Remembering our friends

Alice Louise (Hagan) Harrington Doty ’34 died March 1, 2009. She met her first husband, William Harrington, at Anderson University. They were married Sept. 26, 1937, and settled in Odessa, Texas. Louise led a full life. Being married to a pipeline welder included many months at home with the children while Bill worked out of town. Finding opportunity in the most challenging circumstances, she used trips to visit Bill to teach her children geography, history, spelling, math, and map-reading skills. Ever the faithful mother, she encouraged and supported her children in church, school, and music activities. Louise and Bill spent 58 years together before he passed away. In September 2001, Louise married Dr. Walter Doty. This marriage continued until Walter’s passing in January 2008. Walter and Louise enjoyed their time together with travel, study, and prayer ministry. Louise is survived by her children, Fae Jones, William (Bill) Harrington, Jr., Lenore Nischik, and John; stepchildren, Robert W. Doty, James F. Doty, and John D. Doty; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Agnes Marie Hilligas Newberry ’39 of Anderson, Ind., died April 16, 2009, after suffering from Alzheimer’s for a number of years. She graduated from Rio Grande College in southern Ohio in 1936 and began teaching near her home at Laurel Valley and Harrisville schools. She married Gene W. Newberry BTh ’38, DD ’01 in 1938, and they pastored in Detroit, Cleveland, San Jose, and Baltimore. After moving to Anderson in 1948, she helped start the Park Place Church Nursery School (now Children’s Center) and taught there for a number of years. She was a founding member of Charissa Club, a founder and mentor of Anderson College School of Theology Grad Wives, and a volunteer for Contact Help. She and her husband started Pathways, an adult Sunday school class at Park Place Church of God and led it for 40 years. She and her husband taught at Kima Theological Seminary in Kenya, East Africa, in 1972 and again in 1982. Survivors include her husband of 71 years, Gene Newberry; daughters, Kay Schlafer BS ’66, Jill Dickerson BA ’68, and Beth Backus Moe BA ’72; a granddaughter Angela Lehr Ellison BA ’94; a great-grandson, Ike Christian Ellison; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Frederick Gerald Shackleton ’42 died in April 2009. Fred met Doris Emilyn Martin BTh ’42, BS ’43 at Anderson University. They toured in a trio for the college then married in 1943. He was an ordained minister of the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.) and a professor at several Christian universities. Fred was an accomplished tenor soloist, a composer, vocal coach, choir director, and singing evangelist who, with his wife, led many church conventions and camp meetings throughout the United States. He began his career singing on Christian radio programs at the age of 14. The last 22 years of his career were spent as a professor of philosophy, religion, and vocal technique at Azusa Pacific University. Many students, friends, parishioners, and family have been influenced by his teaching and godly life. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Loren Shackleton BTh ’45 and Benjamin Shackleton. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Martin Shackleton; his daughters, Fredda Koupal and Linda Wallace; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a brother, Alvin Shackleton BTh ’41.

Almeda Hopper (Rawlings) Geeting BTh ’45, BS ’50 died May 16, 2009, in Anderson, Ind. Almeda was a teacher at Frankton Elementary School (grades three and four) in Frankton, Ind. She also taught in New Mexico, California, and Grand Cayman Island. She was a member of East Side Church of God, Women of the Church of God, Mid-Century Home Economics Club, and the Adelphia Philai Club. Survivors include her sister, Thelma (Rawlings) Losey; stepdaughter, Shirley (Geeting) Engbrecht BS '61; stepson, Michael Hopper; three step-grandsons; eight step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Almeda was preceded in death by her first husband, Denver James Hopper, who passed away in 1977; second husband, Ralph Geeting, who passed away in 2007; a sister, Dorothy Dailey; and a stepgreat-grandson, William Engbrecht.

Robert Lee Morgan BTh ’45 of Scott Depot, W.V., died April 23, 2009. Robert served churches throughout the United States and Canada as pastor and youth minister. In March 1989 he came to Scott Depot Christ Fellowship where he served as pulpit minister. He also served as missionary to the West Indies and Guyana. Surviving are his wife of 36 years, Barbara Spangler Morgan; children, Timothy Taylor and Jeanne Taylor; his brother, Harold Morgan; and his nieces, Darlene Morgan and Christine McCallister. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy, and a brother, Brad.

Anita Lorene Jarvis Hughes ’46 died Dec. 21, 2008, at her residence in Clarksville, Tenn., following an extended illness. She met and married her husband Chester Hughes BA ’52 while at Anderson University. They were married for 62 years and served together in the ministry for 57 years, pastoring in Coolidge, Kan.; Griggs, Okla.; Wichita Falls, Texas; Marion, Ky.; and Dover, Tenn. After retirement, they went to Clarksville as associate ministers at First Church of God. Survivors include her husband; son Michael Hughes ’68; daughters Marlita Williams BA ’73 and Cheryl Roan BA ’77; foster son Gene Farley; four granddaughters; 12 great grandchildren; a brother, Melvin Jarvis; sisters Louise Pickens, Elizabeth Davidson, and Elsie Warmoth; and several nieces and nephews. Family members preceding her in death who were also alumni were her mother, Elsie Bates Jarvis, member of the first class of 1917, and sister Alvena (Jarvis) Van Norman ’45.

Cecil Wayne Wilder ’48 died May 28, 2009. Wayne spent 50 years in the Church of God ministry. He was a World War II Army veteran. He met his wife, Kathryn, while at Anderson University. They were married 61 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Marsha Wilder ’75; two sons, Wayne Wilder BA ’75 and William Douglas Wilder BA ’88; four grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Clifford Wayne Lyon ’53 died April 4, 2009. He was a Church of God minister for nearly 45 years. He was married to Lois Arlene Harris, who died in 2006. He is survived by his children, Carolyn Hartshorn, Tom Lyon, David Lyon, and Janna Walters; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Graber, and a brother, Bob Lyon.

Ralph K. Lane Sr. ’55 died April 19, 2009. Ralph started his ministry as a Church of God (Anderson, Ind.) pastor in 1970 in North Bradley, Mich., and continued with his ministry in Oregon, California, Arizona and Texas, where he retired in the early 1990s. He also had an evangelistic ministry that carried Ralph and his family throughout the United States and Canada. He was the beloved husband of nearly 50 years to Rosemary Lane, caring and loving father of Robin Agopian, Renee Ekman, Ralph Lane, and Randon Lane, attentive grandfather to 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Dolores Schrank Hatch ’56 died April 16, 2009, in Atlanta, Ga., after a nine-month battle with cancer. While a student at Anderson University, she met Ralph W. Hatch, who was a seminary student. They were married June 19, 1956. Together, they served churches in Palatka, Fla.; Leesburg, Fla.; Punxsutawney, Pa.; and Maiden Lane Church, Springfield, Ohio. After retirement in 1996, they served eight churches in interim pastoral assignments in Georgia, Florida, Missouri, and Texas. The heart of Dolores’ ministry was with youth and children. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, the Rev. Ralph W. Hatch; her children, Patricia (Hatch) Hart BA ’80, AS ’95, John Hatch BA ’82, Susan (Hatch) Williams ’83, and Sheri (Hatch) Dawdy BA ’90, AA ’90. She was the devoted grandmother of eight grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Muriel Roeder.

Ruth Margaret (Hunter) Hurt Morgan ’57 died July 16, 2008, in Decatur, Ill., with her four children by her side. She married Harvel Terrence (Joe) Hurt BS ’61, and he preceded her in death. She later married Fonso Morgan, and he preceded her in death. Ruth was most recently a member of Peoples Church of God in Decatur. She received her bachelor’s degree from Mansfield State College in Mansfield, Pa., and attended seminary at Anderson University, where she met and married Joe. Her mother, Ruth (Young) Hunter BTh ’24, also attended Anderson. Ruth was a charter member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. As an educator, she taught elementary and high school and also at Ivy Tech Community College in Anderson. She is survived by her children, Philip Dean Hurt, Leanne Ruth Brooks BA ’84, Jonathan Dale Hurt, and Elizabeth Ellen Hurt Vernau; and grandchildren Elliott Dean Hurt, Caitlin Elizabeth Hurt, Jason Roderick Brooks, and Laura Megan Brooks.

Harold O. Welsh, Jr., BS ’59 died April 1, 2009, in Indiana. He married Marcella Marie Ellis BS ’56 Aug. 28, 1955. He earned a graduate degree from Ball State University and studied aerospace at Lock Haven College. Harold was in the U.S. Army and served in Japan during the Korean War. Harold did his early teaching at Winamac, Anderson, and Pendleton high schools where he taught industrial arts and acted as cross-country, track, and basketball coach. He was among the inaugural teachers at the opening of Columbus East High School and was an industrial arts educator there for 19 years. In addition to his regular involvement with the athletic program at CEHS, he served as golf coach for several years. He served as chairman for District 14 of the Indiana Technology Educators Association for several years and was on the advisory committee for plastics mold making at Vincennes University. He was preceded in death by his wife. He is survived by his two sons, Eric Welsh and Kevin Welsh, and one granddaughter.

Roy Funk BS ’64 died April 18, 2009, at his residence in Georgia after a valiant struggle with leukemia. A native of Burlington, Mich., Roy had lived in Tifton since 1974, when he moved to Tifton to begin a Pasquale’s Pizza Restaurant. Later, he left the Pasquale’s chain and changed his store’s name to Chicago Pizza and Pasta, which is now owned and operated by his son, Vince Funk. When his sons were young, he was actively involved as a Little League coach. Most of his activities, however, were centered around the church he loved, Trinity United Methodist Church in Tifton. He sang in the choir, served many years as administrative board/council chairman and Sunday School teacher, and trimmed and cared for the plants around the church. He received his master’s degree in counseling from Michigan State University. He is survived by his wife, B.J. Funk; five sons, Vince Funk, Deron Funk, Robby Funk; Shawn Stafford, and Chad Smith; seven grandchildren; two sisters, Janet (Funk) Shearer BA ’69 and Shirley (Funk) Clutter BA ’66; and four nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his mother, but his 93-year-old father is still sharp and lives alone in Michigan.

David A. Bebee BA ’70 died Nov. 29, 2008. He graduated from AU with a degree in mathematics. After graduation, he settled in the San Francisco Bay area. His early career was in the mortgage business and later in the non-profit industry. He spent several years working at Glide Memorial United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur BTh ’41, BS ’43 and Myrtle BRE ’41 Bebee. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Bebee; stepdaughters Kim and Becky Stiewig; and brothers Richard Bebee BA ’65 and Douglas Bebee BA ’69.

Richard E. Meyer ’72 died April 22, 2009. Rich pastored churches in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Indiana. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, hiking, and music. He is survived by his wife, Caryol (Johnson) Meyer BA ’74; his sons, Matt Meyer and Josh Meyer; his mother, Pauline Meyer; his sister, Sharon (Meyer) Mitten ’62; and brothers Kerry Meyer BA ’68 and Greg Meyer BA ’78.

Nancy Noble Lehnus AS ’75 of Evansville, Ind., died April 21, 2009, with her family at her bedside. She received an Associate of Science Degree for Nursing from Anderson University. Nancy was an RN at Welborn Hospital from 1975 to 1981. She also received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Southern Indiana in May 1997. Nancy attended Bethel Temple for 18 years with her family and was active in mission work and choir. She was a member of Crossroads Christian Church and was active in their 2:42 Small Group Ministry and the Women to Women Mentoring Program. Nancy also started a home business for women, The Victorian Tea Merchant, where she hosted events for women to have time to share and visit. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Roland Lehnus; daughters, Jaime Byrnes and Rachel Lehnus; two grandchildren; parents, James and Nita Noble; brother, Jim Noble; sisters, Bonnie Hudson, Anne Johnson, and Amy Zehring.

Jamie L. (Nelson) Mills BA ’82 died Feb. 6, 2009, at her home in Kennesaw, Ga., after a courageous 10-year battle with cancer. She met her husband, Michael W. Mills BA ’82, at Anderson University, and they were married in 1983. They lived in Pensacola, Fla., Mobile, Ala., and moved to the Atlanta area in 1986. Jamie was always a stay-at-home mother, the kids being her full-time job. She was a member of the Kennesaw United Methodist Church and volunteered in the kids’ schools and church activities. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Ryan and Tristan; a daughter, Jordyn; her parents, Donald and Barbara Nelson; and a brother, Dr. Jeffrey Nelson BA '87.

Charles Terry Kendall MAR ’90 died April 13, 2009, in Evansville, Ind., as the result of a fall from a ladder. He graduated from George Peabody College School of Library Science at Vanderbilt University and served as a library director in a number of libraries. He served 15 years as theological studies librarian and archivist at AU. Charles served as a library director for Sterling College in Sterling, Kan., before moving to Mount Vernon, Ind., where he served in the Alexandria Public Library for the past six years. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed bicycling, hiking, and reading, and loved trains. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Alice (Bienz) Kendall, and his three daughters, Terri Kendall BA ’01, Anita Kendall, and Kendra Kendall.