Remembering our friends

The Rev. Kenneth Harold Dean BTh ’49 died Sept. 14, 2005, near his home in Rome, Ga. He attended both the undergraduate school and the School of Theology. He was ordained into ministry at Park Place Church of God in 1949. He pastored numerous churches and ministered in many states, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, and Georgia. After his retirement, he continued to serve as an interim pastor at several churches. He is survived by his wife, Maxine, whom he married on July 17, 1940; one daughter, Bonnie Dean Slagle; one son, Dr. Darrell Dean BA ’64; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and one brother, Lloyd Dean.

Joyce (Trick) Rumsey ’53 died July 1, 2005. She had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for 20 years. She was a registered Nurse. She was a member of the Church of God in Lawrenceburg, Ind., for 26 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest, and is survived by two children and four grandchildren.

Hilda (Doss) Williams ’57 died Aug. 29, 2005, from ovarian cancer. While a student at AU, she met James K. Williams BTh ’61. They married and enjoyed 48 years together. Hilda was a hairdresser and beauty salon owner. She was also a devoted pastor’s wife and a wonderful mother. Her husband remembers her as a caring and giving person. Everywhere she went, her presence made a difference.

Rex Terry Ahrendt BA ’64 died October 30, 2005, after an extended illness. He lived in Fishers, Ind. He graduated from Anderson High School, Anderson University, and attended the University of Hawaii. Rex had two distinct and separate careers and he excelled in both music and golf. Rex could play many instruments. Entertaining was a great joy to him, and he played his unique style on the piano in clubs all over the United States. Rex became a golf instructor in 1971 and a student of Jim Fleck. He taught several students on the PGA tour. Survivors include his mother, Ava Ahrendt; sister, Rita Simpson; and one nephew.

C. Jane (Reist) Highfield BA ’80 died Aug. 5, 2005. Jane was a missionary in East Africa with her husband, Rod, from 1963–1967. During this time she served in various capacities, including dean of Nassa Theological College. She earned her bachelor’s degree from AU at the age of 50, graduating summa cum laude. She returned to the Mwanza Region in Tanzania four times since 1999 to serve as a volunteer for the Tanzania Children’s Rescue Center. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Anderson. She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, David, both of whom are buried in Kenya. She is survived by a son, Randy Highfield; two daughters, Cheryl (Highfield) Solomon AS ’75 and Linda (Highfield) Everet ’75; a brother, Richard Reist; and 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

James Dean Hart BA ’84 died April 27, 2005, in Kettering, Ohio. He fought a long, hard battle with abdominal cancer. He was employed by the Gayston Corporation in Springboro, Ohio. He was a very successful purchasing manager. He is survived by his wife, Terri, and two daughters, Lindsey, a junior at Ohio University, and Kelly, a seventh grader at Kettering Middle School.

Jay R. Perry BA ’02 died unexpectedly on Aug. 1, 2005, in Anderson, Ind. He grew up in Middletown, Ind. He earned his degree at AU in education, social studies, and history. He was getting ready to attend the University of Hawaii to study psychology and counseling when he passed away. He spent 16 months in South Korea teaching conversational English to all ages. Survivors include his mother, Holly Conover; three brothers, Jonathan Conover, James Conover, and Jeremy Perry; one sister, Jessica Perry; a half-sister, Ashley Perry; his grandparents, Robert and Nancy Hyde; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Perry.

Charles E. “Charlie” Herrington died July 29, 2005, at his Anderson, Ind., residence, following an extended illness. In 1981, he retired from Warner Press after 40 years of employment. He was a makeup artist with the AU Drama Club. Survivors include six daughters, Judy Meeks, Linda Myer, Elizabeth Lortz, Cathy Herrington, Joyce Covey, and Dorothy Carr; and 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Helen Herrington.