ALUMNI NEWS - SYMPATHY

Eleanor B. Sapp ('52) passed away at her residence in Tennessee on February 21, 2007. She was born in Illinois and lived most of her life in Long Island, New York. Eleanor was a retired educator and is survived by four sons, Leland, David, Daniel, James, who is an Assistant Professor of Counseling/Psychology at Kentucky Christian University, 2 sisters, Zola Brown and Mae Brown, a brother, Orville and 9 grandchildren.

Doris (Alsop) Burks (Att'd '49-'52) passed on to her next life on March 9th, 2007, at the age of 83. She was the beloved wife of the late Thompson Burks ('45) who taught at CCU for many years. Survivors include her daughter Ann Woods, two grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

Thomas Richard Hoard ('65) went to be with the Lord for whom he ministered on March 9, 2007 at the age of 80. He was born in Elsmere, Kentucky, and was a World War II U.S. Navy Veteran. He is survived by his wife, Betty; son Tim; daughter, Laurie Hoard Snow, step-daughter Carla Reuben; step-son, John McGuire and 3 grandchildren. Services were held at LifeSpring Christian Church in Cincinnati.

Mildred Alberta Walker, ('38) went home to be with the Lord on March 4, 2007 at the age of 90. She was the widow of Felix Walker, ('40) . The two had teamed in ministry for over 50 years at Garrett Church of Christ, Lawrence Christian Church and Cyntheanne Christian Church. Mildred also taught piano and organ. She is survived by four daughters: Patricia LaRue, ('56) ; Sue Ellen Heath, Ann Hockman, ('65) and Rebecca Brown; nine grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. 

Muriel (Paeplow Dusenberry) Perry, (Att'd '53-'56) passed away in Richmond, Virginia on March 2, 2007. She was born in Toledo and was 72 at the time of her death. She married C. Robert Perry in 1983. She is survived by her husband, Bob; daughter, Robin Cook and her husband; her sons Rick Dusenberry; Robert C. Perry and is wife; Tim Perry and his family and Chris Perry and his family and her sister by marriage, Elinor Sutphin. Her only brother, William Paeplow ('55) of South Bend preceded her in death. William's wife Janice was a '54 CCU graduate.

Walter T. Wells, ('81), a blues musician whose energetic showmanship won audiences from blues clubs and radio shows to churches, died March 14, 2007 after suffering a stroke and heart attack at his Burlington, Kentucky home. He was 54. Mr. Wells played all types of music from Piedmont to Chicago Blues, ragtime, classical jazz and bluegrass, but he specialized in acoustic blues. He was employed by the Internal Revenue Service where he was an agent and senior reviewer of employee pension plans. Survivors include his wife, Barbara, mother, Frances of Indianapolis, sister, Martha Rhodes and several cousins.

Jack H. Ballard (1949) of Stone Mountain , Georgia , died from unexpected heart failure on February 21, 2007. He was born in Ashland , Kentucky , on May 5, 1928, the son of the late John H. Ballard and Myrtle Ballard. In his early teenage years, he decided that he would dedicate his life to the service of his God, and he entered the Cincinnati Bible Seminary in 1945. Through a seminary friend, he met the woman who would be his champion and companion for the rest of his life. After he married Charlotte Wilson in 1948, he began to search for a congregation somewhere near the Atlanta home that she so greatly missed. In 1950, at the age of 21, he was called to be the minister of Mount Carmel Christian Church in Decatur , Georgia . Over the next 44 years, he served as the pastor of that church and presided over its growth into the largest Christian church in the southeast. Through his tenure at Mount Carmel, he steered the church's move from a small building in Panthersville on Candler Road to its final location in Stone Mountain . Following his retirement in 1994, he agreed to serve as the interim minister for Northside Christian Church in Marietta -a position that he held while they "looked for a minister" for the next nine years. During that same time, he continued to work as the chief fund raiser and chairman of Church Builders, a ministry that he launched in 1971 and that, to date, has built 74 churches in 23 states and two Canadian provinces. With the help of his lifelong friend Dale Sikes, he continued planning the construction of new churches until the time of his death. Throughout his lifetime, he was blessed with the love of people who sought to assist him in his ministry: the florist who donated the altar flowers every Sunday; the dairy owner who provided milk for the church camp children and land for the church expansion; the children's nursery owners who became the biggest supporters for his work with the Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped; the self-made dinette salesman who would be his constant advocate; and the thousands of friends who so generously supported his attempts to spread the Gospel through the world. To all of these people he was not a reverend or a prelate or a doctor; he was simply Jack, their spiritual companion, and all are beggared by his loss. He is survived by Charlotte, his wife of 58 years; his daughter and son, Pam and John; their spouses, Bill and Rita; and their children, Casey, Jeremy, Mia, Megan, Brent, and Gillian.

Hervey Sewell ('49) went to be with the Lord and his wife of 68 years, Betty, on January 25, 2007 at the age of 89. They married in 1936 and Hervey entered CBS to prepare for the ministry the same year. Even though basketball was a major interest to him, when given the choice of playing ball or a life of ministry he chose the ministry and never regretted his choice. They always worked as a team. Hervey preached and Betty led the music as they served churches in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Even in retirement they began a chapel service at their retirement condo in Arizona. In addition to his ministry he received a Masters degree from Michigan State University and taught school in Michigan and Indian. He was instrumental in starting 3 churches in Richmond, IN, as well as having a major role in starting Great Lakes Christian College. By many he will be remembered as the lifeguard at Rock Lake Christian Assembly in the mid ‘40's and early ‘50's. He is survived by two children, David from Lutz, FL and Judith Saunders ('63) of Vestaburg, MI, 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted in Edmore, MI by son-in-law J.D. Saunders ('61) and grand-son-in-law Roger Penwell.

Hugh D. Morgan, ('38) was called home to be with the Lord he served on January 16, 2007 at the age of 92. He was born and reared in Carroleton, Georgia. He met and married Genevieve Clark while at CCU. Genevieve preceded him in death in 1984 and in 1985 he married Ruth Taylor.  Hugh pastured several thriving churches in Georgia and Southern California. Upon receiving his Doctorate he counseled, helped and impacted others and worked tirelessly through community service organizations. He sat on many boards including the Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, NACC, Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley and served as a past governor of Kiwanis and was member of the Elks for many years. Mr. Morgan owned several mortuaries in California. To anyone who knew him, his generosity and his intelligence were his greatest attributes. In the truest sense, he was “forever a gentleman.”

Seth Wilson ('36) graduated into glory to be with the Lord he loved and served so well on December 11, 2006 at the age of 92.  Seth was born in Maryville, Missouri. He came to Cincinnati Bible Seminary just 10 months after he was baptized and married Anna in 1937 after graduating in 1936. Until 1940 he took graduate classes and taught at CBS until being called to "rescue" a fledgling Christian vocational school called Ozark Christian College in Bentonville, Arkansas. He and Anna survived on farm produce during the war years and a few dollars he received from preaching on weekends. In 1944 they moved to Joplin, Missouri with the college. Seth taught college and seminary for a total of 51 years. He was dean at Ozark from 1940 - 1979, secretary to the trustees from 1942 - 1991, and dean emeritus, 1979 - 2006. He wrote Sunday School lessons and articles for the Christian Standard and The Lookout Magazine. Matt Proctor, President of Ozark, said, "We thank God for the life of this man who helped found the college, taught so many and, though short in stature, has cast a very long shadow for Christ." The library at Ozark is named in his honor. Seth is survived by Anna, their 10 children: Rebecca, Dora, Ben, Lois, Leta, Carl, Judy, Jonathan, Timothy and Joy along with 30 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren, one brother, Johnny ('34, '75) and a sister, Catherine Barker.  

Betty (Stauffer) Foster (1920 - 2006) went to be with her Lord and her husband, Lewis, on November 30, 2006. Betty grew up in Michigan, graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Home Economics in 194. She married Lewis in 1944 after a "whirlwind courtship" of eight years. She stayed home while her four children, Jane ('67), Dennis ('68), Beth ('72), and Gail ('83 ) were young and otherwise taught public school for 28 years. She also taught Home Economics at CCU for several years. In their later years, Betty and Lewis traveled to Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Burma, India, England and Egypt to minister, encourage and train as Ambassadors of the Word.  Her funeral service was conducted by Bob Richards ('60) with many of her 10 grandchildren participating by reading scripture and singing. She also has 10 great-grand children. Her daughter, Gail, told how Betty sometimes had difficulty being on time for church. She said, "Daddy's mock-gruff voice would say, 'Let's go Betty!' After two and a half years of lonely silence since his death, I picture mother hurrying to the gates of heaven being cheered on by Daddy saying, 'Let's go Betty!' as he takes her to open arms of Jesus." (photo)

Ray Brestel ('45) went to be with the Lord on November 29, 2006 at the age of 88. He and his beloved wife Fern had been married for 66 years. Ray was retired from Standard Publishing.  He is survived by his daughters Susan (John) Campbell, Jerilyn (Dick) Clegg and Mary (Bill) Meredeth along with 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Services were held at Christ's Church in Mason, Ohio.

Mary Ann Reusch ('76) passed away on November 28, 2006 from cancer at the age of 53. She had coached women's sports at CCU. She received a Masters from the University of Cincinnati and taught at the Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies in Cincinnati.

Doug Smith ('51) was called to be with the Lord he loved and served on Sunday, October 1, 2006. His life of ministry began as the part-time minister at Mt. Washington when he was a junior at CBS. He continued his ministry there until 1955 when he went to the North Seventh Street Church of Christ in Hamilton, Ohio where he remained until 1976. Many were brought to the Lord during his 21 years there. In one revival led by Reggie Thomas, also in the class of '51, they had over 120 additions. His next ministry was with the University Christian Church in Manhattan, Kansas. In 1981 he began working with the Edward Jones Company and also preaching for the Woodlawn Christian Church in Denison, Texas. Upon retirement in 1995, he moved to Mason, Ohio and became active at Lakota Christian. He was a founding member of the board that established Mt. Healthy Christian Home and Mason Christian Village and was inducted into the CBA's Hall of Fame. While serving as President of the CCU Alumni Association he led in raising funds for construction of Alumni Hall and right up until his death continued to raise funds and be a loyal and active supporter of his beloved alma mater. He is survived by his wife, Lois ('51), son Robin ('75), daughter Heather ('78) Smith, three grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Geneva Giles Burton ('77), widow of Richard Burton ('51), went to be with her Lord on October 20, 2006 at the age of 88. Richard and Geneva met as students at The Cincinnati Bible Seminary and celebrated 60 years of marriage in 1999. Those 60 years were spent serving together in ministries in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky . The final 18 years were with Corinth Christian Church in Stamping Ground, Kentucky . Geneva served as assistant librarian at CBS from 1967 until her retirement in 1983. She received her BS degree in 1977 and was the recipient of the Delta Alep Tau award for distinguished service and scholarship. Surviving are her daughter, Dr. Rosalyn (Dr. Kail) Ruffner, her son, Dr. Richard G. (Ann) Burton, four grandchildren and a great-grand-daughter. Funeral services were conducted in Grayson with Roger Rankin ('51) and Dr. Kail Ruffner ('61,'78).

Robert H. Schondelmayer passed away peacefully on August 15, 2006 to meet his Lord and many family members and friends who have gone before.  The son of a minister, Bob graduated from CBS in 1942 and never ceased being a minister. He loved his alma mater. He and his family went to the Philippines in 1947 and served for 3 years being unable to return because of the Korean War.  Bob served congregations in Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia. His last ministry was in Midland, Michigan where he served for 10 years. Following his retirement from fulltime ministry in 1989, he continued to preach revivals, served as a teacher and acted as interim minister where needed. Surviving are his wife Gloria, children Paul, Timothy, Mary Beth and their spouses, daughter in law Judy, along with 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie, son David and brothers, H. Reign and Harold.

Ralph Rhoads Harter, 81, went to be with the Lord he loved and served on Sunday, May 14 th, 2006. Ralph committed his life to Christ in 1935 and graduated from CCU in 1946. He went to India in 1947 and had been involved in mission work in Kanpur for nearly 50 years. He spoke Hindu, authored several books and founded and operated one of the few Christian book stores in India. His evangelistic efforts also resulted in the founding of several churches. Ralph was known for his unique sense of humor, his love of opera and his humble spirit. He passed away at the Canton Christian Home.

Flora Mason Lewis ('56) went to be with her Lord on Feb. 14, 2006 at the age of 71 after a six-month battle with a very rare type of cancer. She is survived by her husband, Bob, four children, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and her brother Lee ('67), editor of Restoration Herald. Services were held at Huntington Beach First Christian, California. Flora was a soloist and accompanist while a student at CCU. After graduation, she became the secretary and youth director in Angola , IN, then moved to Toronto to work with Toronto Christian Mission. In 1963, at the invitation of Thomas Overton, Flora became the secretary of the First Christian Church in Huntington Beach, CA until she retired in 1988. Floyd Strater conducted a family graveside service followed by the memorial service officiated by Bruce Templeton (Att'd). Don Sewell, Janet Overton, members of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and a quartet from Leo Baeck Temple provided music.

Ernest L. Barrett ('65) passed from this life to be with the Lord on March 6, 2006 at Anderson Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati. Tom Claibourne ('79,'88) and David Shelton ('60) conducted the memorial service in Seaman, Ohio. Ernest held ministries in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, West Virginia and Tennessee. For the last eight years he ministered with the Seamon, Ohio Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife, Pat, three sons and a daughter and eight grandchildren.

We were saddened to hear of the death of Margaret Bolejack (Attd '45) at Mt Healthy Christian Home on August 8, 2005. Our prayers are with her children Mrs. Barbara Smith ('61) and Arlin ('72).

We will greatly miss Jim Allen ('54, '58) who died in August of 2005. He had been a teacher and principal in the Corona CA public schools until retiring. He was active in the Crossroads Christian Church of Corona . During the last 5 summers he had gone to China to teach English as a mission project. During his visit this summer he fell and broke his shoulder. He was transported to Hong Kong for treatment, including having five pins inserted. It was while in the hospital that he died suddenly. Please pray for his three children, Christopher, Jonathon and Amy.

David Daum ('83) passed away on August 29, 2005 at the age of 61 after a two year battle with cancer. He left a lucrative family furniture business in Xenia, Ohio to enroll at CCU to prepare for ministry. He was the Senior Minister at the Orville, Ohio Christian Church from 1989 until his death. He is survived by his widow, Charlotte, and their two sons, Tony and Chris. In his memory, Lakeview Bible College and Seminary in Chennai, India, instituted the David Daum Award for Excellence in Christian Ministry .

Our sympathy goes out to Dr. Elizabeth Young (att'd '94) whose husband, John, went to be with the Lord on August 18, 2005 , after a number of years of prolonged illness. The Young's have been working with the Indians in the Puget Sound area.

Our sympathy is extended to the family of Ruth Vivian Engle Mackey who went to be with the Lord on December 22, 2005 at the age of 92. All of her children are graduates of CCU; Christine Cook ('58), William Howard ('48), Charles ('66), and Tom ('65). Her memorial service was held at Hillsboro , Ohio Church of Christ where she had been a member for most of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband Howard (att'd '24-'26) who passed away in 1975.

W.E. McGilvrey, ('39) went to be with the Lord on March 24, 2005 . Many of us remember him for his years of ministry with Mission Services and Horizon magazine. Pray for his children during their time of grieving and loss - Ruth Davis ('62) married to Ron Davis ('63, former professor at CCU), daughter, Rachel Ritchey (att'd), son Mark ('71), daughter Mary (att'd), wife of one of our CCU trustees, Ross Pepper ('73) and daughter Martha Metz ('75).

Phyllis Mae Spinks McDorman (att'd ) died September 20, 2005 , due to complications from a stroke. Phyllis was a 4-H leader, Girl Scout leader and Sunday school teacher who thought she wasn't doing anything worthwhile unless she was teaching children. Our prayers go out to her husband, Paul ('65) , son Perry and daughter Pamela Mullins.

Our hearts were saddened to hear of the passing of Gloria Green, mother of Patty (Green, '75) Bythewood , on October 4, 2005 . She will be greatly missed as well, by her loving husband, Gerry, Patty's husband, Courtenay ('75), their children Kristen and Brent, and son Randy Green, his wife Connie, and their children Chelsea and Chad .

William W. Wilson , 87, (Class of '40) of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 21, 2005 . He was preceded in death by his faithful and beloved wife of 55 years, Anna Wallace. He is survived by three daughters and their husbands, Rainelle W. Currier (Doug), Billie Ann Lilly (Tom), and Judith W. Ward (Jim); nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elva Curl Richardson and Eleanor Plank. Mr. Wilson was Minister Emeritus of Fairmount Christian Church, where he actively served from 1940 to 1980. Louis Wetzel ('40) went to be with the Lord on August 28, 2005 at the age of 86. Professor Wetzel had studied at CBS, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and the University of Denver. He was the Professor of Speech at CCU. He is survived by his widow, Pearline ('43) who lives in Lakewood, Colorado. Dorothy Hoven (Att'd) went to heaven to join her husband, Ard ('36,'37), on January 15, 2006. She was 94. Dorothy and Ard had successful ministries at Chase Avenue Church of Christ in Cincinnati , Broadway Christian in Lexington and First Christian in Columbus , Indiana . As a minister's wife, she served in many capacities as a teacher, leader and public speaker. Ard was one of the founding members of the Christians' Hour Radio Broadcast and was the voice of the Christians' Hour for 44 consecutive years. Dorothy mentored many young women who would become active as minister's wives while Ard was on the faculty of Kentucky Christian. She was a member of Tate's Creek in Lexington where she taught Sunday School and was active in many other ways. She was a collector of antiques which led her to England , Ireland , Germany , Switzerland and Austria . She was also an active community volunteer involved in Girl Scouts, Garden Clubs, P.E.O. and Homemakers organizations. She is survived by two daughters and son-in-laws and a granddaughter, all of Lexington . Roy C Goldsberry ('53) graduated into glory on Christmas day, 2005. He was 81. Roy served as a minister and missionary in the United States, Nigeria and Italy for over 45 yers. He and his wife, Barbara, were the first Christian Church missionaries from the United States to serve in Nigeria . Memorial services were held at the First Christian Church of Fairburn, Georgia with Keith Davenport(Att'd) officiating. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, two daughters and their husbands and three grandchildren. Our sympathy is extended to the family of Russell Casey ('46, '58) who went to be with the Lord and King on January 19, 2006. He was 88. After graduation from CCU he ministered to churches in Hampton and Marshalltown, Iowa and Sapulpa, Oklahoma for 65 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ollie Mae ('47) and his son, David. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Elaine ('01) and Jim Hutchinson ('77), grandchildren Kimberely ('98) and David ('00), brother John ('48) and sister-in-law Helen (Att'd).