Alumni Obituaries- September 2015
Rev. Alva Ellsworth Beers, (M.Div., 1980), 81, husband of Diane Burson Beers, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2015. He was born on July 11, 1934 in Ashland, Ohio to the late Alva and Ruth Idele Adrience Beers. Alva was both a retired Methodist Minister and also a retiree from the United States Air Force where he had retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of service. He held a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State, Master Degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Business Management from the Air Force, and a Masters Degree in Divinity from Asbury seminary. Alva was also a member of the Bethel Harvest Church. Survivors also include two sons, Michael David (Mabel Bandy) Beers and Alva E. (Connie Kennedy) Beers; one sister-in-law, Helen Beers, seventeen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Mrs. Terri Lynn (Doverspike) Gruver, 51, of Pittsfield, Pennsylvania, went to be with her Lord on Monday, August 10, 2015. Terri was born on February 20, 1964, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a daughter to Rev. Fred and Constance (Cuddy) Doverspike. She graduated from General McLane High School, Asbury College, and Eastern Kentucky University. Terri married her elementary school sweetheart, Steve Gruver (A.T.S. M.Div., 1993) on June 21, 1986. In addition to her parents and husband, Terri is survived by a daughter, Devon Zweifel, and her husband Tyler; a son, B. Eli Gruver and his wife, Katie; an older sister, Pam Jones, and family; an older brother, Troy Doverspike; a younger brother, Eric Doverspike, and family; and a younger sister, Staci Lee, and family. Terri was an elementary school teacher and elementary school counselor. One of her greatest joys was having the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. A joy she shared with her husband, Steve, was being able to travel on motorcycle to much of the United States and Canada. Her biggest joy was the opportunity to share God’s love with children, family and friends in many different ways. Jesus Christ was her Hope! “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. God used Terri’s cancer to glorify Him. For us, this is the end of Terri’s story and we can most truly say that she lived happily ever after. But, for Terri, it was only the beginning of the real story. All her life in this world and all her adventures on earth had only been the cover and title page; now, at last, she is beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever, in which every chapter is better than the one before (C.S. Lewis). In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be made to Bethel Park Campmeeting, P.O. Box 58, Fishertown, PA 15539, or Wesley Woods, 1001 Fiddlersgreen Road, Grand Valley, PA 16420.
The Rev. Anna D. Gulick, (M.Div., 1983), 96, was born on Wednesday, September 11 of 1918 and passed away peacefully in Wilmore, Kentucky on Friday, August 21 of 2015. She was a single missionary in Japan after World War II. She has mentored and provided support for many ATS students and alumni. We give thanks for her life and her ministry.
Mrs. Rita Hogsett Yackley Russell, (M.A., 2000), 64, of Ashland, the wife of David A. Russell, passed away Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, in Cabell Huntington Hospital. She was born April 18, 1951, in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to the late Randall M. Hogsett Jr. and Myrtle Ellen Hogsett. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Debra Humphreys. Rita was a member of South Ashland United Methodist Church and an active volunteer at Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center in Ashland. She was a graduate of Huntington East High School, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and the Asbury Theological Seminary. She is survived by a son, Tom (Michelle) Yackley, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; a daughter, Jennifer (Mike) Rein, of Charlotte, North Carolina; four grandchildren: Owen Yackley and Nathan, Abbey and Corbin Rein; two sisters, Edna Diane (Roger) Cole, of Proctorville, Ohio, and Susan (Jack) Hisey, of The Villages, Florida; two brothers, Randy (Amy) Hogsett of Barboursville, West Virginia, and Samuel Hogsett of Crown City, Ohio; 10 nephews and nieces: Casey Humphreys, Tim Humphreys, Tara (Mark) Scarberry, Elizabeth Brignoni, Amber Graves, Kara Hogsett, Miranda Hogsett, Ally (Stephen) Roy, Bethany Hogsett, and Nicci (Dwayne) Johnson; 16 great-nephews and great-nieces; four aunts; and many cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center or South Ashland United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent to steenfuneralhome.com.
Rev. Melvin L. Schaper, (B.A. Div., 1947), 95, departed this life on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, in Ochelata, Oklahoma. Melvin Louis Schaper was born Aug. 30, 1920 in Troy, Missouri, the first child of Albert Henry and Willie Mae (Conley) Schaper. He grew up on the family farm and was his father’s main helper. He began high school at age 18, after his younger siblings were able to help carry the load at home. After graduation he went on to college, obtaining several degrees. He attended God’s Bible School and the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1941-1943, then transferred to Greenville College in Illinois. He earned degrees in Education and Theology: B.A., Greenville College 1945; B.D. (now MDiv), Asbury Theological Seminary 1947; Th.M., Princeton Theological Seminary, 1948; and M.S. Ed., Pittsburg State Teachers College, 1962. He later received an Honorary Doctorate of Ministries degree from God’s Bible School. He was married to Carol Joy Firkins on Nov. 11, 1948, in Downey, California, and they moved to Independence where they assisted in founding the Independence Bible School. Seven children were born into their loving home at Independence: Nathan Louis, Ruth Elizabeth, Charles Melvin, Albert Keith, Stephen Neil, Quentin Philip, and Kent Firkins. In 1964, God called Melvin and Joy to the island of Grenada, where together they founded the St. John’s Christian Secondary School. Melvin also taught at Independence Junior College, Pittsburg State Teachers College Lab School, Kansas City College and Bible School, and God’s Bible School and College. He was a licensed minister of the Bible Holiness Church (formerly Fire Baptized Holiness Church) headquartered in Independence, and a member of the Bible Holiness Church, Ochelata. Rev. Schaper pastored churches in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Grenada, as well as serving on various governing boards and leadership positions for his denomination. He also served on the Board of God’s Bible School in Ohio. In 2001, Rev. and Mrs. Schaper were honored by the Prime Minister and Gov. General of Grenada for outstanding service in the field of education in the nation. He was also recently given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Committee of the Grenada 2015 Award Week, as the Principal who had the most uplifting impact in Grenada during the decade of the 1970s. One of the hardest days of his life was Nov. 12, 2010, when God called his loving wife Joy home to heaven. On Oct. 26, 2013, Melvin was united in marriage to Evalyn Rose Nielsen in Bethany, Oklahoma. For the last 22 months of his life, Evalyn beautified his home with her loving ways and beautiful paintings. His first love, after God, was his family. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed gardening, traveling and spending time with family and many friends. He leaves to mourn: his wife Evalyn of the home; seven children: Nathan, Ruth, Charles, Albert, Stephen, Quentin, and Kent; five daughters-in-law: Diane, Janette, Della, Lavonna, and Pam; one son-in-law Gary Schenck; 23 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren, one sister Irene Bergfeld, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He also leaves his church family in both the U.S. and Grenada, as well as present and past students and faculty of the Independence Bible School, St. John’s Christian Secondary School, and God’s Bible School. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol Joy Schaper; his parents; one sister, Mildred Miller; three brothers, Benjamin, Albert Jr., and John; and one great-grandson Austin Hollenbeck.
Rev. William Thomas Trimble Jr., (M.Div., 1991), 51, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, at Agrace Center for Hospice and Palliative Care with his family by his side. He was born on Dec. 27, 1963, in Zarephath, New Jersey, the son of the late William and Patricia (Sassman) Trimble. Bill graduated from Point Park University in 1982, with a degree in journalism and communications. For a short season he worked at a radio station in Cincinnati, OH, but he ultimately knew that he had a call on his life to serve as a pastor. Bill attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY, and graduated in 1991, with a Masters of Divinity degree. He was ordained in the Free Methodist Church and served as a pastor in churches in Ohio and Indiana. Most recently, Bill was working as a hospital chaplain. Bill had a great love for his Lord, Jesus Christ and for people. Bill was a wonderful husband, father, friend, and pastor. He was never without a smile and was a friend to everyone he met. He married Tracey (Metcalf) Trimble on July 18, 2009, and they lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, until their recent move to Janesville. Bill is survived by his wife, Tracey Trimble; his beautiful daughter, Catherine Grace Trimble; two siblings, Gary (Joan) Trimble of West Barnstable, Massachusetts, and Gail Hornung of Clearfield, Pennsylvania; mother-in-law, Sandy Metcalf; brother-in-law, Tom Metcalf of Janesville; nephews: Liam, Rory, and Daniel Trimble, and Joe Hornung; nieces: Danielle (Justin) Gunderson, Hallie Metcalf, and Niki Metcalf. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Judy; and his first wife, Jan Trimble. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Bill’s life with designated donations to International Child Care Ministries. This is the sponsorship program of the Free Methodist Church. httpn: www.childcareministries.org/give/index.php
Rev. David W. Warren, (M.Div.,1983), 61, of Panama City, passed away on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 in his home. He was born on Dec. 28, 1953 in Panama City, Fla. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Alabama. He graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. He was a minister in The Alabama West Florida Conference for 42 years. His father, the Rev. R. C. Warren preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Dian Harris Warren; son, Aaron M. Warren (Natalie); daughters, Hannah Warren Taylor (Ben) and Rebekah Warren Williams (Rich); five grandchildren: Warren Taylor, Helen Taylor, Tripp Williams, Moyer Williams, and Judson Warren; mother, Ingrid Torgerson Warren; three brothers: Robert C. Warren (Pat), Steven D. Warren (Lisa), Joel K. Warren (Renee’); brother-in-laws Jimmy Harris (Ann), and Bobby Harris (Judy); and a host of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the David Warren Youth Wing, First United Methodist Church, 903 East 4th St. Panama City, FL 32401 or to the American Cancer Society, Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge, 1104 Ireland Way, Birmingham, AL 35205-7010
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