Remembering our friends

The Rev. Norman E. Atkins Sr. BA '56 died Jan. 27, 2002. He lived in Venice Beach, Fla. After earning his bachelor's degree, he studied at the School of Theology for two years. He began pastoring in Delaware, Ohio, in 1958 and was ordained in 1967. He also pastored Churches of God in Port Clinton, Ohio; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Temple Hills, Maryland. From 1970 to 1982 he served as an interim pastor where needed. He retired in 1992 and moved to South Florida. His wife, Miriam "Millie" R. Atkins, preceded him in death in 1994. He is survived by his wife, Eula Atkins; three children, Becky Scott, Terri Franklin and Norman E. Atkins Jr. '69; and six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Marie Sperry Clemens BTh '34 died Jan. 28, 2002, in Huntsville, Ala. At her side were her daughter, Betty Clemens BS '57, and her sons, Byron Clemens BA '63, MDiv '68 and Frederick Clemens BA '68, MDiv '72. Marie was the widow of Oral W. Clemens BTh '34. Burial was in Huntsville.

Timothy Giffin BA '80 died unexpectedly Feb. 7, 2002. He was a chemistry teacher and adviser for the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Van Wert (Ohio) High School and head coach for the Van Wert Middle School girls cross country team and boys and girls track and field teams. He was a member of Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert. Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Katherine E. Rigsbee BA '81; two daughters, Rachel and Sarah Giffin; one son, Daniel Giffin; and his parents, Philip and Elmeda (Schubert) Giffin. Friends may write his family at 12301 Dustman Rd., Van Wert, OH 45891.

Judy McFarling McKennett BA '75 was killed in an automobile accident Feb. 18, 2002. Also killed in the accident were her husband, Rich McKennett, and two of their three children, 15-year-old Michael and 11-year-old Megan. Their daughter Lindsey, 17, survived the crash with a broken collarbone. The family was driving home to Northville, Mich., from a Florida vacation when the accident occurred. Judy was a social worker for Michigan's day-care licensing agency. Rich was a forensic security supervisor at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ann Arbor. Besides her daughter, Judy is survived by her parents, the Rev. Robert McFarling BA '46, BTh '47 and Valda (Turner) McFarling '45; two brothers, Larry McFarling BA '67 and Scott McFarling; and two sisters, Louise McFarling Kaan '68 and Jeanette McFarling Mills. Funeral services for the family were held at the First United Methodist Church of Northville. The family has set up a trust fund for Lindsey, a high school senior. Contributions can be made to The Lindsey McKennett Trust Fund, c/o Jeanette Mills, 30075 Spring River Dr., Southfield, MI 48076.

Mary Sue Craig Oliveros BA '86 died in August 2001 in Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor's degree in social work at AU and had worked in social work and as a dental assistant. At the time of her death, she was a stay-at-home-mom to Leeland (13), Samone (12) and Chantel (10). Other survivors include her husband, Marcel Oliveros BA '87, and her parents, Otis and Barbara Craig.

Alane Smith Owsley AS '81 died suddenly Sept. 22, 2001, in Show Low, Ariz. She is survived by her husband, Paul Owsley; one son, Logan Owsley; and her parents, Robert E. Smith BS '55, MDiv '58 and Beulah M. (Winter) Smith BS '57. Funeral services were held in Show Low on Sept. 29.

Dr. Robert Skinner Ramsay, former AU professor, died Jan. 2, 2002, in Pittsburgh. Dr. Ramsay was World War II veteran. He taught psychology at AU from 1947-1951. He later worked as an industrial psychologist for PPG Industries in Pittsburgh until his retirement. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ruth Ann Ramsay; one daughter, Ramsay; one son, Dr. Douglas Ramsay; and two grandsons, Benjamin and Jonathan Ramsay. Dr. Ramsay was buried in Cadiz Union Cemetery in Cadiz, Ohio.

Bertha Ratzlaff BTh '41 died Dec. 12, 2001. She was born near Freeman, S.D. She married Lloyd Ratzlaff Sept. 3, 1939. They worked together on their farm in the Marion, S.D., community. She was also active in her church, serving on various boards and committees and teaching Sunday school. In January 2001, she was diagnosed with ALS. She was preceded in death by her husband shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary and by two infant sons, Dennis and Rodney. She is survived by three daughters, Deloris (Ratzlaff) Padgett '65, Jenelle (Ratzlaff) Wilson '73 and Jeanette (Ratzlaff) Nielson '73; one son, Larry Ratzlaff; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; one brother, Walter Boese; and one sister, Verola Acheson.

Kenneth Tippin BA '76, MDiv '79 died Dec. 7, 2001, from a heart attack. Tippin served as the pastor of Marshall Community Church of God in Michigan from 1988 until his death. Before accepting the call to Marshall, he pastored other congregations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania. He was active in his community. Prior to his death, he completed a book, Powerful Words. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Betty Ruth (Jones) Tippin BA '75, MRE '78; one daughter, Stella Tippin; one son, John Tippin; his parents, Elden and Ella Tippin; and one brother, Robert Tippin BA '75.