila) Harriff, and numerous wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members, along with many good friends, colleagues, and partners in ministry.

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Ray Lanham passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday morning, July 31, the 130th anniversary of his father’s birthday.

Born in Nainital, UK India to Methodist missionary parents Daisy Belle and John Wesley Lanham, Ray spent much of his youth in India with his parents, brother Charles, and sister Lucy. The family returned to the U.S. on furlough, then returned to India until John Wesley “Tuffy” Lanham became ill and subsequently passed away after returning to the States. The family moved to Wilmore, KY where the Lanham children attended Wilmore High School. Charles and Ray went on to attend Asbury College and Seminary to become ordained ministers.

Ray followed his brother Charles into the Army Air Corps during World War II and was within a few weeks of getting his flight-engineer wings in a B-29 Superfortress when the war began to wind down. Rather than stay in the Army, he opted to return to college and pursue his calling as a minister and a missionary to India. Ray sang in a quartet in college which traveled all over the Midwest singing in churches, tent revivals and other religious festivals. Two remaining members of that quartet – Jack Stowell who lives Portland, OR and Ted Smith who lives in Columbus, OH — stayed in touch with Ray throughout his life.

In college Ray met Joann Maybee Haines and they were married in June of 1948 in Greentown, IN. Following seminary graduation in 1951, Ray and Jo went to the Missionary School in Hartford, CT before serving in southern Chhattisgarh State in central India. They served as missionaries for four years and both sons, Michael and Bob, were born there. After a 2-year furlough to Ohio and Indiana the family went back to the mission field in the Philippines. While there, Ray returned to his love of flying that developed while serving in the Air Corps. He used small airplanes to reach remote village churches that he served in his mission work.

The family returned to the States in 1963, and Ray took additional flight training to earn his Commercial, Instrument, Instructor and Air Transport certifications. He taught both his sons to fly and each soloed while still in high school. Ray pursued his pastoral training to become a hospital chaplain receiving his Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling from Butler University in Indianapolis in 1969. He served as an associate chaplain at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis from 1964 to 1970.

In 1970 Ray took a position with the New Hope Foundation offering long-term care services through a specialized insurance and annuity program for parents of disabled children. Ray served as the executive director of New Hope for 4 years. During this time, Ray and Jo went their separate ways. Ray and Rose subsequently met through work and they were married in 1977. With this union, Rose brought her three children into the family; Doug, Steve, and Linda.

In 1977 Ray accepted a position as the head of the chaplaincy department for the Toledo Hospital in Ohio. Ray worked with the hospital and the community to develop one of the early Hospice programs and an active multi-denominational chaplaincy service that served that large community hospital.

In 1990 Ray and Rose retired and moved to Garland, TX to be nearer family (especially grandchildren). Shortly after moving, they left for a 3-month mission trip to the Punjab region of India. Ray provided chaplaincy training services at the Christian Medical College & Hospital in Ludhiana helping set up ministerial programs to serve Sikh, Hindu, Christian and Muslim patients in the hospital setting.

When they returned, Ray and Rose settled into their new life and became active members of the Lydia Mood Sunday school class at First United Methodist Church in Garland and Ray joined the Sanctuary Choir. Ray and Rose lived in their home in Garland until the fall of 2013 when they moved to a Brookdale retirement community in Garland. That October Ray suffered a stroke and subsequently was rehabilitated, moving later to a Brookdale facility in Dallas to be closer to the family.

Throughout his adult life, Ray was an avid bowler and lived for his twice-a-week bowling leagues and kept very detailed records of his bowling scores hoping to improve his lifetime 149-average. He finally stopped bowling at the age of 91. Ray loved football, basketball, ice cream, India, and speaking Hindi. He lived in the moment, trusting God to provide for him and his family (and the Lord did). He was gifted at lifting up prayers and was often asked to pray at family and other gatherings. He showed many people their path to salvation through knowing Jesus Christ and his caring example of how to love people.

Ray presided over the marriage ceremonies of his children and many of his grandchildren. He also baptized his children, many grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

The family has been blessed by this wonderful man of God, supportive husband, loving father and step-father, doting grandfather, avid pilot and bowler. May the Lord bless and keep him by His side forever.

Ray is survived by his wife, Rose; his sister, Lucy; five children: Michael (Joan), Bob (Leigh), Doug, Steve, Linda (Brent); daughter-in-law, Jan Burress; six grandchildren: Michele (Raphael), Nathan (Jennifer), Emily (Jonathan), Whitney (Jason), Ryan, Lauren; and six great grandchildren: Mary Clare, Hannah, Catherine, Matthew, Gabriel, Patrick.

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Pat McKenzie, 72, of Indianapolis, IN passed away at his residence on December 22, 2025. He was born on October 23, 1953 in Columbus, OH, son of the late Robert and Edith “Jackie” McKenzie. Pat was married to Daniese O’Neal McKenzie who survives him. Pat and Daniese were looking forward to celebrating 45 Years of loving marriage on December 27, 2025.

Pat graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Ohio State University in 1977 and went on to obtain a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1980. He joined the Evangelical Orthodox Church and was a faithful servant to that ministry until his death, serving as deacon, priest, parish council member, and Sunday School teacher at Holy Trinity and St. Paul the Apostle Evangelical Orthodox Church in Indianapolis. The following year, in 1981, he began his lifelong career in the commercial parts sales industry, working for Gary Allen at Commercial Parts & Services and continued working in that space for 40 years, ending his career as it started, working for the Allen family at Vanco Commercial until his retirement in 2021. In his spare time, Pat enjoyed gardening, hiking the Hocking Hills, learning about history, and chewing the collar of his t-shirts off during OSU games.

Pat is survived by three sons, Stephen McKenzie (Monica Taboada), John McKenzie, and Nathanael McKenzie (Elizabeth Alar); one daughter Marianne McKenzie (Michael Timbs); one granddaughter Penny Zito-Taboada; one brother Steve McKenzie (Frank Patrick) of Chicago, Illinois; two sisters, Judy White (Ron) of Littleton, Colorado and Sharon McKenzie of Erlanger, Kentucky, and several nieces and nephews.

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The Reverend Herbert Richard Osborne, widower of Frances Rice Osborne, died at his home with his sons in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 10, 2026, following a short illness.

Herb was born on February 22, 1939, in Russell, Kentucky, located in Greenup County, to the late Harry Millard Osborne, Sr. and Carrie Permelia Hensley Osborne. Herb spent most of his early years in Flatwoods, Kentucky. He was an eighth-generation Kentuckian whose ancestors crossed the Cumberland Gap with Daniel Boone, settling in the Greenup County area in the 1820s.

Herb graduated from Russell High School in 1957. He then attended both Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky and Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964.

Herb then enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he was awarded a Master of Divinity degree in 1968. More importantly, he met Fran at Asbury, fell in love and started a family with her.

Herb pastored several United Methodist Churches throughout rural Kentucky, including Gunns Chapel in Lancaster, Burnside United Methodist Church in Burnside, Sardis United Methodist Church in Somerset, Claylick United Methodist Church in Lawrenceburg and Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Covington. Herb also acted as the Director of the Calaski Fellowship in Somerset.

Herb and Fran moved to Lexington, Kentucky with their two sons, David and Brian, in 1976. They made many friends in Lexington, hosting weekly small group prayer meetings in their home, playing the piano and singing, enjoying meals and fellowship with many. Herb greatly enjoyed playing along with Jeopardy and watching old westerns with Fran and his sons throughout his life.

Herb ministered to many people in many capacities in Lexington and surrounding areas over the last half-century, most notably serving 18 years at St. Joseph Hospital as a Chaplain and later Director of Chaplaincy Services. Herb then served an additional four years as a Chaplain in the Hospice Care Center at St. Joseph. Herb presided over numerous weddings and funerals even after retirement and was always ready to provide pastoral counseling to all who needed it, up into his final days.

Herb is survived by his sons, David S. Osborne (Amy) of Cosby, Tennessee and Brian H. Osborne of Lexington, Kentucky. Surviving siblings are Brenda Loyer of Russell, Kentucky and James R. Osborne (Nancy) of Flatwoods, Kentucky.

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David Lee Scott was born on September 3, 1957 to Ralph and Jeanine (Tate) Scott in Wichita, Kansas.

He departed this life on January 11, 2026 after many years of fighting cancer.  David was united in marriage to Lori Burrell Scott on 7/5/1980. Their two children are Christa Rieger and Craig Scott.

David was a graduate of Central High School, Drury University and UMKC School of Pharmacy. He was employed as a pharmacist for five years in the KC area. In 1985, he moved to Warsaw, Missouri and was an assistant store manager for an independent pharmacy.  He would later open his own business, Scott’s Family Pharmacy in Lincoln, Mo and served that area from 1988-2004. During this time David was highly active in forming the Benton County Gideons, Optimist Club of Warsaw, Habitat for Humanity (responsible for raising funds to build homes), Crisis Pregnancy Center Board and two Benton County Hospices. David was a member of First Methodist Church in Warsaw where he taught Sunday School, participated in the Chancel Choir and served in many capacities. In 1999, David received and accepted a call into full-time ministry. He operated his business and enrolled in Asbury Theological seminary where he received his Master’s of Divinity. He sold his business and entered full time ministry with the United Methodist Church in 2004.

As a full-time Pastor for nineteen years, he served these churches in Missouri: St. Paul’s UMC of Thayer, Alton UMC of Alton, First Methodist UMC-Lebanon, Arch UMC, Hannibal, and St. Luke’s UMC, St. Louis. While in ministry he helped to form two food pantries in Oregon County and L-Life Food Bank in Laclede County. He served on the Board of Ordained Ministry for 12 years and was the Dean of Mentors for new ministry candidates with the Missouri Conference of the UMC. At each church he served; his leadership was evident with improved church facilities and community outreach. Because of David’s influence and volunteer time to the many organizations mentioned above, David was given the outstanding Alumni Award for Volunteer service from Drury University in 2011.

David was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed playing tennis, golf, and basketball. His favorite team was the Drury Women Panthers. He also enjoyed singing and was a member of the Mark Twain Chorale while living in Hannibal, the Good News Singers in KC and the Schweitzer Church Chancel Choir. He also participated in every church choir where he served as pastor.

David is survived by his Wife-Lori, Daughter-Christa Rieger and her husband Kevin of Atchison, Ks. Son-Craig Scott and wife Megan of Morrisville, Sister Alice Scott and Don Leveque Springfield, brother-Dan Scott and wife Melissa-Springfield, Five grandchildren-Rebekah, Gideon, Bethany, Brier and Barrett and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

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It is with a heavy heart but a joyful spirit that our family announces the passing of Eiko Kurata Tashiro, age 90, most recently of Nicholasville, KY. She was born on April 10, 1935 in Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan, the daughter of Inetaro and Kimiyo Kurata.

Eiko met the love of her earthly life, her partner in ministry and her husband in Yukio “Paul” Tashiro at a church youth meeting. They were married and emigrated from Japan to America in 1969, settling in Chamblee, Georgia, with their son, Charles. Here, Paul studied theology at Oglethorpe University.

Eiko stepped off the tarmac with her family and onto the continent not knowing a word of English. Fearless and determined, she began to learn the language whilst caring for children and being a house cleaner.

Paul’s studies took the family from Chamblee to school at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Eiko attended Asbury as well for a brief time. She quickly mastered English and instead turned her focus to teaching language and culture to Japanese exchange students, for which she trained through Cornell University.

The Tashiros were dispatched from Wilmore to Independence, Kentucky and spent many years serving and growing the congregation of Staffordsburg United Methodist Church.

They were once again called to a different region of the USA and re-located to Jackson, Mississippi to Briarwood United Methodist. There, Eiko continued her work as a teacher, instructing young people at Millsaps College and St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. She also served on the board of the Japan-America Society of Mississippi. For her tremendous efforts and success, she shared an award with Paul: The Order Of The Rising Sun, Gold And Silver Rays by His Majesty The Emperor Akihito of Japan in 2003.

In the mid-2000s, Paul and Eiko made one final migration. From Mississippi, they returned to Kentucky, this time to Nicholasville. Here, Paul pastored nareby at The Lexington International Japanese Church; a Japanese language speaking church. One of the kindest and most outgoing souls anyone can claim to know, Eiko was exceedingly generous with her knowledge and her time. She remains a beatific vision held in our hearts, compelling our hands to serve others always.

A beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, Eiko is survived by her husband Paul Y. Tashiro; her son Naomu Charles Tashiro (Kelley); sister Kyoko Kurata; as well as brother Tetsuo Kurata. Special friends, such as the Kemper Family, her students and her many church families will also miss her immeasurably. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Miyako Kurata and Sachiko Kurata.

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