Alumni Obituaries- November 2015
Elmo Dale Caldwell, (1951), 96, of Louisville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 18, 2015, at the Franciscan Healthcare Campus. Elmo was born to Robin Vernon and Cora Helena Fischer Caldwell in Clay Center, Kansas, May 31, 1919. He attended elementary schools in Longford, Garfield Elementary in Clay Center, and South Exeter District 42, Clay County, Kansas. He graduated from Clay County Community High school in 1939. After graduation Elmo worked for two years with his stepfather, John E. Keen, to whom his mother was married in 1931. Elmo also worked with other farmers in Exeter Township. He was converted at a tent camp meeting, held in the pasture of Clyde Lloyd, in September 1939, which made a profound change in his life. He was an avid churchman and widely read in books of theology, philosophy, ethics, and the humanities. He loved the writings of classic Greek and Jewish writers, as well as scholarly magazines. His most loved book was the Bible. In 1941 he moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he took training as a sheet metallurgist, at the American Aeronautical Institute. He then moved to Los Angeles where he was employed by Vega Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Aircraft Company in Burbank, California, where B-17 Bombers were built. In October 1943 Elmo volunteered for military service in the Army Air Corps. He completed his basic training at Amarillo, Texas, and then transferred to Kingman, Arizona, for gunnery school. He was assigned with a crew of ten men at Pyote, Texas, to fly a new B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Bury-St. Edmunds, England, where they were attached to the 92nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. The crew flew 30 missions over the Rhineland, West Germany; over Central Europe, and the Ardennes of Northeast France, Luxembourg, and Southeast Belgium. They often suffered damage to the fuselage of their plane from ground fire, but always returned safely. Elmo flew 11 missions as a tail gunner and 16 missions as a right waist gunner. The crew’s last mission was flown the day President Franklin D. Roosevelt died at Warm Springs, Georgia, April 12, 1945. Elmo was discharged from service in October 1945, with the EAME Service Medal, 3 Oakleaf Clusters, 4 Battle Stars, 1 Overseas Bar, the Air Medal and Good Conduct Medal. After the war Elmo graduated from Miltonvale Wesleyan College, Miltonvale, Kansas, with a Bachelors Degree in Theology and Religion in 1949. In 1950, he graduated from Westmar College, LeMars, Iowa, with an A.B. degree. He then took courses at Asbury Theological Seminary in 1951. His biblical studies prepared him well to teach Sunday school classes for more than 50 years. An avid Bible scholar, he read the Bible through, by his own count, more than 65 times. In 1953 he moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was employed as a sheet metal craftsman by Clayton & Lambert Water Heater, Fire Pot and Blow Torch Factory from 1953-1961. From 1961-1988 he worked at Louisville Naval Ordnance Plant, where he received several meritorious awards for his skills in sheet metallurgy. He was married to Catherine Harrington, November 20, 1959. She died April 18, 1999. He was also predeceased by his parents and one sister, Doris, long time resident of Clay Center. He was a faithful servant of the Lord with a long and beautiful relationship with the members of the Alleghany Wesleyan Methodist Church of Shepherdsville, Kentucky. He is survived by one brother, Wayne E. Caldwell, and wife Joan of Fishers, Indiana; two nieces, Joy A. Caldwell of Belmont, New York and Eunice L. Rickey (Brian) of Marion, Indiana; and one nephew, Philip W. Caldwell (Jill) of Noblesville, Indiana; four great nieces and four great nephews, four great-great nieces, and three great-great nephews, numerous cousins, neighbors, and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Brookside Wesleyan Methodist Church, 1644 W. Hebron Lane, Shepherdsville, KY 40165.
John H. Choi, (M.Div., 2002), 40, of Loveland was the beloved husband of Sylvia J. (nee Kim) Choi, the loving father of Sophia (age 8) and Ethan (age 5), and devoted son of Tae H. and Byung J. Choi. He is the cherished brother of Jeana (James) Lim and Naomi (Mark) Lee. Dear son-in-law of Hong and Soon Kim. Caring brother-in-law of Jooyon (Linus) Park and Sofia (Daniel) Lee. He is survived by many dear family members and cherished friends, he passed away after a hard fight with brain cancer on September 23, 2015.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of John may be directed to an Education Fund for Sophia and Ethan Choi at any US Bank. – See more at: http://www.tuftsschildmeyer.com/obituary/John-H.-Choi/Loveland-OH/1546575#sthash.mPsv4Ysz.CGuCn6TW.dpuf
Dr. Donald E. Demaray, (B.Div. 1949), age 88, widower of Kathleen E. Demaray, passed away on Saturday, October 31st,2015. He was born December 6th, 1926, in Adrian, MI to the late C. Dorr and Grace Vore Demaray. Dr. Don Demaray, A Servant of the Living God: -Professor of Religion at Seattle Pacific University for 14 years -Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary for 48 years, teaching: Homiletics, Spiritual Formation, Healing, Speech and Writing- Elder in Free Methodist Church Prolific author of books and articles- Mentor, encourager and friend to all who knew him He is survived by one son, James (Charlene) Demaray, two daughters, Cherith (Paul) Davenport) and Elyse (Jim Palmieri) Demaray, four grandchildren Matthew (Alyson) Davenport, Shawn (Amy) Demaray, Kathleen (Andrew Cobble) Davenport, and Christopher Demaray; three great grandchildren, Aiden Demaray, Brandelyn Davenport, and Kaylee Reynolds, and a host of other family and friends to mourn his passing.
Rev. Harry W. Fegan, (M.Div., 1956), 87, married to Burnette Brace Fegan for almost fifty-nine years, died Monday, October 5, 2015 at home in Wilmore, Kentucky. He was born September 10, 1928 to Charles Dimmitt and Daisy Youngman Fegan in Bracken County, Kentucky. Harry graduated from Asbury College in 1953 and Asbury Seminary in 1956 with a Master’s of Divinity. He entered pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church, Kentucky Conference, serving thirty-seven years in thirteen churches before retiring to Wilmore in 1992 where he continued to minister and serve his community in various ways. A man of wit, wisdom, grace, and compassion, he had a passion and commitment to preaching, evangelism, visitation, service, study of God’s word, prayer, and broad reading and also enjoyed construction projects, painting, great car deals, checker games with friends, children, good jokes, and good coffee. Harry is survived by two children, Charles (Dolores) Fegan of Stanford, Kentucky and Janet (David) Eisemann of Ellicott City, Maryland, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of the Bluegrass or a charity of your choice. Hospice of the Bluegrass 2312 Alexandria Drive Lexington, KY 40504.
Rev. Richard Hal Finney, (1957, M.Div.), 86, of Boonville, North Carolina passed away at Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, North Carolina on October 22, 2015 at Sunrise after a long fought battle with cancer. Hal was born in East Bend, North Carolina on January 29, 1929 to Clement and Marie Matthews Finney. He graduated from Asbury Seminary in 1957 and Emory University with a Masters in Divinity. He served the Methodist Church in Western North Carolina Conference from 1957 to 1965. Always the scholar he continued his education at the University of Georgia earning a Masters Degree in Social work. Hal served as a Chief of Social Work for the Veterans Administration in Salem and Hampton Virginia. After his retirement from Virginia he returned to his love of ministry with the Methodist Church in the Western North Carolina Conference. Hal moved back to Yadkin County and served as a Chaplain for Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care. Hal was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Gerald “Buck” Finney, his son, Richard “Dickie” Finney. Hal is survived by his sister, Wilma (June) Brooks, and many nieces and nephews; his former wife Virginia Long Finney of Yadkinville and daughters, Janet (Carol) Lineberry of East Bend; Sharon Wright of Shelby, North Carolina; Patricia (Karen) Finney of Navarre, Florida; and Becky (Della) Finney of Hickory, North Carolina; grandchildren are Lee (Rhonda) Finney of Boonville, Pamela Lineberry of Winston-Salem, Julia (Joey) Hare of Yadkinville, and David (Wendy) Wright of Shelby, North Carolina. Hal had six great-granddaughters, Cortland Phillips, Salem, Arden, and Tatum Finney, Emma Hare, and Gracie Wright. In lieu of flower, memorials may be made to the Mountain Valley Hospice SECU Hospice Home of Yadkinville, 320 Maple Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055. Hals’s Family would like to express their gratitude to Peggy North, David Lafferty, Kathy Reece, Bill Shore, and Woltz Hospice Home of Dobson, NC. Online condolences may be made to www.gentryfuneralservice.com.
Rev. Joseph Edward Fulford, (M.Div., 1975), 88, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 7, 2015 at his home in Alachua, Florida. He was born in Bonifay, Florida March 29, 1927, to Joseph Thomas and Lillie Williams Fulford. He spent most of his childhood and adolescence in Bonifay. He left Bonifay at age 17 to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II . Upon returning from the war, he operated the family grocery store and married the love of his life, Janople Sanders Fulford. He is survived by three children: Bennye Alligood, Peggy Shields, and Reverend Eddie Fulford, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren, three brothers and numerous nieces and nephews. Early in his marriage, Joe and Jan moved to south Florida, where he worked as a butcher and a prison chaplain until the age of 38 when he received a calling to become a minister. At the age of 38 he started studying for his GED, earning his high school diploma the same year as his oldest daughter. As a student pastor, he attended Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida; received a BS in Journalism from the University of Florida and a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. In the course of his ministry, Rev. Fulford pastored at United Methodist Churches in Waldo, Florida; Bowen and Moreland, Kentucky; Indiantown, Fort Lauderdale, Lake Alfred, Live Oak and Jacksonville, Florida. Upon his retirement in 1993, he attended the First United Methodist Church of Bonifay, Florida and High Springs, Florida. A veteran of World War II, an ex-butcher, a retired Methodist Minister and a natural born story teller, he was able to use his degree of Journalism to share the many interesting and humorous adventures he encountered in his life through his church columns. Not long after his retirement, his oldest granddaughter encouraged him to compile his columns into a book, ‘Before Aspirin and Other Things,’ published in 2006. His book is filled with humorous stories with a religious message. He found gratification from seeing moods change and spirits lift. He loved to bring laughter and a closeness to God. Memorial contributions may be made to the music program at the First United Methodist Church of Dunnellon, 21501 W. Hwy 40, Dunnellon, FL 34431.
Rev. Henry “Allen” Karnes Jr., (M.Div., 2003), 66, of Princeton died Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at his home. Born July 21, 1949 in Princeton he was the son of Doris Meadows Karnes of Spanishburg and the late Henry Allen Karnes. He served as a pastor in the West Virginia Conference and Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church for 20 years. Prior to entering the ministry, he worked as an inspector for the West Virginia Department of Highways and as a machinist for Hydroplate and Swanson Machinery. He was a graduate of Spanishburg High School, West Liberty University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. Survivors include his wife, Melanie Stone Karnes; three children, Amanda Sands and husband Greg of Spanishburg, Matthew Karnes and fiancee Vanessa Shrader of Princeton, and Angela Proffitt and husband Jerry of Bluefield and one granddaughter, Alexis Proffitt. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of Rev. Karnes may be made to Amedisys Hospice Care, 3879 Maple Acres Road, Bluefield, WV 24701. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.
Rev. Lewis Carroll Pope Jr., (M.Div., 1983), 66, of Winnsboro, South Carolina, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 23, 2015. He was born July 20, 1949, in Columbia, South Carolina, and was a son of the late Lewis Carroll Pope, Sr. and Edith Inez Porter. He was a 1971 graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he majored in physical education. He was a member of the India Company of the Third Battalion. He held the Cadet rank of corporal, sergeant, and second lieutenant. He played football for The Citadel and later served as the team manager. He was also on the wrestling team, was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Semper Fidelis Society, and was president of that Society his senior year. He was also a member of the Physical Education Club and The Citadel “C” Club (designating a varsity athlete). He held a U.S. Marine Corps contract and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps upon his graduation. He was an honored “Double Dog” meaning he was a Citadel (Bulldog) graduate and a Marine Corps (Devil Dog) officer. He served in the Marine Corps for several years before retiring as a captain. He then entered Asbury Theological Seminary where he became an ordained United Methodist Church minister. He also became a licensed marriage and family counselor as well as a drug and alcohol counselor. He served several churches in South Carolina before retiring on disability in 2004. He was a beloved minister who continued to serve those in need. He loved living out on the family land and enjoyed his hobbies of playing music, storytelling, reading, and genealogical research. He is survived by his wife, Natalie Paige Adams, whom he married May 21, 2011; a daughter, Rebecca Hamilton Spence (Brandon Spence); a son, Tanner Carroll Pope (Kimberly Hair Pope); and four grandchildren, Mathew Carroll Spence, Josephine Hamilton Spence, Emma Clare Pope, and Tucker Carroll Pope. He is also survived by two brothers, John “Jack” Porter Pope (Virginia Hilden) and William Fredric Pope (Pattie Barfield). Memorial donations may be made to: The Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 and to Salkehatchie, a ministry of the South Carolina Methodist Church, 4908 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.popefuneralhomesc.com.
Rev. Willard A. Rowell, (B.Div. and M.Th., 1959),87, surrounded by his beloved wife and family, moved out of an earthly tent into a beautiful mansion on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, and was welcomed by the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Born on a farm in Pekin, Illinois, he was a son of the late Edward A. and Effie Blanche (Hull) Rowell. He was called into the ministry and attended Fort Wayne Bible College, where he met the love of his life, Carolyn, who became his wife of 62 years. Positions held while pursuing his education included factory worker, truck driver, and general laborer. After graduating from college with a Bachelor of Theology degree, he started a church in Eureka, Illinois, and then attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he received both a Bachelor of Divinity degree and a Master of Theology degree. After working his way through seminary as a carpenter and pastoring High Bridge Union Church in High Bridge, Kentucky., he then became the second pastor of Brookside Evangelical Mennonite Church, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with full ministerial responsibilities for the church, as well as secretarial and custodial duties. He returned to his alma mater, Fort Wayne Bible College, where he held the positions of Dean of Men, Acting Dean of Students, and Associate Professor, while he pursued and attained his Master of Science in Education degree (with an emphasis in Psychology). He later became a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the state of Indiana. He excelled in gardening and using his woodworking skills to remodel houses and create beautiful furniture. His desire that people come to faith in Christ (he trusted Jesus to be his Savior at the age of 8) led him to hand out gospel tracts to people he met in daily life. Although he would be uncomfortable with the following praise, it would be accurate to call him a humble, hard-working man’s man, who was frugal with himself while generous with others and the work of God’s kingdom. He was a deep thinker, a writer, a wise advice-giver, and a quote collector. He was courageous, patient, and a great provider for those he loved, tender to the things of God, and a prayer warrior who believed God could and would supply every need. He had a lifelong passion for Jesus, love for the Bible, joy in hearing the gospel proclaimed in word and song, and an unquenchable desire to serve. He demonstrated unconditional love and commitment to his wife and children. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of New Haven; son, Gary Rowell of Indiana; daughter, Lyn Rowell of Tennessee; three brothers, Howard (Melba) Rowell, Robert (Shirley) Rowell, and Wayne (Lurelle) Rowell; two sisters-in-law, Carol Click and Veda Rowell; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Earl Rowell, and Clarence Rowell; and sisters, Ina (Glenn) Rocke, Marjorie (Harry) Cordell, and Doris (Weldon) Birkey.
Ina (nee Jackson) Sargent, (M.R.E., 1950), 90, passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by family. Ina went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 22, 2015. Ina was cherished by her family and friends who will miss her beautiful spirit, her independence, and her infectious laugh. She joins her husband Osmond, and is survived by her sons Bruce (Nancy) of Ottawa, and Brian (Anita) of Fredericton, and by her grandchildren Beth (Bud) Fisher, Ryan (Heather) of Toronto, and Nathan who is currently studying in Japan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse.
Rev. John J. Venezia, (M.Div., 1949), 90, entered the Heavenly Kingdom surrounded by his family and friends on October 6, 2015 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center in Ava, Missouri. John was born April 1, 1925 in Mount Vernon, Illinois, to Nickolas and Vita (Ancona) Venezia. When John was 12 years old his father died suddenly and his oldest sister Rosa took over the role of providing for the family. It was her actions that kept this family together and John was able to finish his high school and attend college. John was attending Asbury Theological Seminary as a Junior when he received his “I need you letter” from Uncle Sam in 1945 and was on his way to the Philippines five days out from San Francisco Bay when Japan surrendered unconditionally. He continued on to the Philippines and served as a chaplain’s assistant on the Island of Luzon, the largest of the Philippine Islands. He assisted in building at least one church in the Philippines. On the completion of his military service he returned to Asbury and finished his education, graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY in 1949 with a Master of Divinity Degree. He started his ministry in the Methodist Church as a Circuit Preacher pastoring 3 churches in the Dunkinville Ohio area, he then went to the Reedsville circuit with 5 churches including Reedsville, Tuppers Plains, Longbottom, Joppa and Scottown. It was in Westminister, Ohio while pastoring a church there that he met, Doris Louise Goldsmith. They were wed on December 31, 1954, and to this union three girls were born, Sarah Ann, Mary Alice, and Martha Louise. When the children were of school age John and Doris started working at Christian Schools so that the girls would have a Christian education, starting in Central Ohio and Indiana and eventually winding up in Ava, Missouri at the Mt. Zion Bible School. John’s life took a rather dark turn in the early 1980’s when, on June 22, 1982, Doris passed away after a long illness. There was a brighter future ahead for John when in November 3, 1988 he was blessed with another lady in his life. He married Thelma Margaret (Humes) McNamer, who had lost her first husband quite a number of years earlier. John made his home in Springfield, Missouri with Thelma until 1998, when he moved back to Mt. Zion Bible School, to help again with teaching and the maintenance work. John was preceded in death by Doris, the first love of his life, his parents, a grandson, Reechon Michael Jathe Frye, and a granddaughter Brenda JoyceAnn Nelson. 6 brothers Vito, Tony, Venzie, Frank, Charlie and Joseph, and three sisters Rosie, Lena, and Anne. Survivors include Thelma of the home, three daughters, Sarah Ann Nelson, and husband Mitch, Mary Alice Wheeler, and husband Royce, and Martha Louise Frye, and husband Mike, five grandchildren, Ruiz Allen Wheeler, Benjamin David Nelson, Charles Michael Lane Wheeler, Alicia Ruth (Wheeler) McFarlin, and Stephen Darrell Nelson, four great-grand children and one stepgreat-grand child, stepchildren Patricia Joy Stanton, Robert Glenn McNamer, Jerrel D. McNamer, and Cheryl Dawn Evans, ten step grand children, and twelve stepgreat-grand children, also a veritable host of cousins nieces and nephews. John will be missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers the family would request memorial contributions to be made to the Mt. Zion Bible School, or to the Mt. Zion Cemetery.
Rev. Charles J. Warner, (B.Div., 1952), 91, of Edgewater, Florida, died October 6, 2015 at home with his family after a long period of declining health. He was born October 5, 1924, in Middleburgh, New York, to Lawrence and Minnie (McBain) Warner and was educated in the Middleburgh schools. He served in the Navy from 1943-1946, including a tour of duty on an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. After discharge, Charles married Rose Buschynski on August 17, 1946 and completed his college education at Asbury College, followed by a degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1952. Rev. Warner served charges in the former Troy (New York) Conference of the Methodist Church in Speculator, Lake Pleasant, and Wells; McKownville (Albany); Pawling Avenue (Troy); and Hudson Falls, between 1952-1990. After he and Rose retired to Edgewater, Florida, he served part-time as the Minister of Visitation at Coronado Community United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach for 14 years. In addition to his wife of 69 years, Rose, he is survived by daughter Nancy, of Laurinburg, North Carolina; son Mark, of Moreau, New York; Bonnie Kelley of Laurin-burg, North Carolina and Kelly Warner of Moreau, New York, who were daughters in his heart; sister-in-law Helen Wardwell, of Edgewater; grandchildren Hannah, Jonathan, Katie, Hayley, Jamie, Keri, and Anthony; and great-grandchildren Sophia and Tierney. He was predeceased by daughter Cindy; his parents; and three sisters and two brothers. Special thanks to VITAS Healthcare/Hospice of New Smyrna Beach, who helped Charles make his transition to heaven gently and with dignity. Share a memory with the family at www.BaldwinCremation.com .
Thanks for including my brother’s obituary among the Asbury Alumni. I would have been a student at the Seminary also, but without a degree from an accredited school, such as Miltonvale Wesleyan College, Asbury Seminary was not permitted to accept my application in 1950. The seminary was on probation at the time due to an aberration with a doctrinal matter and practices on campus. Historians may want to check this out for details and accuracy. May God’s best and highest accreditation continue at Asbury Seminary. Wayne E. Caldwell, Th.D.