Alumni Obituaries – May 2015
Stephen E. King, (M.Div. 1994), 59, of Paxton, IL passed away November 24, 2014 at Covenant Hospital in Urbana, IL. He is survived by wife, Janet; son, David King; daughter, Diane Chisholm; parents, Charles and Clara King; brothers, Billy and Michael King; sisters, Judy Mosher, Jane Jones, and Janet Hanson, and 5 grandchildren.
Thomas David Markwood, (M.Div. 1979),69, of Knoxville, passed away March 16, 2015. He was a loving husband, father and pastor. Tom worked as a manager for B.F. Goodrich until 1976, when he was called to be a minister. After receiving a Master of Theology degree from Asbury Seminary, he served in the United Methodist Church for over 39 years in the Holston Conference. His wife of 49 years, Margaret, served faithfully by his side. As a father, he taught by example, was generous, and a hard worker. He was a true man of God who touched many lives, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Markwood; children, Wendy Markwood, Heather Bingham and Jason Price; Jason’s sons, Cade Price, Austin Price, Corbin Price; sister-in-law, Almonta Markwood; sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Frank Lancianese; and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Johnston.
Wilbur Wilson Stein, (B.Div. 1950), 96, of St. Elmo, Illinois passed away at 3:55 a.m. Sunday, April 5, 2015 at his residence with family and friends by his side. Mr. Stein was born on September 23, 1918 near St. James, Illinois, the son of Wilbur and Rosa (Ragel) Stein. He was raised on a farm in rural St. James, Illinois. He married Jay (Kingsley) on August 18, 1947. They had one son, Clovis “Val” Valdez. He retired in 1987 from his career in teaching and pastoring churches for forty six years. His labors were in Illinois, Alaska, Canada, and Kansas. Mr. Stein married Sharon Brown on October 25, 2006 at the Southern Baptist Church in Altamont, Illinois. He is survived by his wife of eight years, Sharon; step-daughter, Cindy Brown; step-sons, David Brown and “Bubba” (wife Gina) Brown all of St. Elmo, Illinois; grandchildren, Levi, Logan, Lewis, Morgan, Willie, Greg (wife Paula), Lyric, Matt, and Justin; seven great-grandchildren, Vaida, Isaiah, Kyleigh, Abel, Whitten, Harley, and Isaiah. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and sister-in-law, Edna Stein.
Wilson was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Jay Stein; son, Clovis “Val” Valdez; four sisters, Leona Dale Stein, Erma Claire Stein, Letha Mae Worthy, Goldie Isabel Guffey; two brothers, Clarence Waldo Stein and Paul Cleo Stein; two brothers-in-law, Harold Worthy and Roy Guffey; and one sister-in-law, Mildred Stein.