Obituaries for 2014

ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF OBITUARIES

The most recently received obituaries are listed first. An alphabetical listing of all 2014 obituaries begins further down.

Patricia Ann Ruble Augenstine, 86, of Austin, TX, died Nov. 8, 2014, at home after being diagnosed with cancer in August. She was born May 1,1928, in Lowell, IN, to Charles Chester and Gladys Dickinson Ruble. She graduated in 1946 from Griffith High School, and attended Lincoln (IL) Bible Institute for one semester before marrying Donald C. Augenstine on Aug. 29, 1947. The couple ministered on and around the Yakima Indian Reservation in Washington for nearly 30 years, starting at McKinley Indian Mission and including five years with the Puget Sound Christian Indian Mission (1962-67). They also served ministries in El Paso, TX; Hopkinsville, KY; Monmouth County, NJ; Aransas Pass, TX; San Francisco, CA; and Mathews, VA. She also wrote for several Christian publications. In addition to her husband of 67 years, Donald, she is also survived by three daughters, Cheryl Parks of North Chesterfield, VA, Denise Chaffin of Falls of Rough, KY, and Kristin Wright of Austin, TX; three sons, Mark of Deer Park, WA, Joel of El Paso, TX, and Jonathan of Pasadena, CA; one brother, Roland Ruble of Rockwall, TX; one sister, Kay of Creston, OH; 18 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. Memorial services were conducted Nov. 23 at Austin Christian Church. Memorials may be made to The Voice of the Martyrs, P.O. Box 443, Bartlesville, OK 74005-9934 (www.persecution.com); or Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, TX 78759 (www.HospiceAustin.org).

Ralph Joe Butterworth, 87, died Feb. 19, 2014, in Santa Clara, CA. He was born Dec. 21, 1926, in Nampa, ID, to V. Emmett and Katie (Williams) Butterworth. The son of a minister, he lived in several locations during his early years. In 1944, after graduation from high school, he joined the army. After his military service, he married, graduated from college with a degree in graphic arts, and accepted a job with the H. M. Goushá Co. He and his wife, Betty, moved to Santa Clara, CA, where they raised a family and lived the remainder of their lives. Over the years, he served the Lord through the local church as teacher, elder, deacon, committee member, and leader. He also advised church leaders on graphic arts issues. After his retirement, he used his graphic arts background to help in the adult education program at the local unified school district. He was a longtime member of Central Christian Church, San Jose, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Betty, and one brother, John David. He is survived by two sons, Darrell of Albuquerque, NM, and William of Gurnee, IL; two daughters, Teri Heberling of San Jose, CA, and Lauri Dilbeck of Santa Clara, CA; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Rod Rubert Edwin Cameron, 80, of Converse, IN, died Jan. 18, 2014, at his home after a battle with Parkinson”s disease. He was born May 11, 1933, in Moscow, IN, to Clifford and Ruth Cameron. He married Beverly Williamson on May 11, 1954. He was a gifted ventriloquist and was often in demand for church and community events. He wrote two books, A Dummy Goes to Africa and A Dummy Goes to Church Camp. He graduated from Milroy High School and Louisville (KY) Bible College. He ministered with Mount Zion Christian Church in Kentucky; Mount Pleasant Christian Church, Mount Carmel Christian Church, and Fountaintown Christian Church, all in Indiana; and Big Rock Christian Church in Virginia. He taught seventh-graders at Mountain Mission School in Grundy, VA, for two years. He and his family served as missionaries to Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Africa, from 1959 to 1966. He was manager of Rainbow Christian Camp (Pearson”s Mill Christian Assembly) in Converse, IN, from 1967 to 2003. While there, he also served as minister with Somerset Christian Church in the early 1970s, along with doing some substitute teaching. In addition to his widow, Beverly, he is survived by two sons, Mark and Bruce; one daughter, Morgana Starr (formerly Myrna Cameron); four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial services were conducted Jan. 26 at Converse Church of Christ, 301 E. Wabash St., Converse, IN, where he had been a member since 1958. In lieu of gifts or flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rainbow Christian Camp. Online condolences may be made at www.owenweilertduncan.com.

Howard Kenneth Davis, 93, a former president of two Christian colleges, died March 22, 2014. He was born in Pampa, TX, on Nov. 7, 1920. He married his high school sweetheart, Anna Kathryn Giles, on Sept. 8, 1939. He served in World War II with the occupation forces that entered Japan at the end of the war. He and his wife enrolled in Midwest Christian College the first year of its existence. After graduation in 1950, Mr. and Mrs. Davis and their growing family began serving in Japan; they spent 15 years in Nagoya planting churches, teaching at Osaka Bible Seminary, and sharing the gospel with the Japanese people. While in Japan, he wrote Missionary Illustrations. In 1965 the family returned to the United States. He was invited to serve as missions professor at Midwest Christian College in Oklahoma City, where he later served as president. In 1976, with their children grown, the couple went to Artesia, NM, where he was founding president of Artesia Christian College, a Christian vocational school. As a private pilot, he flew many hours on behalf of MCC and ACC. At various times, he served on the continuation committee for both the National Missionary Convention and the North American Christian Convention. He and his wife retired to Sun City, AZ, in 1987, were he served as an elder and chairman of the missions committee at First Christian Church, and later preacher at Tolleson (AZ) Christian Church until he was 85. He spent his last eight years with his daughter Janet and husband Mark in Euless, TX, where he was a member of the DeSoto (TX) Christian Church. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Kathryn, in 1998, and by two daughters, Judy and Edna. He is survived by one son, Ken, and two daughters, Janet and Irene. Services were conducted April 6 at the DeSoto (TX) Christian Church.

Howard Dobbs, 80, who served as general manager, and later, senior vice president of TCM International, Indianapolis, IN, died March 25, 2014. He was born Aug. 13, 1933, in Columbus, OH, to Joseph Morris and Fairy Marie (Hickman) Dobbs. He grew up in Greenfield, OH. He earned BA and MA degrees at Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary. He received his doctorate from the California Graduate School of Theology, Garden Grove. During his career, he served communities in Oklahoma, California, and Indiana. In 1985 he came to Indianapolis to serve with TCMI; he retired in 2003. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn (Butler) Dobbs; one daughter, Annette Lundberg; one son, Mark; and three grandchildren. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. service March 28 in the worship center at Chapel Rock Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN. Cards may be sent to Carolyn Dobbs at 3051 Valley Farms Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214-1514. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to TCM International Institute, P.O. Box 24560 Speedway, IN 46224.

Thomas Edwin Friskney, 85, of Hamersville, OH, died Jan. 25, 2014, at Cincinnati”s University Hospital. He was born in Edon, OH, on Feb. 6, 1928, to Frank and Iva Mae (Sinderson) Friskney. Immediately after graduating from high school in 1945, he enlisted in the Army and served in the occupation forces in Japan. In 1948, he married Ruth, his wife of 65 years, and began a long association with Cincinnati Bible Seminary (now Cincinnati Christian University). As a student, he earned AB, MA, and BD degrees. Then, in 1954, he began his teaching career, which included the fields of New Testament, theology, Greek, and English. He taught more than 50 years. He also dedicated himself to preaching in local churches, continuing in that role until age 80. His ministries included four Ohio churches: Pandora Church of Christ, Columbia Church of Christ (his home church), Hamersville Church of Christ, and Saltair Church of Christ. His longest ministry (from the mid-1950s through the late 1970s) was with the Hamersville church; after his retirement from full-time teaching, he returned there as preaching minister in 2002. In addition to his widow, Ruth, he is survived by two sons, Steve and Paul; four daughters, Elizabeth Love, Esther Fike, Lois Santel, and Sara Jones; two sisters, Dorothy Hake and Donna Oberlin; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank, Victor, and Raymond; and one sister, Phyllis Disbro. A celebration of life service at the Hamersville Church of Christ is yet unscheduled. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to International Disaster Emergency Service, P.O. Box 379, Noblesville, IN 46061, (317) 773-4111 (www.ides.org); the Alumni Scholarship Fund at Cincinnati Christian University, 2700 Glenway Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45204, (800) 949-4CCU (www.ccuniversity.edu); or a ministry of the donor”s choice.

Billy Joe Keever, 85, died May 10, 2014, in Maryville, MO. He was born July 16, 1928, the youngest of four sons born to Carl and Bertha Dawson Keever in Skidmore, MO. He attended Eureka country school, Skidmore High School, and graduated from Lincoln (IL) Christian College (now Lincoln Christian University). He was a minister and preached at Number Ten Church, Potomac, and Headyville Christian churches in Illinois; Westside, Eastside, Pleasant Hill, and Rockport churches in Missouri; and at churches in Millersburg, OH, and Independence, KS. He also did some ministry in Hawaii and Jamaica. He loved and worked with all types of people in his 60 years of ministry. He is survived by his wife, Betty of Maryville; one son, Jerry of Independence, MO; one daughter, Judy Hatfield of Odessa, MO; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Donald, Dean, and Bob; and one son, Michael. Funeral services were conducted May 16 at the Country Side Christian Church, Maryville, MO. The burial was at Nodaway Memorial Gardens in Maryville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Skidmore (MO) Christian Church, or the Country Side Christian Church, Maryville, MO.

Carole Joy Funk Lloyd, formerly of Grand Ledge, MI, died Dec. 21, 2014, on her 75th birthday in Gloucester, VA. She married Curtis Lloyd (a Cleveland, MN, native) on June 15, 1964, and was his partner until he died on Dec. 13, 2003. They ministered together at the Bangor Church of Christ in Bangor, MI, until 1968, when they accepted a call from Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing, MI. At GLCC, she supported her husband as he served as director of public relations and as the college”s sixth president. In 1988, the couple began a new ministry called National Church Growth Research Center to serve churches and ministers across the greater Great Lakes region. Their mission was to help churches expand their vision, strengthen their outreach, and be the vital spiritual link in their community. Having no children of their own, the couple served as spiritual parents to many church leaders, church members, and countless GLCC students. A memorial service is being planned for the summer of 2015 in Michigan, before she is laid to rest near Cleveland, MN. Cards may be sent to Norm and Kim Lloyd, 110 Mason Court, Yorktown, VA 23692, and will be shared with family and friends during her memorial service. Memorials in her honor may be made to either Great Lakes Christian College, 6211 W. Willow Highway, Lansing, MI 48917 or to University Christian Church, 310 N. Hagadorn Road, East Lansing, MI 4882.

Henrietta Ida Luttrell, 90, of Waianae, HI, died Jan. 19, 2014, at Kaiser Medical Center in Hawaii. She was born the youngest of five children on July 19, 1923, in Kokomo, IN, to Elmer Ross and Blanche (Segretain) Storms. She married Charles C. Luttrell in 1945; he preceded her in death in June 1986. She graduated with honors from Kokomo High School and attended Ozark Bible College in Joplin, MO. She was a retired missionary. She and her husband served with Palolo Valley Church of Christ, Kalihi Church of Christ, Waipahu Church or Christ, and Maile Christian Church, all in Hawaii. She was a teacher, encourager, and authored the book Pebbles in the Pond (2013). She was a member at Waialua Christian Church and Grace Bible Church in Kapolei, HI. She is survived by three daughters Amy Lou King, Leta Joy Leggit, and Lora Lei Price; one son, Mark Ivan; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Philip; two granddaughters, Beth Luttrell and Maile King; and four siblings, Bessie, Julien, Arthur, and Bertha.

Ken Marsh, 63, of Taylorsville, KY, died July 23, 2014, at Baptist Health Louisville in Louisville, KY, after a prolonged battle with cancer. The Oregon City, OR, native was the son of Lowell Ray and Anna Marie Chinn Marsh. After graduating from West Linn (OR) High School in 1969, he continued his education at Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR, graduating in 1973 with a BS degree in Christian ministries. In 1978 he earned his MDiv degree from Emmanuel School of Religion in Johnson City, TN. In 1982, he also received his Clinical Pastoral Certification. He pursued additional studies at Cincinnati (OH) Christian University, Lincoln (IL) Christian College, and elsewhere. He began his career in ministry at the Creswell (OR) Church of Christ, serving from 1972 to 1973. On Nov. 11, 1973, he was ordained into the Christian ministry at Willamette Christian Church in West Linn, OR. In 1978, he entered full-time ministry with Walton (IN) Christian Church, serving there for 15 years before switching to First Christian Church in Brook, IN, which he served for nearly 20 years. In 2012, he became coordinator of connections with Team Expansion, where he planned short-term mission trips. He was preceded in death by one brother, Dean. Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Deborah of Taylorsville; one son, Paul of Noblesville, IN; one daughter, Rebekah Ellen Gross of Portland, TN; his mother, Anna, of Henderson, KY; one sister, Barbara Ann Clark, also of Henderson; and two grandsons. Funeral services were conducted July 29 at Briar Ridge Christian Church in Mount Eden, KY, with pastors Bill Collins and Bruce Hawkins officiating. Committal services and interment were at Crownland Cemetery in Noblesville, IN. A memorial service will take place Aug. 2 at the Brook (IN) Christian Church with pastors Tim Ross and Dave Welsh officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Team Expansion Building Fund, 4112 Old Routt Road, Louisville, KY 40299.

Eugene Russell Morse, 93, died of pneumonia at Rachawet Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand, on May 29, 2014. He was born in Enid, OK, on April 18, 1921, to Justin Russell and Gertrude Howe Morse. He was taken to the foreign mission field at the age of 4 months and grew up among the Chinese, Tibetan, and later the Lisu people. He learned from a young age what it meant to serve God in difficult regions, far from the comforts of civilization, becoming familiar with both the Chinese and Tibetan peoples, their culture and language. During World War II, he and his brother Robert coordinated search and rescue teams to help downed airmen. The family returned to the U.S. after the war. He attended Bible college, and met Helen Myers at the National Missionary Convention in Springfield, IL. They were married on June 20, 1948, in Terre Haute, IN. The following year, the newlyweds, together with the rest of the family, returned to China expecting to resume mission work among the Lisu, but communism was sweeping China and all the missionaries had to leave in early 1949. The family resettled in north Burma in the Putao region, under the banner of the North Burma Christian Mission. He began to help the many refugees from China resettle in carefully laid-out villages. He built roads, bridges, chapels, schools, and opened up farmland and planned irrigation projects. The couple had four sons and three daughters. The youngest son died in 1956 in Mulashidee. The family continued to live in the Putao area until 1965, teaching, training, and instilling the love of God. In late 1965, the family had to leave the plains area and lived and survived in the jungles with the Lisu to the west for more than six years. During that time, the third generation of Morses began to become involved in the ministry work. In 1972, the family was finally able to leave Burma, and after a brief stopover in Thailand for medical checkups, went to the U.S. One year later, in June 1973, the family arrived in Chiang Mai to begin work with the Lisu in Thailand, which has continued to the present. Even after his wife died on Dec. 30, 2010, at age 84, he continued to minister and encourage all who came to visit. Funeral services were conducted on June 2; more than 1,000 Lisu attended. He was buried in the Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery. He is survived by six children, who continue to serve the Lord”s people, as well as 22 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; one brother, Laverne Morse; and one sister, Ruth Johnson. Three books that tell about his family”s work on the mission field are Exodus to a Hidden Valley, Dogs May Bark But the Caravan Moves On, and Once I Was Young. A memorial fund has been set up to help continue his endeavors among the churches in Thailand: checks made out to “NBCM” may be mailed to: North Burma Christian Mission, c/o Doris Farmer, P.O. Box 3313, Terre Haute, IN 47803, with a separate note indicating the gift’s designation.

Donald R. Phipps, 96, of St. Louis, MI, died Dec. 12, 2014, at the Schnepp Senior Care and Rehab Center in St. Louis, one year and three days after the death of his wife of 71 years, Bonnie (Johnson) Phipps. He was born Dec. 27, 1917, in Detroit, MI, to Everett and Hattie (Schofield) Phipps. He graduated in 1936 from Waite High School in Toledo, OH, and in 1942 from Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary (now Cincinnati Christian University), receiving a Bachelor of Sacred Literature degree. He served in full-time and later pulpit-supply ministries for more than 40 years in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New York, and Wisconsin. He was an original member of the committee that founded Great Lakes Bible College (now Great Lakes Christian College). While ministering in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, he began the annual “Soo” Preaching Rally, bringing top Michigan preachers to the state”s Upper Peninsula for the benefit of members of sparse and widely scattered Restoration Movement churches. He also regularly preached in revivals, and for a time was part of the early Go Ye Chapel Mission outreach on Long Island, NY. Survivors include two sons, John of Comstock Park, MI, and David of San Antonio, TX; four grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. After his cremation, a memorial service was conducted Jan. 3, 2015, at Vestaburg (MI) Church of Christ, where he was a member. Thomas McNerney, senior minister, officiated. Memorial contributions may be made to Vestaburg Church of Christ, 7289 Avenue B, Vestaburg, MI 48891.

June Marie Pommert, 79, of Joplin, MO, died on Aug. 17, 2014, at Freeman Hospital, after a one-month illness. She was born May 27, 1935, in Greenfield, OH, the daughter of Richard and Lois (Oyer) Hill. She married her high school sweetheart, John Pommert, on Aug. 21, 1953, and they celebrated nearly 61 years of marriage. She attended Cincinnati (OH) Christian Seminary, Marshall University (Huntington, WV), Ozark Christian College (in Joplin), and received her BA from Missouri Southern State University (also in Joplin). She received her MS degree from Pittsburg (KS) State University. She taught fifth grade for the Diamond (MO) School District for 25 years, retiring in 1995. She and her husband loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and 37 countries, including three trips to Israel. The couple ministered for 40 years with Christian churches in Roscoe, MO, East Liverpool and Chesapeake, OH, Paintsville, KY, and Joplin, MO. She loved music, and often sang solos and directed church choirs. She also taught Sunday school. She was known as the “The Card Lady” for the numerous birthday and anniversary cards she sent. In addition to her widower, she is survived by three sons, David and Lincoln, both of Joplin, and Robert of Neosho, MO; one daughter, Elizabeth Ashmore of Joplin; one sister, Dixie Reber of Bluffton, SC; one brother, Gary Hill of Blanco, TX; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Aug. 21 at Central City Christian Church in Joplin, with minister Johnny Adkins officiating. Burial was at Forest Park Cemetery.

Paul Richard Sutherlin, 85, died Feb. 18, 2014, at a Clare Bridge Alzheimer”s facility in Fort Worth, TX. He was born March 10, 1928, to Virgil and Lucille Sutherlin; he had two brothers and three sisters. He married Marian Bates of Marysville, KS, in 1948, and they remained married for 58 years until her death in 2007. He graduated from Roachdale (IN) High School in 1946, Manhattan Christian College (AB in Bible) in 1950, and Butler University (BD in doctrine) in 1956. He held student ministries in Nebraska, Kansas, and Indiana. His first full-time ministry was with Central Church of Christ, Streator, IL. Other ministries were with First Christian Church, Clinton, OK (1966-73), Central Christian Church, Clovis, NM (1973-79), and Town & Country Christian Church, Topeka, KS (1980″“2008). He also worked as administrative director with the North American Christian Convention in Cincinnati, OH from 1979-1980. He is survived by four sons, Keith of Hurst, TX, Dirk of Jackson, MO, Mark of Fort Collins, CO, and Jay of Henderson, NV; eight grandsons; and three great-grandchildren.

Glenn David Vaughan, 80, of Cincinnati, OH, died July 1, 2014, after a brief battle with cancer. He was a graduate of Cincinnati Bible College. He is survived by his widow, Alberta; one son, David; one daughter, Jana; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He served seven churches in three states during his 55-plus years in ministry. A celebration service was conducted July 11 at the Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, OH. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in his name to the Whitewater Crossing Christian Church.

Glen V. Wheeler, 88, of Columbus, OH, died March 1, 2014. He was born Oct. 19, 1925, in Vincennes, IN, the son of James and Elsie Wheeler. He held ministries in Morristown and Harriman, TN; West Frankfort, IL; and Ironton and Columbus, OH. In 2013 he observed 69 years as an ordained minister. He served as president of The Restoration House Stewardship Ministry, executive director of the Ohio Church Development Fund, and chaplain at Worthington (OH) Christian Village for 12 years. Johnson University (TN) conferred upon him an honorary doctorate degree for his 20 years of service as a trustee, and he was named an “Honored Servant of God” by the North American Christian Convention and National Missionary Convention in recognition of his lifelong ministry. He was inducted into three senior halls of fame, including the Ohio Senior Hall of Fame (2001). He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Ruth Grove, and eight siblings. He is survived by one daughter, Judie Fugitt; two sons, David and Dennis; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister, Alice (Coleman) Archer. Funeral services were conducted March 4 at the Worthington Christian Church, Columbus, with Marshall Hayden officiating, and March 6 at Central Christian Church, Ironton, OH, with Phil LeMaster officiating. Interment was at Woodland Cemetery in Ironton. Memorial gifts may be made to the Glen V. and Evelyn R. Wheeler Scholarship Fund, Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998; Residence Benevolence Fund, Worthington Christian Village, 165 Highbluffs Blvd., Columbus, OH 43235; Worthington Christian Church, 8145 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43235; or Central Christian Church, Memorial Fund, 1541 N. 7th St., Ironton, OH 45638.