Remembering our friends

­­Robert Allan Cantrell ’42 died Aug. 12, 2009, in Hillsboro, Ore. While in college, World War II began and he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Before long he was training to be a pilot. His cousin, Ruthe Hampton, introduced him to her friend, Bonnie Lula Carter, who had most recently graduated from high school in Goodwell, Okla. After a very short courtship, Bonnie traveled by train to Columbia, S.C., where they were married on June 9, 1944. After their wedding, Robert left for active duty and was stationed in India, where he piloted B-25 Bombers. When Robert returned home from the war, he purchased a country grocery store in Hickock, Kan. In 1952, he was called into ministry, and he pastored churches in Hill City, Kan.; Boise, Idaho; and Reedsport, Ore. He also worked as the senior adult pastor at Rockwood Church of God and Richmond Community Church. Together, Robert and Bonnie were in ministry for 50 years. Robert was a chaplain in the Portland hospitals and led substance abuse classes. In the past few years, Bob and Bonnie attended the Aloha Church of God. Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years. He is survived by four children, Robyn Heerlein, Dana Kruse, R. Greg Cantrell, and Marva Adams; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Laura Eileen Cantrell and Dorothy Jean Jones; and many nieces and nephews. 

Robert Ellis McDonald BA ’43 died Aug. 12, 2009, in Ridgeland, Miss. Robert was a veteran of World War II, serving as an officer of the Army Air Forces Photographic Intelligence and Allied Central Interpretation Unit in England from 1944 to 1945. He was the assistant chief for the Intelligence Library at the United States Air Force Headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, from 1945 to 1946. After his service in the military, Robert continued his professional career as a professor of history and later served as the director for the Florida State University program at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Robert is survived by his wife, Lydia Hansen McDonald BA ’49; and nieces Debbie Swords and Donna McDonald.

Lois Irene Baird ’44 died June 9, 2009. Retired from Mt. Carmel Hospital, she was a member of Clintonville Womens Club and a founding member of Meadow Park Church of God in Ohio. She is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Baird, and brother, Arthur Richards. She is survived by nieces Suzanne Johnston and Twanda Ross; nephews Edward Richards, Gene Richards, John Baird, and Thomas Baird; longtime friend and caregiver Helen Gibson; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Wilma R. Hurst BA ’46 died June 17, 2009, in Eureka, Ill. She married Robert R. Hurst BS ’48 on Dec. 8, 1945, in Chester, Pa. He survives. She earned her master’s degree in library science at Rosary College in River Forest, Ill. She worked for the Santa Fe Railroad offices in Topeka, Kan., and as a secretary at Anderson University and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. For many years, she lived in Evanston, Ill., where she attended Winnetka Bible Church. She last attended Liberty Bible Church in Eureka, Ill., after moving to Eureka with her husband in 1994. Also surviving are a daughter, Dr. Jane Velez; two brothers, Louis Reeder and William Reeder; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a  son, Richard.

George A. Freed BA ’61 of Emlenton, Pa., died June 16, 2009. He married Mary Louise Bargerstock ’59 on December 27, 1958. The couple recently celebrated 50 years of marriage with a family cruise to the Caribbean. George’s degree was in English and history. He was employed by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in New Castle as a supervisor where he retired in 1994 after 30 years of service. He was a self-employed electrician for 55 years. He served in ministry to the First Church of God as minister of worship. He loved to play the piano and keyboard for church. He served on several church boards and was a trustee. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, the Rev. Trenton Freed BA ’85, MRE ’89 and Barry Dean Freed ’82; a daughter, Cami Rae Schaubroeck BA ’89; and two brothers, Harold T. Freed ’52 and Arthur L. Freed. He was the beloved grandfather of seven grandchildren.

The Rev. Ralph W. Anderson BA ’62, MDiv ’66 died July 25, 2009, in Anderson, Ind. He served the Church of God with pastorates in Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and Indiana. He was the pastor at Mount Pleasant Community Church when he passed away. He had also been a greeter with Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service for the past eight years. He was a member of Mounds Kiwanis Club and had served in various capacities and committees within the Church of God. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Marie (Williamson) Anderson, whom he married Jan. 5, 1958; four children, Wanda Anderson AA ’82, BA ’82, Greg Anderson BA ’82, Angela Brooks ’81, and Christina Pease; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, Madeline and Aiden; and three brothers, Lloyd Anderson, Jerry Anderson, and Edwin George Anderson.

Joyce Guyer BS ’62 died June 24, 2009, after a long and brave battle with cancer. Joyce taught in the Baldwin Park School District for 27 years. She was active in the Baldwin Park Women’s Club and a longtime volunteer with Love I.N.C. Her favorite and longest commitment was to her church, Inter-Community Church of God in Covina, where she was organist and pianist. Surviving are her husband of nearly 47 years, David S. Guyer; daughters Pamela and Jill; sons, William and Neal; and four grandchildren.

Thomas Alan Highley ’71 died June 2, 2009. Tom grew up in Huber Heights, Ohio, attending Huber Heights Church of God and graduating from Wayne High School. Upon graduation, he attended Anderson University from 1969-1971. He enlisted in the army in 1971. He served during the Vietnam War era from 1971-1973 and was honorably discharged. At that time, he returned to college to complete his Bachelor of Science in industrial education from Miami University in 1975. He later earned a Master of Education in school administration from Miami University in 1977 as well as a Master of Science in school counseling from the University of Dayton in 1995. Tom served the Edgewood City School system for 30 years before retiring in 2005. He taught both high school and later middle school students in areas of industrial education, driver’s education, and career education, and was significantly involved in the theatre department with set design and construction. He attended Breiel Boulevard Church of God in Middletown, Ohio. Tom is survived by his wife, Reda Highley; daughter Stephanie Simpson; son Wesley Highley; father Archie Highley; brother Tim Highley; sister Tam Highley; mother-in-law Delores Treadway; grandmother Edith Hacker; and grandchildren Caroline, Lydia, and Ian Simpson. Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Joann (Strausbaugh) Highley and brother, Terry Highley.

Wilbur S. Roby died Aug. 14, 2009. He graduated from Anderson High School in 1935 and the University of Wisconsin School of Banking in 1955. Anderson University granted him an honorary Doctor of Law in 1977. Wilbur's career with the Anderson Banking Company spanned a half century. He began as a bookkeeper in 1936 and over the years, under the tutelage of Linfield Myers and Sheldon Cooper, retired as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Beginning in 1959, Wilbur became a member of Saint John’s Hospital’s newly formed Lay Advisory Board. His volunteer hospital work was one of his great passions as he went on to serve the hospital’s Board of Trustees for more than 40 years. The Sisters of the Holy Cross honored his service by granting him honorary status as a Sister of their order and bestowing upon him their National Leadership Sister Augusta Award. Saint John’s Health System further acknowledged his contributions to their mission by dedicating the Wilbur S. Roby Medical Office Building to him. They further commissioned a bronze bust, created by Ken Ryden, of both him and his wife, Lillian, in their honor. In addition to his wife, he is survived by children Camille Roudebush, Philip Roby, and Claudia Crawford, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Peggy Jo Thrasher BA ’81 died June 8, 2009. Peggy worked for the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission in the women’s shelter. The women there greatly appreciated her unconditional love. Peggy enjoyed arts and crafts and used those gifts to volunteer at Warner Camp. In addition to working with young kids, she was instrumental in developing a nature center at Warner Camp. Peggy was an active member of Westwood Church of God, where she also used her talents to create banners and backdrops for special programs. No one was a stranger to Peggy. She used every opportunity possible to share God’s love with each person she had contact with. Peggy is survived by two children, Skye and Kyla; her parents, Joseph and Frieda Thrasher; a brother, Joseph Thrasher; a sister, Diana Deitrich; nieces and nephews; two step-children, Joe and Lindsay Green; and many good friends.

Eric Lee Clem BA ’87 of Markleville, Ind., died Aug. 8, 2009. Survivors include his mother, Dixie Clem; two brothers, Jason Clem and Colby T. Clem; a niece and two nephews; and paternal grandmother, Frances Clem.

Rebecca Janelle (Myers) Hollenbaugh BSN ’96 died Aug. 14, 2009. She earned a master’s degree in nursing from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne. On Oct. 19, 2001, she married Jade M. Hollenbaugh. A registered nurse, she worked for four years at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne and five years at a doctor’s office in South Whitley, Ind. Since 2004, she worked as a nurse practitioner in Columbia City. She was a member of South Whitley United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband; daughter Lauren Hollenbaugh; son Jackson Hollenbaugh; twin sister Rachel Bowers; brother Kyle Myers; and parents Steven and Vicky Myers.

The Rev. John L. Hatchel, former Anderson University development officer, died June 28, 2009, in Anderson, Ind., at the age of 90. John was a Church of God minister, holding pastorates in Ohio, Missouri, and Oklahoma for 33 years. He then worked for the Board of Church Extension and Home Missions for 11 years and, following that, Anderson University. He attended Southeast Missouri State University and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Gulf Coast Bible College. He was a member of East Side Church of God in Anderson. Survivors include a son, Charles A. Hatchel ’68; daughter, Brenda K. Maurer BA ’72; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Sylvia L. Hatchel, who died July 19, 2002.

Lucile Willowby, a former English professor at Anderson University, died in Oklahoma City on June 13, 2009, at the age of 90. Lucile earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University. She taught English grammar and literature at high schools in Oklahoma. She taught English composition for 14 years at AU.  While at Anderson, she earned a master’s degree from Butler University and later did doctoral studies at Oklahoma University. Lucile is survived by a sister, Betty Crabtree, and a brother, Donald Willowby.