Remembering our friends
Dora L. (Gerig) Batdorf BTh 24, BS 61 died July 3, 2000. She and her husband, the late John Batdorf, began their ministry together in 1924 in Texas, working with the late J.T. Wilson, first principal of AU. The couple also ministered in Michigan and Indiana before returning to AU in 1957. While her husband worked as a development officer for the university, she served as a housemother for Martin Hall. She received the AU Alumni of the Year Award in 1967. Her family commissioned a painting of J.T. Wilson, which was unveiled in June 1998. The portrait hangs in Decker Hall. She is survived by sons Dr. John W. Batdorf 48, Dr. Joseph T. Batdorf BA 52 and David B. Batdorf 52; daughter Elizabeth J. Royster BS 56; and 20 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be given to the John and Dora Batdorf Memorial Scholar-ship Fund at the AU School of Theology.
The Rev. Frederic Charles Pinyoun BTh 38 died April 12, 2000. He worked in the ministry for 56 years, pastoring Churches of God in Bellefontaine and Defiance, Ohio, and Pasadena, Calif. He led each church in the construction of new buildings and turned a handful of people into sizeable congregations. He spent his last 16 years as the first area administrator of southern California. During his lifetime, he worked to establish health insurance for pastors and families and struggled to create closer relationships among Black, Caucasian and Hispanic churches in southern California. He is survived by his wife, Virginia (Fansler) Pinyoun 38; two children, Harvey Pinyoun and Shirlee Caplett; and five grandchildren.
Mildred Anne Wykoff BA 49 died June 23, 1999. Before her death, she was able to attend the Church of God International Convention on the AU campus and celebrate the 50th anniversary of her college graduation with fellow classmates.
The Rev. Harry W. Heath BS 50 died April 26, 2000, at the age of 87. He was living in Versailles, Ohio, at the time of his death. An Ohio native, he served as a tech sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II in England as a radio repairman on aircraft. While attending AU, he managed the bookstore and cooked in the dining hall. After graduation, he became a Church of God pastor at Alpena, Mich., for three years. He served as a pastor at many churches in Ohio, New Mexico, Florida and most recently helped with the Piqua, Ohio, Church of God. He earned his masters degree from Wittinberg University in Springfield in 1961. He was a school teacher and guidance counselor at high schools in Alpena; Springfield, Ohio; and Las Cruces, N.M. He also served as mayor of Catawba, Ohio, for nine years and ran for the House of Representatives in New Mexico. He was a member of Promise Keepers and marched with them in Washington, D.C., in 1998. Survivors include his wife, Ferne C. (Holton) Heath, whom he married Oct. 23, 1934; five daughters, Cynthia Snyder AA 91, BA 93, Sally Coomer 62, Angela Haltiner, Susan Roberts, and Sara Martinez; one son, Timothy Heath; 13 grandchildren, Laura Clymer, Tom Taylor, Tony Taylor BA 92, Rick Taylor, Billy Coomer, Jon Coomer, Carrie Coomer, Heidi Haltiner, Scot Haltiner, Alisha Roberts, Meghan Martinez, Calli Martinez and Christopher Heath; four great-grandchildren, Xanthe Atchison, Alexa Clymer, Sloan Clymer and William Coomer; one sister, Grace Aldridge; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held April 28 in Springfield, officiated by the Rev. Michael Milthaler from Piqua (Ohio) Church of God.
Harry Howell 50 died July 10, 2000, in Anderson, Ind. He was retired from Container Corporation, where he worked for 25 years. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Martha; a daughter, Ernesteen Scherer BA 68; and three grandchildren.
Betty Louise Starr 52 died April 26, 2000, at her home in Greenwood, Ind. She battled stomach cancer for more than a year. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Ralph M. Starr BTh 47, who died Aug. 30, 1987. She is survived by her mother, Ruby L. Porter 27; a brother, Donald L. Porter 47; four children, Charlie Starr, Kevin Starr, Brenda Barnes 79 and Linda Minnix 80; and 12 grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be sent to OMS International in Greenwood, Ind. She held a position there in the intercessary prayer department. She prayed with people over the phone and sent out prayer requests from the missionaries. She retired in 1998 to care for her mother.
Melvyn Hester BA 61 died July 4, 2000, after battling cancer. Senior pastor of Bronx-Westchester Community Church in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., he returned to the AU campus in May to give the address at the baccalaureate service. During commencement exercises, he received an honorary doctorate of divinity from AU. Survivors include his wife, Dr. Laura Pires-Hester.
Martha Lee (Phillips) Germany 65 died suddenly Easter Sunday, April 23, 2000, of thrombosis of the coronary artery. She was 55. She was the owner and operator of Trinkets and a Web site design company in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Richard G. Vilhauer BA 65 died May 28, 2000. He had worked as a computer systems analyst at AU since 1993. Prior to returning to AU, he taught math and headed the computer technology program for Richmond Community Schools, Richmond, Ind. Survivors include his wife, Peggy; one son, Brian Vilhauer; one daughter, Richanne Vilhauer; step-children, Tammy DeBolt, Melissa (Wasson) Klabunde AA 94, BA 98, Wynde Wasson, Jennifer Wasson 95 and Matthew Wasson; a sister, Sue Vilhauer; and six grandchildren.
Roxine (Vorse) Davison BS 66 died July 14, 2000. She was a retired elementary teacher and lived in Sioux City, Iowa. She is survived by her son, Stephen Davison; a granddaughter, Patricia Davison; and a brother, Robert Vorse.
Gregory Derr 71 died July 30, 2000, at his home in Anderson, Ind. He retired from the Anderson Police Department in 1994 after 23 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Stephanie Derr; his mother, Marabelle Derr; a sister, Jody Lee; a stepdaughter, Jennifer Thompson; and a stepson, Sean Wehner.
David H. Burdess BA 77 died unexpectedly July 18, 2000. He was the general manager of Perkins Restaurant and Bakery in Anderson, Ind., and was attending Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Survivors include his children, Lucas Burdess and AU student Dusti Burdess, and foster daughter, AU student Candice Thompson; his mother, Gertrude Burdess; and two brothers, William and Mark Burdess.
Pearl Lewis Stafford died June 3, 2000, in Sikeston, Mo. Mrs. Stafford was born in Alabama and lived in Tennessee before moving permanently to Missouri. There she met and married O.C. Lewis. They moved to Sikeston and established the Tanner Street Church of God. The church began by meeting in individual homes until a building was constructed two years later. Mrs. Stafford was active in Tanner Street Church of God for more than 50 years as a choir member, Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader and director of vacation Bible school. She also served in the Womens Auxiliary for the local hospital. She and her late husband were also supporters of AU. In October 1962, the O.C. Lewis Gymnasium was dedicated on campus in his honor. In 1985 their children honored both parents by establishing the O.C. and Pearl Lewis Endowed Scholarship Fund. Survivors include her husband, Lester Stafford; three children, Dr. David Lewis BA 67 and former AU history professor, Don Lewis BA 67 and Marilyn (Lewis) Moll 58; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
