Obituaries-August 2016
Dr. Evyn M. Adams (B. Div., 1948), 94, formerly of Hilo and Kona, died on March 4th at Franciscan Hospice House in Tacoma, Washington. Born in Karuizawa, Japan, he was a retired missionary, clergyman and professor of religious studies at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Memorial and graveside services will be Thanksgiving Weekend at Lanakila Congregational Church in Kainaliu, where he was pastor for 12 years.
David J. Hill, Comins (M.Div., 1976), 70, died suddenly on July 7, 2016 while vacationing in St. Maarten . He was born January 19, 1946 In Isabella County to the late Donald And Trula Hill. He grew up in the U.P., graduating from Cooks High School in 1964, Asbury College In 1971, Asbury Theological Seminary In 1976, and Central Michigan University in 1990. He served in the US Army in S. Korea during the Vietnam War. David was the pastor at New Beginnings Ministry In Hillman, MI. He was also the former owner of Captured Moments Photography, a counselor for Blue Care Network, an instructor for Great Lakes College, and served as the pastor of several Methodist Churches. David is survived by his wife, Jean.
Rev. Elmer James Faust (B.Div., 1966), 88, passed away of natural causes on Friday, July 1, 2016 at Eaton Community Palliative Care in Charlotte, Michigan . Elmer was surrounded by his loving wife and children. . Elmer Faust was born on a farm near Memphis, Michigan on March 5, 1928, the seventh of eleven children born to Grace Lena and Charles Otis Faust. Elmer grew up on a family farm during the Depression years learning many life lessons from his parents. He was active in sports. He committed his life to Jesus Christ as a junior in high school under the ministry of Pastor Edith Smith of Riley Center Methodist Church in Riley Center, Michigan. It was also during these early years on the farm that he met his future wife, the daughter of a neighboring farmer, Wilma Mae Hulett. In his twentieth year he felt the call of the Holy Spirit to Christian Ministry and also asked Wilma to join him on this journey. After they were married in October, 1948, he began his higher education in preparation for pastoral service. His education began at Vennard Bible College in Oskaloosa, Iowa in 1951. After graduation with a Bible Degree, he and his family returned to Michigan where he completed his Bachelors Degree at Central Michigan University and then, later, attained his Bachelor of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Elmer’s entire professional career was dedicated to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing Christian pastoral care and mentoring non-believers and believers to help them come to faith and grow in it. The churches he served included Eddyville Methodist Church in Eddyville, Iowa, Blanchard Methodist Church in Blanchard, Michigan, Hesperia Methodist Church and Ferry Methodist Church as a dual charge in Hesperia and Ferry, Michigan, Dunaway Methodist Church in Trapp, Kentucky, Empire United Methodist Church and Leland United Methodist Church as a dual charge in Empire and Leland, Michigan, Charlevoix United Methodist Church and Greensky Hill Indian Methodist Church in Charlevoix, Michigan, and finally Faith United Methodist Church in Delton, Michigan. He retired from full-time ministry there after open-heart surgery in 1990.
Forrest D. King (M.Div., 1994), 69, beloved husband, father, son, and brother received his final wish to be with Jesus on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at his home in Charlotte, NC. He was surrounded by his loving family. Born in Charlotte on June 20, 1947, the son of Frances Dunn King and the late Rudolph Forrest King, he grew up spending as much time outdoors as possible hunting, fishing, playing golf, and enjoying both the beach and mountains. Forrest graduated from Myers Park High School in 1965, and recently enjoyed his 50th high school reunion with his long-time buddies. After serving in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, he obtained degrees from Wingate University (Business) and UNCC Charlotte (Accounting). After a number of years in the accounting field, he entered Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY to follow his heart and immerse himself in divinity studies. He later took to his other passion of home renovation. A natural craftsman, he built everything from shelving to furniture. He was also a gifted musician, spending hours playing his guitar, listening, and singing along to his favorite “doo-wop” music. Forrest was challenged during his later years with the effects of Huntington’s Disease, but he never lost his capacity for loving, for laughing, and for enjoying the outdoors. In addition to his mother, Frances Dunn Moyle, he is survived by his loving wife, Jenna King.
Lois Biddle Mohansingh (MRE, 66), 92, of Asheville, NC died May 22, 2016 at Brooks-Howell Home. A native of Williamsburg, PA, she was daughter of the late Robert and Grace Biddle. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Samuel Mohansingh in September 2013, her son, Timothy in 1994 and two brothers, Robert J. and J. Alfred Biddle. A 1941 graduate of Williamsburg High School, Lois attended Lock Haven State Teachers College, Duke University, Kennedy School of Missions and Cornell University before receiving her Masters of Religious Education from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1966. From an early age, Lois never considered anything other than being a missionary to China. When the Great Depression forced Lois’s family to move to a farm in 1932, this began preparation for years later when she would live in Indian villages. In 1947, thoughts of being a missionary to India began creeping into her heart. She was accepted by the Mission Board in 1948 and learned that her grandmother had been praying for twenty-five years that a missionary would go out from their church. Her first term of service was from 1948-1954 and was mostly spent at Ingraham Institute in Ghaziabad, India where she helped extend vocational training for village Christians out to the villages themselves and down to a residential school for primary age children. While there, she also trained teachers and completed the language study program with three Hindi exams. Lois even voluntarily added a year in Urdu. After earning her M. Sc. In Rural Sociology from Cornell University in 1955, Lois began serving as a district supervisor of women’s work and village mission primary schools in rural Bulandshahr. She was very active working with the teachers, their wives, and ministers to help emphasize Christian life , beliefs and literacy. She remained here for the next six years and also camped in the villages as often as possible. She returned on furlough in 1963 and married Rev. Samuel Mohansingh. She continued the district supervisor work in Hissar with him until they returned to the US in 1965 to study at Asbury Seminary. She received her M.R.E. just ten days before their son Timothy was born. Unable to return to India immediately, they served a rural charge in Central Pennsylvania Conference for two years. They moved to Atlanta, Georgia to further their education at Emory University. Dr. Mohansingh finished the work for his PH.D in 1974 and was offered and accepted a position at Leonard Theological College in Jabalpur, India. During their time at Leonard, Lois taught at the women’s school until their move to Allahabad Bible Seminary in 1977 where she continued teaching English. They moved back to the US in June 1977 due to their son’s health problems where they accepted a charge from the Central Pennsylvania Conference. As a Pastor’s wife, Lois still never lost her heart for missions. She remained active in teaching mission studies, Sunday school and with the United Methodist Women. Retiring to Williamsburg in 1996, the Mohansingh’s soon found themselves involved in programs of Lois’s home church. She accepted the challenge to revitalize the library and created a costume closet for dramas. She even began writing the dramas and skits. The couple finally retired to a quiet life in 2002 at Brooks-Howell Home in Asheville, NC. Dr. Mohansingh died September 3, 2013. Lois is survived by her brother, J. Edward Biddle and his wife, LaDonna of Williamsburg, PA, her sister-in-law Shelvey Biddle, and several nieces and nephews.
Judith Ann Post, (MAR, 87), 77, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, July 11, 2016. She was born on June 3, 1939, in Springfield, the daughter of the late John W. and Kathern (Rhoads). Judith is survived by her siblings, Nora, Iris and Phil; and numerous nieces and nephews. Judith was a member of the Trinity Missionary Church, and a past member of Concerned Women for America. She graduated with her Bachelor of Education from Bethel College and also with her Masters of Arts in Religion from Asbury Theological Seminary. She taught school in Michigan and Ohio and was a missionary for 20 years in Nigeria, South Africa.
George Charles “Charlie” Rhoads (M.Div. 1950), 90, was born In Mitchell, SD. on October 1, 1925. He graduated from Houghton College in 1947, and later Asbury Seminary in 1950. He then went on to serve four Methodist Churches In Indiana (Hazelton, Marion, Elkhart, Hunterstown). Afterwards, he moved To Washington DC in 1959 with his wife, Dolores to join Church Of The Savior, And Later Foundry United Methodist. He was Vice President Of Gelico And IGP Life Insurance Companies, Vice President of Pax World Foundation, and Pastor of Visitation at Fairview Village Church in Eagleville, Pa. While living in Philadelphia, Charlie married former Asbury classmate Annie Ruth Callis in 2000, and moved to Charlotte, NC in 2006. They were members of Providence United Methodist. He is survived by his wife.
Leslie Stanley Stevens (MA., 1985), 55, passed away on June 22, 2016. Leslie was born in Dallas, Texas on May 15, 1961 to William Henry Stanley and Mary Smith. She married Christopher Stanley-Stevens on December 28, 1985, in Dallas, Texas. Leslie was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Stephenville. Survivors include her husband, Christopher Stanley-Stevens of Stephenville.
Rev. Reid W. Stroud (B. Div., 1964), 81, of Mount Joy, PA, entered into his Savior’s arms surrounded by his daughters on July 2, 2016 following a brief illness. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Richard A. and M. Elizabeth Pinkerton Stroud. He was the husband of the late Darlene Wilkenson Stroud for 56 years before her passing in 2014. Reid was raised in the Tioga neighborhood of Philadelphia and graduated from Germantown High School in 1952. He served in the United States Merchant Marines. He earned a B.A. in Communications from Asbury College in Wilmore, KY, and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He later received a Bachelor’s of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Reid served a circuit of three churches in central Kentucky as a student pastor and from 1964-1998 he served eight United Methodist congregations in Philadelphia, Bucks, and Chester Counties. His heart for both Christ and neighbor led him to serve on various boards. He was passionate about history and education, and received a special joy in his grandchildren, having just officiated his grandson’s wedding in May.
Gregory C. Swann (M.Div., 1987), 54, of Circleville, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2016. He was born in Oak Hill, Ohio on March 2, 1962 to Carl U. Swann and the late Shirley (Staten) Swann Carpenter. In addition to his mother, his brother Daniel Staten preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Swann, sons Zachary Swann, Josiah Swann and Joshua Swann, daughters: Emily (Daniel) Edgington and Rachel Swann, and three grandchildren: Teysa, Xander and Jasper. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Greg served in ministry at the following churches: South Salem Parish (1987), Manchester (1989), Gallipolis Grace (1990), Springfield Emery Chapel (1994), Antwerp (2001), Maple Street (2005), Circleville Good Shepherd (2009), Circleville Calvary and Good Shepherd (2010), and Calvary-Circleville and Salem-Kingston (2014). Gregory enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. His kids and grandkids were his life. He also held his missionary trip to Haiti close to his heart.
Fred W. Yazzie (B.Div., 1966), 77, of Farmington, passed from this life Sunday, July 10, 2016 in Shiprock.
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