Obituaries for 2012

ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF OBITUARIES

Martha E. (Taylor) Blackmore, 90, of Tulsa, OK (formerly of Hillsboro, OH), died Feb. 18, 2012. Born in Mitchell, IN, on Aug. 30, 1921, to LaVerne and Martha Taylor, she grew up a preacher”s kid as her father ministered in Hillsboro, OH (1918-21), and then for many years in Springfield, IL. She graduated from Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary in 1943, and studied vocal music for four years at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She married Roy C. Blackmore in 1943, and served with him in a ministry in Louisville, KY. They were a singing and preaching revival team for three years, conducting local church revivals in 10 states. They ministered with the First Christian Church, Flora, IL, from 1951 to 1961, and then served with East Tulsa (OK) Christian Church from 1961 to 1985. During their local ministry, she was a soloist, choir member, teacher, directed VBS and youth drama, and was a speaker for the North American Christian Convention in Tulsa, OK. In addition to her widower, Roy, she is survived by three sons, Philip, Timothy, and Mark; and several grandchildren, one stepgrandson, one great-granddaughter, and stepgreat-grandsons. A celebration service for her life was conducted Feb. 22 at Broken Arrow, OK, with a graveside service following at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, OK.

Paul B. Childers, 95, of Louisville, KY, died April 21, 2012, at his residence after a brief illness. He was born in Huntington, WV, on June 28, 1916. He worked for Owens-Illinois Glass Co. In 1958, at age 42, he became a Timothy of the Sixth Avenue Church of Christ when he entered Cincinnati Bible Seminary to prepare for the ministry. While at the seminary, he worked as bursar, dean of men, and men”s softball coach. He worked as head of the accounting department at Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH, before being called as minister to seniors at Okolona Christian Church, Louisville, KY. He held that position for more than 30 years until his retirement. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Mary Ernestine Fodal Childers. He is survived by one daughter, Judy Meneely of Louisville, KY; three grandsons; and five great-grandchildren. Services were conducted April 27 at Okolona Christian Church, with interment April 28 at Woodmere Memorial Park in Huntington, WV. Memorial contributions may be made to Pine Haven Christian Children”s Ranch, P.O. Box 940, St. Ignatius, MT 59865.

Norma Jean Clark, 82, of Maryville, MO, died June 14, 2012, at the Heartland Hospital in St. Joseph, MO. She was born Feb. 2, 1930, in Scottsbluff County, NE, to Chester C.B. and Ruth Marie (Johnson) Piersol. She was a 1949 graduate of the Scottsbluff High School and received her BA in 1955 from Minnesota Bible College in Minneapolis. She had been a piano teacher all her adult life. She had been a resident of Maryville the past nine years. She was a member of the Countryside Christian Church, Maryville, MO, where she had taught the women”s Bible study. On Sept. 9, 1952, she married Duane H. Clark at the Truman (MN) Church of Christ; he survives at their home in Maryville. She is also survived by two sons, Michael of Escondido, CA, and Russ of New Market, IA; two daughters, Sue Bowman of Kansas City, KS, and Janelle Clark of Independence, MO; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Gail Eskstrom and Eloise Johnson, both of Ventura, CA. She was preceded in death by one sister, Kathleen Zlomke. Services were conducted June 23 at the Countryside Christian Church, Maryville, MO, with Vic Coston officiating. Burial was at the Dallas Center Cemetery, New Market, IA. Memorials may be made to the Schools of Haiti, c/o Len Demert, 301 Wioto, Cassville, WI 53806, or to Countryside Christian Church Missions Funds.

Vernon Eaton, 67, of Seymour, TN, died Dec. 3, 2012, in Knoxville, TN. He was the director of degree completion and a professor at Johnson University in Knoxville. He was born Aug. 27, 1945 to Pat and Mildred Eaton in Portland, ME. He received a BA in ministry from Johnson Bible College in 1967, an MDiv in ministry from Emmanuel Christian Seminary in 1975, and in a DMin from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, in 1983. He helped plant two churches: in Ridgeway, VA, where he served as preaching minister of Morgan Ford Christian Church, 1964-69; and the Brownsville (TN) Christian Church, 1975-77, while he was serving as church planter for West Tennessee Evangelizing Association. From 1969-75 he was the preaching minister for First Christian Church, Big Stone Gap, VA, and also helped start a hospital chaplaincy program at the Lonesome Pine Hospital. He served at Lakeshore Christian Church, Nashville, TN, as preaching minister, 1977-83. In 1983 he became professor of practical ministry and dean of students at Mid-South Christian College, Memphis, TN, serving until 1990. In 1991, he began serving as preaching minister with the Church of Christ, Platt Bridge in Wigan, England. He also taught at Springdale College in Birmingham, England. While serving in England, he was the churches of Christ representative on the Joint Liturgical Group, and was editor of the printed Lectionary Readings for the churches. He arrived at Johnson Bible College in 1997 and served as director of degree completion and professor of church history and speech until his death. He was also an elder and taught Sunday school at Gap Creek Christian Church in Knoxville. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Elizabeth Snow Eaton. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Denise Eaton; two daughters, Angel Kauffman and Tina Shell; his father, Pat; stepmother, Louise; one brother, Larry; and five grandchildren. Services were conducted Dec. 6 at Gap Creek Christian Church; burial followed at the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Vernon Eaton Preaching Scholarship at Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998, or to Gap Creek Christian Church, 2102 Kimberlin Heights Road, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Ronnie Roy Hanna, 78, of Aubrey, TX, died Oct. 26, 2012, after a long battle with lung cancer. He was born on Nov. 23, 1933, to Roy Hanna and Velma Ruth Cunningham Hanna in Amarillo, TX. After graduating from Ozark Bible College, Joplin, MO, and Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary, he had ministries in Chouteau, OK, Terre Haute, IN, Dallas, Odessa, and Garland, TX, and most recently in Montrose, CO, where he ministered for 25 years with Montrose Christian Church. He also served in the positions of professor, academic dean, and vice president of Dallas (TX) Christian College for 18 years. In 2007, he retired from the ministry and moved with his wife, Janet, to Aubrey, TX. Most recently, he attended Cornerstone Christian Church in Dallas, TX, where he also served as an elder. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marlene. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Janet; one sister, Rosemary Petty of Boyd, TX; one daughter, Cindy MacFarlane of Carrollton, TX; two sons, Mark of Riverside, CA, and David of Grapevine, TX; and seven grandchildren. Services were Oct. 30 at Cornerstone Christian Church with Ron Key, pastor of Cornerstone Christian Church, and Dusty Rubeck, president of Dallas Christian College, officiating. Interment followed at Restland Cemetery in Dallas. A memorial scholarship fund has been established at Dallas Christian College; make checks payable to Dallas Christian College (2700 Christian Parkway, Dallas, TX 75234), with Ronnie Hanna Memorial Fund in the notation.

William Harold Hockley, 94, of Worthington, OH, died Sept. 18, 2012, at Willow Brook Christian Home. He was born June 5, 1918, at Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan, Canada. After high school, he hitchhiked to Knoxville, TN, to attend Johnson Bible College. While attending graduate school at Butler School of Religion in Indianapolis, IN, he met his future wife, May Maas (Minnesota Bible College, 1940). The couple partnered in ministries at Eminence, IN and Windfall, IN; and retired in 1984 after 34 years serving at Westwood Cheviot Christian Church (now Whitewater Crossing Christian Church) in Cincinnati, OH. The couple”s home was always open for college students, church functions, and visiting missionary families. He was known for his participation and leadership in such Christian church organizations as Ohio Church Development Fund, Christian Evangelizing Fellowship, Christian Missionary Fellowship, Christian Benevolent Association, Christians” Hour radio program (announcer), the North American Christian Convention (1962 president), and a 10-year term as chairman of the board of Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, TN. He received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Kentucky Christian University and a Doctor of Sacred Theology from Milligan College. He was preceded in death by his wife, May, in 2000. He is survived by two daughters, Sharyn Morse of Worthington, OH, and Suzanne Hockley Murry of Madison, WI; six granddaughters; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Audrey Zimmerman. Beechwold Christian Church, Columbus, OH, hosted a visitation Oct. 5. A celebration of life service at Whitewater Crossing Christian Church, Cleves, OH, is being planned. Interment was at Emmanuel Columbarium Wall, Johnson City, TN. He has already been honored by the naming of the Hockley Chapel at Mason (OH) Christian Village retirement complex, Hockley Terrace at Emmanuel Christian Seminary, and the Hockley Prayer Garden at Whitewater Crossing Christian Church. Memorials may be made to Whitewater Crossing Christian Church, 5771 Ohio 128, Cleves, OH 45002; Emmanuel Christian Seminary, One Walker Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601; or Home Reach Hospice, 800 McConnell Drive, Columbus, OH 43214.

Ramona Barnett Huff, 77, died Aug. 23, 2012, at Silverado Senior Living, a facility for Alzheimer”s patients in Escondido, CA, after a five-year battle with dementia. She was born June 5, 1935, in Jeffersonville, OH. She attended Kentucky Christian College, where she met Ken Huff, whom she married in 1954 and served alongside for 58 years. She was an accomplished pianist and organist and played at the churches they served. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Beth Ann and Jennifer Sue. In addition to her widower, Ken, she is survived by one son, Dan of Escondido; one daughter, Amy Colegrove; and eight grandchildren.

Former Milligan College President Dr. Donald R. Jeanes, 66, died Aug. 27, 2012, at the Johnson City (TN) Medical Center of a heart attack. The Atlanta, GA, native was the son of the late Herman C. and Mary Cabe Jeanes. He was a 1968 magna cum laude graduate of Milligan College. After graduation, he served as director of financial aid and assistant to the business manager at Milligan while attending Emmanuel School of Religion, where, in 1972, he received his MDiv degree, with honors. He joined the faculty at Atlanta Christian College, teaching Bible and humanities, and administering the student financial aid program for six years. In 1978, he was named administrative vice president of the college, serving until 1984. During this time, he did doctoral coursework at Emory University. An ordained minister, he served as associate minister and operations manager with First Christian Church (FCC), Johnson City, from 1984-86. He then served as senior minister with Spring Branch Christian Church, Houston, TX, until 1991, when he returned to Johnson City to serve as senior minister with FCC until his selection in 1997 as the 14th president of Milligan College. He served as president of Milligan College from October 1997 until his retirement in July 2011. Upon his retirement, he was named chancellor, holding the position until his death. He served on Milligan”s board from 1981 until his appointment as president. Milligan awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree in 1994. He served on numerous boards, including Christian Missionary Fellowship, Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped, and the North American Christian Convention Continuation Committee, among many others. He was a member of FCC, where he was an elder and Sunday school teacher. He served as a volunteer chaplain at the Johnson City Medical Center for several years. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Clarinda Phillips Jeanes; one daughter, Amy Jeanes Folck of Indianapolis, IN; two grandsons; and one sister, Anne Turner of Flower Mound, TX. Services were Aug. 30 at FCC. Burial was at Washington County Memory Gardens, Johnson City. A celebration of Dr. Jeanes” life was conducted Aug. 31 at Seeger Memorial Chapel, Milligan College, with Eugene Wigginton, Mike Alread, and Jim Pierson officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Don and Clarinda Jeanes Chair of Servant Leadership, P.O. Box 1, Milligan College, TN 37682; or First Christian Church Capital Improvements, 200 E. Mountcastle Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601.

Kenneth Benjamin Kershaw, 82, of Lee”s Summit, MO, died on Nov. 1, 2012. The son of Ben and Ellen Kershaw, he was born in July 27, 1930. He graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, MO, in 1947, and earned a BA in psychology and religion from Bethany (WV) College in 1951, and a BDiv from Texas Christian University”s Brite College of the Bible, in Fort Worth, in 1955. He enjoyed a variety of careers that included being a minister, organizer for the National Conference of Christians and Jews, a salesman, and owner/operator of Software Architects. He was the type of person who works behind the scenes to make the world a better place. He was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Bartlett. He is survived by his widow, Betty; five children, Steven Kershaw, Linda Kershaw Miracle, Sherry Schuster Jones, Pamela Schuster Weyers, and Stuart Schuster; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Services were conducted Nov. 7; burial was at Lee”s Summit (MO) Cemetery.

Mark Koerner, 67, alumni director of Cincinnati (OH) Christian University, died Oct. 31, 2012, in Cincinnati. He was born on June 13, 1945, to a large family that loved the Lord and valued hard work. He was the son of Hazel and Elmer Koerner and grew up on a dairy farm in Edgerton, OH, with his six siblings: Vance, Agnes, Roger, John, Roy, and LaVon. He attended the Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary””as did many of the siblings””and always felt a connection with the school and its purpose. In Cincinnati he met his wife, Vicky Hall Koerner. They were members of Whitewater Crossing Christian Church (formerly Westwood Cheviot Church of Christ) in Cincinnati for 47 years. In addition to his full-time work as a teacher and administrator in the Oak Hills School District, which he served for 36 years, retiring in 2004, he was also employed for more than 35 years as music director at the church, where he balanced and valued both the traditional and contemporary styles. Through the years, he stayed connected with the Bible college and was a mentor to many in a variety of environments. He had served as CCU”s alumni director for eight years. He also recently had assumed a leadership role in the executive offices with CCU President David Faust, who described Koerner as “an encourager, a wise experienced leader, and a big help to all of us.” In addition to his widow, Vicky, he is survived by two children, Jenna of Toledo, OH, and Jason of Lexington, KY (both of whom work in education and serve in their churches); and five grandchildren. Services were conducted at Whitewater Crossing Christian Church. Memorials may be made to the Mark Koerner Education Scholarship at Cincinnati Christian University, 2700 Glenway Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45204.

Charles L. “Charlie” Lee, 79, of Springfield, IL, died April 13, 2012, at St. John”s Hospice. He was born Dec. 12, 1932, in Xenia, IL, the son of Arvel Lee and Lera Lee Pearson. He married Cleo Boyer on Dec. 20, 1953. In addition to his wife of 58 years, he is survived by one son, Michael of Beaver Dam, WI; two daughters, Tjode Tomsu of Waukesha, WI, and Kristy Siegel of Buffalo Grove, IL; seven grandchildren; and two brothers, Roger Pearson of Little Rock, AR, and James Pearson of Pittsburgh, PA. After graduating from Flora (IL) High School in 1950, he attended the University of Illinois for two years, and then Lincoln (IL) Christian University, where he received his bachelor”s degree in 1956 and master”s degree in 1974. He held ministries at the Christian Church of Witt (IL) and Shoals (IN) Christian Church. He joined the staff at West Side Christian Church, Springfield, IL, as associate minister in 1962, a position he held for 35 years, retiring in 1997. After retirement, he held a part-time ministry at West Side for five more years. He then was a part-time associate with Bisch Funeral Homes, a volunteer at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, and a docent at the Executive Mansion. He was also a member of Springfield Lodge 4 AF&AM, the Springfield Consistory, and the Ansar Shrine. In addition to loving his Lord, church, and family, Mr. Lee enjoyed traveling, anything related to John Deere, NASCAR, and working in his yard. Services were conducted April 19 at West Side Christian Church, Eddie Lowen officiating. Burial was at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to West Side Christian Church, 2850 Cider Mill Lane, Springfield, IL 62702 or Lake Springfield Christian Assembly, 1674 Lick Creek Lane, Chatham, IL 62629.

Leroy B. Mills, 96, died Jan. 15, 2012, at his home in New Mexico after a brief illness. Memorial services were conducted Feb. 4 at Covenant Christian Church, Rio Rancho, NM. He was born May 17, 1915, in Kansas. His parents moved to Anaheim, CA, where he was raised with four brothers and one sister. He graduated from Anaheim High School and Pacific Bible Seminary. He married his college sweetheart, Mary Kay Friend, in 1936 in Albuquerque, NM. The two became church planters, starting three churches in Southern California. In 1940 they moved to Texhoma, OK, to minister with First Christian Church. In 1943 they purchased an old saloon-dancehall in North Albuquerque, NM, and started a church. The dancehall was made into a sanctuary and the saloon area, along with the kitchen, became their home. He ministered there for 19 years. He then ministered with a church in Grants, NM, and then, in 1965, started a church that eventually became Rio Rancho (NM) Community Christian Church, which he served until his retirement in 1980. After retirement, he moved up to Parachute, CO, to minister with a Christian church there. In 1991, he retired again. He and his wife were founding members of Covenant Christian Church in Rio Rancho; she died of colon cancer in 1991. He later married a widowed close friend of theirs, Marilyn Nolan, in 1993, and they enjoyed one another”s companionship until 1997, when she also died of cancer. He volunteered as dean, counselor, and teacher at Sandia Christian Camp in the Sandia Mountains. He supplemented his income by starting a tile and floor covering business called Mills Tile. Survivors include three daughters, Robyn Story of Cortez, CO, Carol Mills of Rio Rancho, NM, and Lois Mills-Brogan of San Marcos, CA; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Christian Church, Hospice of New Mexico, Hope International University (formally Pacific Bible Seminary), or to www.MercyCorps.org, which serves poor populations around the world.

James Irvin Mobley, 90, formerly of Fern Creek, KY, died Dec. 28, 2012, at Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown, KY. He was born to Golden and Hettie (Hendren) Mobley in Mercer County, KY, on Feb. 25, 1922. He served as minister of five Kentucky churches. He attended Cincinnati Christian University, Louisville Bible College, and College of the Scriptures, and was a disabled veteran of World War II. His first ministry was with his home church, Cornishville (KY) Christian Church. He then established the Magnolia Street Christian Church in Harrodsburg, KY. He later served with Fairview Christian Church, Lawrenceburg, KY; Plum Creek Christian Church, Butler, KY; and First Christian Church, Mount Washington, KY. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Mae (Royalty), and 10 brothers and sisters. He is survived by two sons, Tom of Bardstown, KY, and Steve of Mount Washington, KY; one granddaughter and three grandsons; and one brother: R. C. Mobley of Harrodsburg. Services were Jan. 2, 2013, with Marcus A. Mobley and R. Matthew Nickoson officiating. Burial was at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery. (posted 1-22-13)

David Richard Morley, 66, of Sallisaw, OK, died of a heart attack on Feb. 25, 2012. He was born Dec. 28, 1945, in Bartlesville, OK, to David and Mary Morley. He received his BA from Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary in 1968 and was salutatorian of his class; he received an MDiv from CBS in 1973. He married Peggy Claire Parker of Decatur, GA, on Aug. 23, 1968. He worked for Standard Publishing for eight years, initially in the editorial department and then as a sales representative. He continued to do occasional freelance work for Standard for another 20 years. The couple ministered with churches for more than 37 years, including with South Liberty Church of Christ in Hillsboro, OH; Christian Church of Freeport (IL); Lincoln Park Church of Christ and Central Christian Church, both of Rockford, IL; First Christian Church in Glen Ellyn, IL; and for the last six years at the First Christian Church in Sallisaw, OK. In addition to his widow, Peggy, he is survived one son, Jake of Stony Brook, NY, one daughter, Kate of Fairfax, VA; sisters, Mary Bess, Nancy, and Jayne Morley; and one granddaughter. A memorial service was conducted March 3 at First Christian Church in Sallisaw with his cousin Billy Worthington officiating, assisted by Daniel Blankenship, Jim Remer, and Lee Woodard.

Raullin “Ron” Virgil Moyer, 92, died on April 6, 2012, in Rockport, IN. He was ordained into the Christian ministry in 1955 and for more than 55 years served with congregations in Bladensburg and Middleport, OH, New Port Richey, FL, Ripley, WV, Prescott Valley and Humboldt, AZ, and Santa Claus, IN. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Tammy Moyer Laws. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Ruth (Mix); three daughters, Jeannie Budd of Rockport, IN, Barbara Moyer of Owensboro, KY, and Hope Black of Centennial, CO; six sons, Robert, Richard, and Marvin, all of Rockport, IN, Mark of Owensboro, KY, Steve Stanley of Greensboro, NC, and Robert Stanley of Springdale, AR; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Services were conducted April 9 at the Boultinghouse Funeral Home in Rockport, IN, with Myke Templeton and Larry Vinson officiating. Burial was at Sunset Hill Cemetery, Rockport.

Joseph P. Randall, 90, of Bradenton, FL, died Aug. 3, 2012. He was born on July 4, 1922, in Readstown, WI, to the late Milton Roy and Pearl (Ward) Randall. A graduate of Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary, he served in Christian churches in Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Florida. He is survived by his wife of nearly 69 years, Jeanne; two sons, Dennis of Bradenton, FL, and Joe of Austin, TX; two daughters, Pat Seitz of Waukesha, WI, and Marilyn Chamberlin of Vestaburg, MI; 12 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Max Ward and Allen, and two sisters, Garnet Starkey and Avis Grim. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).

David Leroy Shelton, 59, of Kenmore, WA, died March 17, 2012, after a nearly nine-year battle with Alzheimer”s disease. He was born in Guthrie, OK, and attended Oklahoma State University for three years, followed by one year at Marymount Performance College in Salina, KS. After a brief time in New York City, he returned to his home and reconnected with his childhood friend Steve Thomas, who led him to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He soon chose to commit his gifts to the Lord”s purposes, and David Shelton Ministries was born. He met his wife, Debra Dudenhaver, during a 1984 ministry trip to Pennsylvania. After spending the first three years of their marriage in Tulsa, OK, the couple felt called to the Pacific Northwest and moved to the Seattle, WA, area. He spent his entire adult life using his dramatic and musical talent to make the Bible come to life and sharing the love of Christ with all who would listen. He performed across the nation and abroad in such venues as churches, nursing homes, Christian schools, colleges, and conferences. Among other things, he would perform entire books of the Bible. One of his favorite activities was to visit prisons and share hope with the hopeless. He also loved to sing and do vocal impersonations, and he always deferred applause to the Lord by pointing up. He is survived by his widow, Debra; three children, Paul David, Jessica, and Connor; sisters, Debra Phillips and Dana Stout; and brother, Darrell. Memorial services were conducted March 25 at Canyon Hills Community Church in Bothell, WA, and March 31 at Highland Park Christian Church in Tulsa, OK. Memorial contributions may be made to Royal Family Kids Camp, Poulsbo, WA (www.poulsbo.rfkc.org), or to David Shelton Ministries so that a few unfinished projects may be completed.

Lucille Stanley, 90, a veteran missionary to Africa, died Jan. 2, 2012, at the Mbango Retirement community in Port Shepstone, South Africa. She was born on Aug. 19, 1921, to Orrin and Bessie (Pickett) Stanley. She married Lynn Stanley in 1942, while both were students at Minnesota Bible College. In October 1953, after ministries in Minnesota and Indiana, along with graduate studies for her husband and the births of five boys (one of whom died in infancy), the family moved to serve in Africa. The focus of their ministry for more than 40 years was equipping a national leadership for the church in South Africa. They lived first in Kimberley (where a daughter was born), and then on the south coast near Port Shepstone. Mrs. Stanley was preceded in death by her husband, Lynn, in 1999; two sons, David (in infancy) and Darrel; one brother, Merton Eaton; and one sister, Evelyn. She is survived by three sons, Michael of South Africa, and Duane and Larry of the Twin Cities in Minnesota; one daughter, Debbie Neethling of near Port Shepstone, South Africa; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one sister, Phyllis Masterjohn of Washington. While South Africa was their adopted country, and they retired there, they always considered “home” to be Kimball, Minnesota, and their gravestone is in the Maine Prairie Cemetery.

Astor Thompson Stevens, 83, of Amarillo, TX, died Jan. 6, 2012. She was born on June 28, 1928, in Pikeville, KY, to Trimble and Virgie Thompson, and was the ninth of 11 siblings. In order to take Bible classes in high school, she chose to attend, and later graduated from, Mountain Mission School in Grundy, VA. She attended Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary, where she met Everett Stevens; they married on Nov. 17, 1950. Together they served in various ministries in Cincinnati and Kentucky before graduation; they later served in Christian churches in Illinois, Texas, Kentucky, Colorado, and Kansas. Together they led in the establishment of Oak Dale and Highland churches in Amarillo, TX, and Falcon Christian Church in Colorado. She was the head cook at El Porvenir Christian Camp in Las Vegas, NM, for three years while her husband was manager there. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Judith Barclay; one son, James Harold; six brothers; and three sisters. She is survived by her widower, Everett; one son, Timothy Dale of Amarillo; two sisters, June Young and Betty Nichols of St. Clair Shores, MI; one grandson; and seven great-grandchildren. Services were conducted Jan. 10 at Church of Christ at the Colonies, Amarillo, TX, with Dick Marcier and Roy Wheeler officiating.