Remembering our friends
Chloe Etta Johnson-Melton BA 39 died Dec. 17, 1999. She lived in Nashville, Tenn. She is survived by daughters Donna Lou Blankenship BA 62 and Retta D. Morris 59.
The Rev. Dr. Ernest Hurst Gross Jr. BA 50 died Dec. 24, 1999, in Atlanta. At the time of his death, he was the pastor of Sweetwater Chapel Church of God in Douglasville, Ga. He was a frequent speaker and musician at Church of God conventions and camp meetings around the world. He was a published songwriter and appeared on a number of recordings. He was a member of the Christian Brothers Quartet, heard internationally on Christian Brother-hood Hour. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline (Monteith) Gross BA 53; two daughters, Jodie Ackerman BA 76 and Anne Gross; two sons, Ernest Chip Gross BA 82 and Ted Gross; three sisters, Ruth Goble, Donna Moore and Wanda Gustin 54; and three brothers, David Gross, S. Eugene Gross and Dale Gross.
W. Hal Wood BA 50 died Jan. 28, 2000, in Anderson, Ind. He was a retired teacher, coach and administrator with Anderson Community Schools from 1950-1987. He owned and operated Wood Asphalt and Sealing Company. He also had worked as an adult probation officer for Madison County, Ind. Survivors include his wife, Mary Wood; two daughters, Debra Lloyd and Angela King; one granddaughter; three brothers, Rod Wood, Pete Wood and Boyce Wood BA 67; and two sisters, Charlotte Hogan and Ila Doverspike.
The Rev. Robert E. Hird BA 52 died Feb. 27, 2000, in Indianapolis. He was a minister in the Church of God for 45 years. He was a member of the full-time staff at Pendleton Heights High School. Survivors include his wife, Marie (Strickler) Hird 45; three sons, Tim Hird BA 77, the Rev. Kerry Hird BA 78, MRE 83 and Greg Hird; a daughter, Diane Hird BA 84; six grandchildren; and a brother, Richard Hird.
Robert Freeman BA 53 died Feb. 5, 2000. Last October, he was inducted into the AU Athletic Hall of Fame. While a student at AU, he lettered each season in basketball and football. He was also a member of the universitys track team. He was a long-time coach and teacher at Anderson High School and founder and director of the Dolphin Club. He was twice voted Swim Coach of the Year by the North Central Conference. He is survived by his wife, Marti Freeman; two sons, Rodney and Gregory Freeman; a daughter, Rhoda (Freeman) Courtney BA 79; a step-son, Charles Dennis; a step-daughter, Jennifer Robinette; nine grandchildren; and sister-in-law Myner Freeman. Friends and family have established the Robert L. Freeman Endowed Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships to AU students preparing for careers in coaching or teaching athletics.
Daniel Lloyd Schemmer 53 died Jan. 12, 2000. He attended AU for one year. He spent four years at Purdue, graduating with a master of arts degree. He worked in the space program at Hughes Aircraft for 30 years and four years at McDonnell Douglas before retiring in 1992. He married Bonnie Witt, who survives, in 1957. They had three children, who all live in California.
Roger Tilford BA 53 died Feb. 3, 2000, at his home in China, Calif. He taught school for many years in Ohio before moving to California in 1975, where he was director of youth services in Pomona for 15 years. As a runner, he jogged over 56,000 miles from 1975 to 1999. He is survived by his wife, Frances (Diezel) Tilford BA 51, a daughter, two grandsons, four brothers, two sisters, and many nieces and nephews.
James Robert Jim Cockerham BS 58 died Dec. 19, 1998. He was a retired senior account representative for IBM Corporation, where he worked for 25 years. He was a private pilot and enjoyed flying, fitness activities, gardening, cooking, riding motorcycles and family activities. He lived in Tupelo, Miss., with his wife, Anne. They attended West Jackson Baptist Church. Besides his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Kathy Moreillon BA 84 and her husband, Kurt Moreillon BA 79; two sons, Jimmy Cockerham and his wife, Kimberly, and Steven Cockerham and his wife, Teri; grandchildren Ryan and Ashley Moreillon and Philip and Alex Cockerham; one sister, Dorothy Ruff; and two brothers, the Rev. Thomas Cockerham BS 52, MDiv 55 and Russell Cockerham.
William I. Webster BA 68 died March 19, 2000. He was married to Cynthia Webster. He lived in Ballwin, Mo.
Sandra (Grinewitzki) Russell BA 70 died Feb. 7, 2000. She was a fifth grade teacher at Valley Grove Elementary School in Anderson, Ind. She lived in Middletown, Ind. She is survived by two sons, Andrew Russell and James Russell; her mother, Dorothy Grinewitzki; and two sisters, Joyce Vogt and Karla Giannola. Her husband, John Russell, died in 1981.
