Remembering our friends

Eunice U. (McClure) Dreger ’41 of Anderson, Ind., died July 22, 2008. She was born Jan. 10, 1919, in Eaton, Ohio, and had lived in Anderson since 1980. She and her husband pastored Church of God congregations in Indiana and Ohio. In addition, they served as interim pastors in 21 congregations after retirement. She was a gifted musician who played the organ and piano. She attended East Side Church of God for many years. Survivors include three children, the Rev. Rebecca (Dreger) Fauntleroy ’63, the Rev. Paul Dreger BA ’75, MMin ’79, and Keren Snyder ’80; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Wilma Sosbe ’66 and Naomi Linsea; a brother, Glenn McClure BS ’64; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. A.F. Dreger BTh ’43, whom she married Dec. 27, 1941, and who died Feb. 21, 2003.

Ethel Mae “Beth” (Farrar) Hause ’43 died July 7, 2008. She was born on Aug., 24, 1922, in Arkansas City, Kan., to Samuel and Viola Farrar. At a Sunday school convention, Beth met her husband Henry Hause ’43. They married in 1940. While at AU, Beth majored in music and Christian education. Henry, ordained by the Church of God, and Beth served their first pastorates in McDonald and Chanute, Kan. In 1946, they moved their young family to Bakersfield, Calif., where they pastored the Oildale Church of God for 14 years and returned later for another 6 years. They pastored other California churches in Laton and Morro Bay. They owned a Bible bookstore in Morro Bay, which Beth managed and operated. Beth directed choirs, served as the organist, and taught Bible classes in the churches. She was state president of Women of the Church of God in 1970 and was elected for three terms as national secretary and board member of the WCG. She was preceded in death by Henry, her husband of 62 years; her parents; two brothers, Wesley and Eugene Farrar; and, a sister, Pauline Caton. She is survived by her sister, Maxine Barrigan ’44; three daughters, Marlene Sharp, Kay Johnson, and Carol Hendrix Deppen; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Edison C. White BA ’54 died July 5, 2008. He was born Aug. 27, 1922, to the late Andrew and Myrtie (Woodcox) White in Akron, Ind. He served in the U.S. Army in the 1st Cavalry Division during World War II. He was the chaplain at the Indiana Boys School in Plainfield for 26 years, retiring in 1987. He attended the Avon Community Church of God and was a member of the Plainfield Kiwanis Club, of which he was a charter member and served as past president, and the Plainfield Church Federation. He was a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash Award. He is survived by a son, Dean E. White; a daughter, Diane R. White; a brother, Charles (Kris) Pletcher; a granddaughter, Stephanie I. (Josh) Nelson; and a special family friend, Don Penrod. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mable I. (Mitschelen) White; and a daughter, Donna I. Bowen ’70.

Betty (Gobble) Grubbs BS ’55 of Anderson, Ind., died July 20, 2008, following an extended illness with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born in Cape Girardeau, Mo., and grew up in San Francisco, Calif. While at AU, she was a member of the Camarada Club. Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Dale Grubbs BA ’54, MDiv ’57, whom she married in Anderson on June 7, 1953; and one child, Cheryl (Grubbs) Lyon ’82. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orval and Ruby (Winston) Gobble; and brother, Bill Gobble.

Tena G. Schutjer BTh ’28 died on Oct. 9, 2008, at the age of 101. Tena was the widow of the Rev. Martin Schutjer BTh ’29; and the mother of Beth (Schutjer) Harting ’52, the Rev. Clifford Schutjer BA ’58, and Marlys Schutjer BA ’62. She is also survived by several grandchildren.

Ralph H. Sprague Sr. ’34 died in Anderson, Ind., on Sept. 21, 2008, after a short illness. As a child he lived in various cities in Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia, as his father pastored churches in those locations. After his marriage to Virginia Miller on Oct. 2, 1937, they lived in Chicago and for five years in Detroit. They moved to Anderson in 1962. They were married for 69 years until her death in 2006. He was personnel director at Warner Press and retired in 1980. While employed at Warner Press he was president of the Junior Achievement Board of Directors, chairman of the Manpower Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, president of the Anderson Noon Lions Club, and involved in other community affairs. After retirement he directed the Anderson Community Retiree Fellowship for five years, and was manager of the Anderson Symphony Orchestra for four years. He attended Park Place Church of God and held several offices including chairman of the Board of Trustees and chairman of the Church Council. Surviving are two sons, Ralph Sprague Jr. BS ’60 and Richard Sprague BS ’66; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Elnora Lorena (Baldwin) Keith BTh ’40 died Aug. 3, 2008. At AU, she met and married Ray Keith BTh ’39, who preceded her in death. They had four children — Gary Keith, Carol Nickolisen, Joyce Ruse, and Doresa Shroyer. Elnora and Ray worked together in ministry for 35 years. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Elnora served as the spiritual life director in the National Women’s Organization of the Church of God. The couple retired in Nebraska. In addition to her three daughters, Elnora is survived by one brother, Cecil W. Baldwin; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Raymond Ira Bringham BTh ’43 died Jan. 26, 2008, after battling cancer. He was ordained by the Church of God in 1941 and served in ministry for more than 65 years. He did graduate work at Phillips University and in 1958 became a Dale Carnegie Instructor. He pastored in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California. In 1964, he founded and served as president of Inter-Church Team Ministry, which was later renamed Prayer Summit Ministry. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mildred “Mid” Bringham; children Sharon Spiekerman and Larry Bringham; and seven grandchildren.

Mary E. Wilson ’44 died Sept. 18, 2008. Mary was an accomplished pianist, who graduated from music school and taught piano. This gift made her a wonderful helpmate in ministry. She met her husband, Charles, at a campmeeting in West Virginia, where she was the pianist for the services, and Charles was asked to sing. She came to Anderson University, where Charles lived and worked and attended college. Within six months they were married. They lived in Anderson for 26 years, where they raised their children. In 1969 Charles decided to go back to his first call of preaching. They moved to Tulare, Calif., on a call from the First Church of God, where they served for nine years. They then answered a call to San Jose in 1979. They retired in January 1985 and moved to Lodi, where they lived until 1991 and during the same year moved to Visalia. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Charles Wilson BTh ’45; a daughter, Beth McAuliff; a son, C. Brady Wilson BA ’70; a grandson and granddaughter; and a great-granddaughter.

Fred Bird BS ’46 died Aug. 18, 2008, at Penney Retirement Community, Penney Farms, Fla., where he had resided the past 20 years. Fred served 41 years in the ministry in West Plains, Mo.; Lanett, Ala.; and Tampa, Lakeland, and Sarasota, Fla. He moved to Penney Retirement Community to be the director of Beyer House in 1989, a position he held until 1995. He leaves his daughter Marilyn (Bird) Gaines ’65; one grandson Kenneth Lee Gaines Jr.; two great-grandsons, Shane Gaines and Austin Fralin of Sarasota, Florida; Edna Lee Bird, his wife of 12 years. He was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters; his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth (Gentry) Bird; and their son, Daniel L. Bird.

Cecil A. Craig BTh ’47 died Oct. 12, 2008. He served as a pastor for the Church of God for more than 55 years. He served in Oklahoma, California, Missouri, Indiana, and Georgia. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Craig; three sons, David Craig, Paul Craig, and Jerry Craig; and one stepdaughter, Marie Craig Morrison.

F. Jeanne Petee Walls BS ’48 died at her home in Aiken, S.C., on July 29, 2008, after an extended illness with Alzheimer’s disease. A native of Crestline, Ohio, she met her husband-to-be when they were freshmen at Anderson in 1943. They were married Dec. 22, 1945. She worked her way through college at The Gospel Trumpet Co. and worked in Raleigh, N.C., while her husband finished college at North Carolina State. She followed her husband in his 36½ year career with the DuPont Co. and 21 years of retirement. During this time she earned a M.Ed. degree from the University of South Carolina and taught school in Aiken, S.C. She is survived by her husband of 62½ years, James Emmett Walls ’45; two daughters, Janette (Walls) Rogerson and Tina (Walls) Shake; one son, Steven Walls; 6 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Kenneth Lee Good BA ’50 of Oklahoma City, died Aug. 21, 2008. He pastored in Springfield, Colo., and Cheyenne, Wyo., before entering into missionary service from 1961 to 1994. Survivors include his wife, Sue Jo Good; brother, Loren Good; sister, Charlotte Harryman; daughters, Deborah (Good) Hunnicutt BA ’82 and Rebekah (Good) Bransford BA ’90; son, Stephen Good; several grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Willie Lou (Legg) Roller BS ’51 of Anderson, Ind., died Dec. 6, 2008. She received her master’s degree from Ball State University. She retired from Madison Heights High School where she taught for many years. She was a member of Park Place Church of God. Survivors include her sister, Dorothy Marie Bufkin and 12 great-nieces and six great-nephews.

C. Robert Farlow BA ’55 died July 2, 2008. He went on from AU to earn two master’s degrees and a doctorate. He was an ordained minister in the Church of God. He spent most of his career as an art teacher. He later opened his own line of sculptures under the name Briarcraft, Inc. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judith (Henderson) Farlow; two daughters, Michele (Farlow) Butler ’84 and Stephanie (Farlow) Blair BA ’88; an adopted daughter, Ruby Smith; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Jim Farlow and Ward Farlow; and a sister, Shirley (Farlow) Davis ’62.

Jesse T. Woodward BTh ’56 died Dec. 3, 2008. He was ordained in 1939 and went on to pastor in Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, Florida, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia. He married Frances Bryan Woodward on Feb. 8, 1943. He is survived by his wife and a niece, Loretta Rutherford.

Phyllis A. (Spitzmesser) Holder BS ’58 of Anderson, Ind., died Nov. 24, 2008. She earned a master’s degree from Ball State University in 1963. She taught for 43 years. She received “Teacher of the Year” for Anderson Schools in 2000-2001. She retired in June 2003. Survivors include children Kevin Holder BA ’86, Mary Beth (Holder) Rowbottom ’88, and Brandon Holder ’99; and four grandchildren.

Sherrill (Williams) Guydelkon ’65 died Oct. 8, 2008, in Everett, Wash. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Washington University in 1979. A genealogist and editor of the See-Yaht-Sub newspaper for the Tulalip Tribes, Sherrill also worked as a history teacher for the Marysville Pilchuck High School, where she was the first Native American liaison. Sherrill is survived by her husband of 29 years, Ben; son, Dan Smith; daughter, Kimberly Kalliber; sister, Sandy Tracy; brothers, Terry Williams and Daryl Williams; one grandson; and one great-granddaughter.

David Arthur Bebee BA ’70 died Nov. 29, 2008. Following college David moved west and eventually settled in the San Francisco Bay area. His early career was in the mortgage business, and he later worked in the non-profit industry. He spent several years working at Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco. He is survived by his wife, Lynne; stepdaughters Kimberly Stiewig and Becky Stiewig; and his two brothers, Richard Bebee and Douglas Bebee.

Herbert Wunsch BA ’74 died of a heart attack Feb. 19, 2007. He lived in Wisconsin.

Carol Joyce (Daniels) Hoak BA ’75 of Anderson, Ind., died Nov. 15, 2008. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She later earned a master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Ball State University. She was employed as a preschool and primary teacher with Anderson Community Schools from 1977-2001. She was also part-time faculty in the School of Education at Anderson University from 1983-2001. Survivors include her husband, Duane Hoak ’55, whom she married in June of 1959 in Toledo, Ohio; two children, Michelle (Hoak) Pierce BA ’85 and Michael Hoak; her sister, Irene Thelma “Sue” Amstutz; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Patti Lynn (Scofield) Sulfridge BA ’80 of Wheaton, Ill., died at home on Aug. 22, 2008. She worked as an accountant for General Motors and later for EDS in the Detroit area. On May 25, 1985, she married David Lee Sulfridge. After living in Lowell, Mass., Chatham, N.J., and Grosse Pointe, Mich., they moved to Wheaton, Ill., in 1993. She is survived by her husband; two children, Steven and Susie; her mother, Betty Scofield; her father, Mike Scofield; and two siblings, David Scofield and Connie Winston.

Pamela Blades Liechty BA '83 died July 24, 2008. Pam worked as the director of the internal audit department of Mutual Savings Bank in Bay City, Mich., for 15 years. Pam married Scott Liechty on September 28, 1996. After their children were born, Pam enjoyed working as a stay-at-home wife and mother. In addition to her many responsibilities at home, she also served at her home church, the Floyd Church of God, in Midland, Mich. Pam taught Sunday school classes, facilitated Weigh Down and ladies Bible study meetings, taught classes in vacation Bible school, Bible Release, Wednesday night Kid’s Club, and led children’s church. She ministered with her husband, Scott, for 12 years with the Sunday morning children’s puppet ministry as the writer of the skits for "Bobo Bear" and other various characters. She is survived by her husband and four children, Steven, age 10; Kristen, age 8; Lauren, age 6; and Megan, age 5.

Julie Carol (James) Gittins BA ’87 died Aug. 19, 2008, after a four-year battle with cancer. She was born in Anderson, Ind., on August 13, 1965, and graduated from James Madison High School in San Antonio, Texas, Anderson University, and California State University in Fullerton, with honors. She taught school in Baldwin Park, Fullerton, and Rocklin. She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Scott Gittins BA ’86; their daughters Megan, Annika, and Brenna; her parents, Jerry BS ’66 and Patricia James; and her brother, Richard James.

Virginia Ethelyn (Johnson) Reardon of Anderson, Ind., died Sept. 15, 2008. She graduated from Phillips High School and Massey Business College in Alabama. She worked for U.S. Steel at Fairfield, in the purchasing department for nearly 20 years. In 1960, she came to Anderson to accept a position as secretary to the president of Anderson University and stayed until retiring in December 1982. Virginia was given the Anderson University Heritage Award and made an Honorary Alumna of Anderson College in 1973. She was a member of the Anderson Symphony Orchestra Guild, Alcott Club, Anderson University Fellows and Sponsors, and was active at Park Place Church of God. She is survived by three stepchildren, Lowell Reardon, Dan Reardon, and Ann Reardon; two stepgranddaughters; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death on Feb. 12, 2006, by her husband, John Willard Reardon, whom she married Jan. 4, 1975.