Obituaries
Rev. Tom Oliver Crosby, Jr., B.Div. 1951, a retired United Methodist minister and World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, died on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at the age of ninety years, surrounded by his family. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Tom was an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow and a graduate of Baylor Military School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Master of Divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. During World War II, Tom served aboard the USS BONHOMME RICHARD, where he received his call to ministry. Tom went on to serve as a United Methodist preacher for forty years with appointments in Mississippi and Louisiana. At the time of his death, he was active in Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he was a member of the Gumbo Sunday School class. Tom was also an active member of Kairos Prison Ministry at Angola Prison for twenty years, and he served on mission teams to India, Cuba, and the Appalachian Service Project. Tom is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Wilma Dyess Crosby; his three children, including his daughter Cynthia Scofield and her husband, George Scofield, of San Antonio, Texas; daughter Cheryl Kirchoff and her husband, Robert Kirchoff, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; son Gene Crosby and his wife, Louanne Crosby, of Marietta, Georgia; and his eight grandchildren, including Crosby Scofield and his wife, Elizabeth Weaver Scofield, of Houston, Texas; Suzannah Scofield of Abilene, Texas; Harrison Scofield of Galveston, Tex as; Lee Kirchoff of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Erin Kirchoff Reid and her husband, Scott Reid, of Houston, Texas; Alice Kirchoff, of Austin, Texas; Caroline Crosby, of Athens, Georgia; and Hannah Crosby, of Marietta, Georgia. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Tom Crosby, Sr., and Letha Crosby; brother Martin Crosby; and sister Carol Crosby Rollings. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Kairos Prison Ministry, Broadmoor United Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice.
The Rev. Dr. James Elmer Kilbourne, B.Div. 1946, 96, died Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Elmer was the second born of twins on June 13, 1920, in Kawazawa, Japan. He was third-generation missionary of One Mission Society co-founded by his grandfather. Upon graduating from Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary, he served briefly, with his wife and child, in Shanghai, China, in 1946. They were evacuated to Canton in 1947, and three months later evacuated from China to Korea. He then served 40 years, primarily in Korea, planting churches and evangelizing. During the Korean War, after evacuating his family he returned to care for the refugees. Then after the war he helped with World Relief, feeding 76,000 through the churches. He also helped start 80 orphanages and 12 widows homes. Upon retiring from OMS, he continued to serve with Samaritan’s Purse, planting churches and building Bible schools and a aeminary in India and China. He did all for the Glory of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Elmer is survived by his daughter, Diane Lowry (Jim); his grandchildren, Shannon Lowry, Joy Cainion (Chris), John Waits (Jennifer) and Kelli Tinsley (Justin); eight great-grandchildren; and his twin brother, the Rev. Ernie Kilbourne (YoKo). T he family wish to express their deep gratitude for all the prayers, cards, calls and wishes of condolences. Special thanks to Tidewell Hospice for all their loving care for Elmer during his last two weeks. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to One Mission Society, 941 Fry Road, P.O. Box A, Greenwood IN 46142, for Kilbourne Educational Endowment Project 465820 to train future pastors for India.
Rev. Gary “Gus” M. Miller, M.Div. 1967, 76 of London, died at 10:11 A.M. Sunday, May 28th, 2017 at his home in London. He was born on July 20th, 1940 in Lebanon, Ohio. He was the son of Ivan R. Miller and Maxine E. Miller. Gary was a retired Methodist minister with Churches in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Ohio. An avid golfer, Gary spent his free time on the golf course at The London Country Club and National Golf Links in South Charleston. He graduated from London High School in 1958 with many accolades in football, baseball, and basketball. Gary attended Asbury College in Wilmore, KY where he received a B.A. degree in 1963. He also attended Asbury Theological Seminary, graduating in 1967. Survivors include his son, Jonathan Miller, daughter-in-law, Claire Miller, grandson Kellen Miller, granddaughter, Brooklyn Miller, all of Hermiston, Oregon. Sisters and brothers-in-law Sharon (deceased) and David Pendleton of Northville, Michigan, Brenda and Gerald Roberts of Avon Lake, and Vikki and Ron Zaremski of Powell.
Dr. Roman J. Miller, M.Div. 1968, age 86, of Kosciusko, Mississippi, died at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi on May 26, 2017. He was born December 27, 1930, to John E. and Ella Mae (Yoder) Miller in St. Joseph County, Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Una (Berens) Miller who he married on June 16, 1955, in Burnips, Michigan. Surviving are also six children Beth (John) Muehleisen, Faith (Jeff) Tillman, Mary Miller, Stephen Miller, Martha (Mike) Reyes, and Joel Miller, five grandchildren Holly Muehleisen, Faith (Muehleisen) Nichols, Sa rah (Reyes) Thomsen, Drew Tillman, Beth Tillman, and four great-grandchildren. He has one surviving brother, Delbert (Josie) Miller of New Paris, Indiana, and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, John E. and Ella Mae (Yoder) Miller, brothers Eli Miller, Sylvanus Miller, Lonnie Miller and sisters Marie (Miller) Darrenkamp, Ruby (Miller) Kull, Mary (Miller) Miller, and Lena (Miller) Fry. Dr. Miller graduated from Bethel College, Mishawaka, Indiana, with a B.A. in Bible, from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, with a Masters of Divinity, and received an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Wesley Biblical Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. With his call to serve God and his passion for people, Dr. Miller served as a minister of the gospel, Bible college professor and president, director of prayer ministries and international missions pastor with World Gospel Mission, and executive director of the Association of Independent Methodists. The family would like to acknowledge the excellent care provided by Dr. William Loper and the staff at St. Dominic’s Hospital during his recent illness. Donations may be given in memory of Dr. Miller to Gideons International, World Gospel Mission, or Williamsville Independent Methodist Church. Online condolences can be made at jordanfuneralhome.com.
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