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Rev. Joel P. Barrett, Jr., (M.Div., 1989), 72, passed with peace and grace on August 20, 2015 under hospice care at his home in Reno, Nevada. Joel is survived by his wife Pat of Reno, Nevada, son Joel Barrett III of El Paso, Texas, daughter Amy Barrett of Miami, Florida, daughter Jennifer Davis of Panama City Beach, Florida, son Bradley E. Barrett (Amy) of La Fayette, Georgia and son Adam Z. Barrett of Reno, Nevada; grandchildren: Lyla Marie Bazin (Nat), Lindsey Kiskinis, Caroline Kiskinis, Michael M. Vitulli (Britney), Kendall B. Barrett, Kaylee S. Barrett, Logan Fairbanks, and Baylee Fairbanks; great grandson Levi Bazin; siblings: Mira L. Barrett (Donnie) of Portal, Georgia, Virginia R. Jarvis of Madison, Florida, Susan J. Dunn (William, Jr.) of Columbus, Georgia, John M. Barrett (Juleann) of Tucumcari, New Mexico; aunts Ruth Sheffield Herndon of Pinetta, Florida, Brunelle Thigpen Sheffield and Frances Jones Sheffield of Madison, Florida, and Martha Sue Sinclair Sheffield of Norman Park, Georgia; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents J. Paul Barrett, Sr. and Clara Sheffield Barrett of Madison, Florida. Joel was born in Bainbridge, Georgia, on June 6, 1943. As the son of a United Methodist minister, he lived in several Georgia cities, but he considered Homerville, Georgia his home town. He graduated from Atkinson County High School, Pearson, Georgia, attended South Georgia Junior College in Douglas, Georgia, graduated from Valdosta College with a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, and graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity degree. From 1989 to 1997, he was the pastor of three appointments in the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church: Ludowici/Middleton Memorial UMC, Ludowici, Georgia; Sparks UMC, Sparks, Georgia; and Twin City/New Beulah UMC in Twin City and Metter, Georgia. In 1997, he transferred to the New Mexico Annual Conference and served three additional appointments: Iraan First UMC, Iraan, Texas; Grace UMC, El Paso, Texas; and Fort Stockton First UMC, Fort Stockton, Texas. He retired in 2010 and moved to Reno, Nevada. He is remembered as a loving husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and cousin, but most of all as a devoted pastor and servant of God.The family would like donations in Joel’s memory to be made to Sparks High School Athletics, 820 15th St, Sparks, NV. 89431.
Dr. Curtis R. Bonner, (M.Div., 1964), 81, of Pensacola, Florida was welcomed into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, January 4, 2016. Curt was born in Columbus, Georgia on November 4, 1934. His love of God was so great that he went into the ministry. While completing Asbury Theological Seminary, he met the love of his life, Quimby, and they married and began their long and beautiful 57 year marriage together. He served as a Methodist Minister in the Florida Conference for 10 years. When his father passed away he returned to Pensacola to manage the family business, Bonner Builders. He is remembered by many in the building community for being honest, hard-working, and always representing his faith in his work. Curt and Quimby were active members at St. Mark United Methodist Church. He served as a youth counselor, board member, and founded and taught the Hupomeno Sunday School class for many years. As a gifted singer with a booming bass voice, he sang with the St. Mark choir for over 40 years and sang with the Seventh Hour quartet. He enjoyed performing with the Pensacola Senior Follies beginning with their inaugural year. He served several local churches for extended periods when their pastors were out on medical leave and had the honor of performing many marriage ceremonies and officiating funerals. After earning his doctorate in higher education from FSU, Curt taught sociology at PJC. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend, and most of all a servant of the Lord. He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Angelyn Lynch; father, Otto Bonner; grandfather, Joseph Lynch; mother, Bessie Bonner, and his wife, Quimby Bonner. Survivors include his son, Drew Bonner of Pensacola; daughter, Lynn Jackson (Jerry) of Pensacola; sister, Diane Canady of Columbus, Georgia; grandson, Alex Ball of Pensacola, granddaughter, Jessica Ball of Bluffton, South Carolina, granddaughter, Victoria Ball, of Pensacola and sister-in-law, Lois Peterson (Ken) of Pensacola. He wanted us to love each other and celebrate his life as he is celebrating and rejoicing now in heaven with his loved ones and his Lord! He will be missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.
Rev. W. Jing Chow, (B.Div., 1964), 82, of Lebanon, died peacefully in his sleep at Ohio’s Hospice of Butler and Warren Counties on Saturday, December 26, 2015.
Born April 30, 1933, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was a retired pastor, having served churches in Iowa and Pennsylvania before completing seminary. He served eight churches in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church: Kirkersville, Fletcher Chapel (Baltimore), Etna, Church of the Messiah (Westerville), Archbold, Livingston (Columbus), Maineville, and Waynesville.
On June 9, 1957, he married Betty Lee. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Known as “Gong Gong” or “Yeh Yeh” to his grandchildren, Jing loved being with family.
He retired in March of 2000 from Waynesville UMC after having been a minister for nearly 40 years. He loved serving the Lord and people, enjoyed family, loved visiting and helping those in need, and was greatly blessed in participating in the Emmaus Community.
He was known for his ability to remember names, his sweet smile, and his winning personality. For many years, he was a volunteer mail carrier at Otterbein. The residents all looked forward to seeing him. He was a role model and mentor for many. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.
He endured several serious health challenges, including open heart surgery (1994), stroke (1999), as well as cellulitis, and multiple falls.
During his younger years, he enjoyed woodworking, refinishing furniture, and making music (harmonica and accordion).
He was a graduate of Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary.
Surviving are his wife, Betty L. Chow; four children: daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Albert Chan of Lisle, Illinois; daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Michael Yee of Carson, California; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Nancy (Schumacher) Chow of Zanesville; son and daughter-in-law, Wesley and Tung-Guang (Hsueh) Chow of Columbus; his twelve grandchildren: Aaron Chan of Lisle, Illinois; Heather Chan of Lisle, Illinois; Melodee (Eric) Mah of Harbor City, California; Joshua (Jenna) Yee of Torrance, California, Jordan Yee of Carson, California; Jayme Schumacher of Columbus, Jennifer Schumacher of Chicago, Illinois, Deborah Chow of Zanesville, Molly Chow of Zanesville; Stephen Chow, Daniel Chow and David Chow of Columbus, Ohio. He is also survived by one great-grandson: Kayden Mah.
In addition, he is survived by two sisters and a brother: Wing Fun Chow of Cincinnati, Ohio; Suey Wong of Cleveland, Ohio and Ngun Louie of Cleveland, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Choy Chow of Cincinnati; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Wong Shee Chow; by his brothers, Kwok Hing Yee, Wing Fee Chow, Wing Jones Chow; his daughter, Deborah Elizabeth Chow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Otterbein Lebanon United Methodist Church and Ohio’s Hospice of Butler and Warren Counties.
The Rev. Herbert (Herb) Ellsworth Claar, (M.Div., 1961), 86, was called to his Heavenly home on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015. He died peacefully and pain free at I.U. Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, in the presence of family and God’s angels, following complications from aspirated pneumonia.
The youngest of three sons, Herb was born Feb. 15, 1929 in Alum Bank, Pennsylvania (Bedford County), to the late Clyde Adam Claar and the late Mae Grieff Claar. After high school graduation, he apprenticed and then worked in the construction business as a plasterer for seven years, until God called him into the Christian ministry.
Growing up in poverty, he and his brothers were lovingly reared by his hardworking single mother, who set a Christian example for her sons. Herb was always grateful for his hometown church, the Alum Bank EUB Church, and the Christian examples and mentors he had there.
At age 25, Herb enrolled at Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University), a Christian liberal arts school in Marion. Graduating in 1958, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a history major and a double minor in Biblical literature and English literature. He was always thankful for his godly professors.
While in college, he led three traveling Gospel Teams, served as jail evangelist, was YTC president, and was elected Student Council president. During those four years, he worked full time, established his own plastering business and provided employment for other students. In his senior year, he met and married a “lowly freshman” girl, Marcille Elaine Staton, who caught his eye in Spanish class. They married on Aug. 30, 1957 at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Argos.
After graduation, Herb enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. for three years. He graduated in 1961, earning a Master of Divinity degree. He and his wife both held full-time jobs during those years, plus serving as youth directors and Sunday school teachers at the Short Street Wesleyan Methodist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Herb also served as a jail evangelist. As a result of his strong work ethic, the help of his wife, and God’s blessings, Herb finished college and seminary completely debt free, owning a mobile home and new car.
Licensed in 1960 and ordained in 1961 by the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the EUB Church, Herb was appointed pastor (1961-1964) to the Oak Ridge Charge of four churches: Fairmount City, Truittsburg, Mount Zion, and Oak Ridge, Pennsylvania. Then he served Trinity EUB Church in Portage, Pennsylvania (1965-1974) where his two sons were born. Meanwhile, the EUB and Methodist denominations merged, forming the world-wide United Methodist Church.
From 1974-1983, he pastored First UM Church in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. While there, the congregation sent the Claars on an all-expenses paid trip to the Holy Lands of Jordan and Israel. From 1983-1991 he served Circleville UM Church at North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He pastored Port Vue UM Church, McKeesport, Pennsylvania from 1991-1994, retiring from full-time pastoral ministry at age 65.
Throughout his ministry, Herb placed a strong emphasis on evangelism and world missions, increasing the mission budget at each church and encouraging annual Mission Conferences with guest missionary speakers. Church members were encouraged to participate in short-term experiences on mission fields. He personally went to Haiti and Jamaica.
An admirer of the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham’s evangelistic ministry, Herb encouraged his churches to actively support the Crusades held in Pittsburgh, arranging bus transportation for the communities he served. He personally attended three B.G. Schools of Evangelism in Pittsburgh, Boston, and New York City, and served as a counselor at four Crusades.
During Herb’s pastorates, he emphasized spiritual revival and growth, prayer ministries, in-depth Bible studies, robust Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible Schools, strong children’s and youth programs, and community outreach. His congregations opened their doors to Boy and Girl Scout troops, preschools, weight loss programs, barbershop singing groups, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, high school football teams and coaches for prayer, and a food pantry.
He encouraged building and remodeling projects, working with church trustees to enhance facilities. Despite many chronic health problems, he put in many 50- and 60-hour weeks as pastor, still finding the time and strength to be a good husband and father. Through it all, the Lord always enabled him to meet the needs of each day’s tasks.
Following retirement, the Claars moved to Muncie to join the headquarters staff of Christian Service International (CSI), a missions organization providing short-term ministry opportunities in the USA and abroad. He served part time on the CSI staff for five years, while serving the Muncie District of the U.M. Church as an interim pastor, called to fill the pulpit for varying lengths of time in 18 churches over 42 months.
He became a part-time courier for Mutual Federal Savings Bank in Muncie for nine years. He was hired on staff at Gethsemane UM Church in Muncie, and served as part-time Minister of Visitation for nine years, until fully retiring at age 80.
Throughout his ministry, his greatest joy was to see 30-plus individuals answer Christ’s call to ministry. His “life verse” was Matt. 6:33 – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
In additional to his parents, Herb was preceded in death by two brothers, John Junior and Perry Christian Claar; a sister-in-law, Elsie Thyra Gaudig Claar; a nephew, John Steven Claar; a brother-in-law, Theodor N.F. Wong; and his beloved mother-in-law, Norma Elaine Staton.
Besides his beloved wife of 58 years, Marcille, Herb’s surviving relatives include two sons, Victor Vyron Claar (wife, Valerie) of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Trevor Adam Claar of Muncie; one granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Claar of Carnegie, Pennsylvania.; three stepgrandsons, C. Alexander Bearden (wife, Sarah) of Stafford, Texas, Benjamin M. Bearden (wife, Rachael) of Jackson, Mississippi, and Thomas Bearden of Hot Springs, Arkansas; 12 nieces and nephews; eight great-nieces and nephews; a great-great-niece; a great-great-nephew; plus much-loved brothers and sisters-in-law by marriage, Marcia Claar, Bob and Sharon Petty, Fern, Vyron, Victor and Marilyn Staton, Dennis and Edith Harrington, and Frieda Wong.
Herb willed his body to the Indiana University School of Medicine for teaching and research. Upon future cremation, his ashes will be returned to the family for burial at Maple Grove Cemetery in Argos. At that time a Celebration of Life service will be held in Argos with a graveside Service of Committal. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord…that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” (Rev. 14:13)
In lieu of flowers, please send a tax-deductible memorial gift to: Office of Advancement, Asbury Theological Seminary, 204 N. Lexington Ave. Wilmore, KY 40390-9989; and designate your gift for the “Western PA UMC Students Scholarship Fund”. Thank you. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thepilotnews/obituary.aspx?n=Herbert-Ellsworth-Claar-Herb&pid=177142937#sthash.3r66jK8x.dpuf
Rev. Dr. Terry L. Greenlee, (M.Div., 1988), 66, of Stoneboro, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, at 7:53 p.m., Friday, December 18, 2015, after complications from surgery earlier in the week at Allegheny General Hospital. Born October 12, 1949 in Oil City, Pennsylvania., he was a son of Craig H. and Lenora Jean Rosenberger Greenlee. Terry was a 1967 graduate of Lakeview High School. He attended Edinboro University and then graduated from Asbury College (Wilmore, Kentucky) with a degree in secondary art education, then graduated from Asbury Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree, and then earned his doctorate from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Along the way, Terry also authored a book, titled Tall Tales and Other Almost Lies. Before becoming disabled with Parkinson’s disease, Terry served as pastor of the Jackson Center and Millbrook Presbyterian Churches for several years. He was a member of the Shenango Presbytery. Terry loved growing flowers, working word find crossword puzzles, writing, and visiting with family and friends. His favorite sport was fishing. In his earlier years, Terry was a member of the Sandy Lake Volunteer Fire and Rescue and had served as Fire Chief. Terry and his wife, the former Christine M. Foye, were married in the Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church by Rev. James Swanson on May 7, 1990, and she survives at home. Also surviving are his parents, Sandy Lake; five daughters: Kimberlee Kaye Hric and her husband, Dr. Tim Hric, of Akron, Ohio, Michelle Lynn Morgan and her husband, Bruce, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Tammy Renee Holder and her husband, Tim, of Venango, Pennsylvania, Terry Jean Casper and her husband, Tom, of Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, and Jennifer Ann Petrucelli and her husband, Mike, of Melissa, Texas; and a son, Jonathan Craig Greenlee, and his wife, Jennifer, of Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania; a step-daughter, Meghan Fisher, of Meadville, Pennsylvania; a step-son, Patrick Fisher, of Anchorage, Alaska; twenty grandchildren (eleven boys and nine girls), a great-granddaughter, a brother, Mike Greenlee, and his wife, Brenda, of Cochranton, Pennsylvania.; and two sisters: Sandy Bachman and her husband, Dave, of Jackson Center, and Carol Hoffman and her husband, Bruce, of Millbrook, Pennsylvania. Terry and Chris had one child, Jessie Lee Greenlee, that preceded him in death. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.
Rev. Earnest W. Hummer, (Non- Degree Alum), 90. We grieve, but not without hope, the loss of our friend and China Outreach Ministries (COM) past President, Rev. Earnest Hummer on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. Earnie was a man of God, passionate about reaching the lost for Jesus, and kind and loving to all. He was a man of prayer, praying for God’s will and blessing, provision, and grace for so many throughout the years. Earnie and Ruth, his wife of 65 years, served in the pastoral ministry for many years before coming to lead COM, and, from 1982 to 2001, served as the President of COM. They lived many of those years at the COM Fairfax House, hosting Chinese students and scholars and sharing the love of Jesus with them. Under Earnie’s leadership, COM placed its first campus worker at the University of Pittsburg in 1988. Today there are ministries to Chinese peoples at over 50 universities. As one COM staff member shared, “When Earnie would humbly talk about how the Lord led him to initiate COM’s campus ministry, he would often shake his head in amazement that the Lord would use him in such a powerful and significant way.” As President Emeritus, he has continued to champion the cause and supported and prayed for the ministry We all miss him, and pray for God’s comfort for his dear wife Ruth. We know that he has heard these words from His Master and Savior: “Well done good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness.” Earnest W. Hummer went Home on December 15, 2015 after a fall sustained at his residence.
Born August 20, 1925 in Catonsville, Maryland, he was the son of the late James E. and Catherine (Wrightson) Hummer. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth (Hamilton) Hummer; a son, William Hummer, of York Haven; a daughter, Kathy McCardle, and her husband, Michael, of Lewisberry; three grandchildren Austin and his wife, Liesel, of Williamsport, Barton of Lewisberry, and Hannah Rohrs and her husband, Tyson, of Shiremanstown, and two great grandchildren Talon and Selah McCardle of Williamsport. Rev. Hummer graduated from BelAir High School in Maryland and attended Ft. Wayne Bible School in Indiana. He was a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky and Westminster College in Maryland with a degree in Sacred Theology. Rev. Hummer concluded his education by receiving his Master’s Degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. Rev. Hummer served the Pastorate for 33 years within these Methodist Church locations: Union Chapel in Joppa, Maryland, Fawn Grove, Falls Creek Charge and Erie where he served 24 years. His greatest joy was introducing Missions in each church, providing an opportunity to spread the Gospel of the Lord. Rev. Hummer was a tireless servant, an avid reader, and enjoyed studying. He had a Home Bible Study for a number of years where he taught the Scriptures. He was responsible for bringing the Leighton Ford Crusade to the Erie area in 1970. During his pastorate in Erie, there were 26 men and women who went into full-time Christian service. In 1982 he assumed the leadership of China Outreach Ministries, which was responsible for the placing of staff at university campuses to reach scholars from China with the Gospel. Rev. Hummer became President Emeritus of COM in 2001. In the years following, he and Ruth served in the Development part of COM, thus serving the organization for 30 years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to China Outreach Ministries, 555 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Rev. Dr. Moston Robert (Bob) Mulholland Jr., (Faculty Emeritus), 79, passed away on December 20, 2015. He was born on September 3, 1936 in Rutland Vermont, the son of Moston and Georgine (Schou) Mulholland. Bob’s life was dedicated to serving and glorifying God. He was a New Testament scholar, serving as professor of New Testament and Spiritual Formation at McMurray College in Abilene, Texas, and later at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, also serving as Vice President-Provost and Chief Academic Officer. He traveled the world teaching in 12 countries including Korea and Russia. Bob was a prolific author, writing seven books, biblical commentaries, multiple reviews and chapters, and contributing to several revisions of the Holy Bible, including the New Living Translation. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Mulholland, son- Jeremy, daughter- Tareena (Tim), brother- Bill (Linda), Marsha (Larry), and furry companion Charlie the cat. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of Bob to the Transforming Center, 209 S. Naperville Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187 or online at https://www.transformingcenter.org/give, The Academy for Spiritual Formation, P.O. Box 340004, Nashville, TN 37203 or http://tinyurl.com/donateasf, or the Shirley Community Church, P.O. Box 44, Shirley, ME, 04485. Arrangements by Crosby & Neal, Greenville. For an online guest register, go to www.CrosbyNeal.com.
The Rev. Dale Scritchfield, (M.Div., 2008), 65, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at the Iowa River Hospice House in Marshalltown, with his loving family by his side. For condolences or questions, please visit: www.mitchellfh.com . Dale Eugene Scritchfield was born on August 28, 1950, in Centerville, Iowa, to D. Dale and Erma (McConnell) Scritchfield. In 1968 he graduated from Clarke Community High School in Osceola, Iowa. On August 15, 1971, Dale married Marleta Poore at the United Methodist Church in Osceola. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1972 and began his working career with Hy-Vee Food Stores. He worked in stores in Charles City, Des Moines, and Le Mars. In 1980 he went to work for REMCO Food Brokerage in Urbandale, Iowa, while living on the south-side of Des Moines and attending St. John’s UMC. He remained with the food brokerage for 20 years through various mergers and acquisitions. Dale changed careers in 2000, joining a telecommunications firm, Hyde Telecom Partners. Eventually, Dale expressed he had “avoided God’s call on his life long enough” and finally submitted to His will in 2005 by attending Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He graduated in 2008 with his Master of Divinity and returned to Iowa to serve as pastor of a two-point charge: Mitchellville UMC and Santiago UMC. In 2011, he was appointed Senior Pastor of FUMC in Marshalltown. Dale enjoyed golf, fishing, bicycling, ISU sports, was an avid reader, and had a passion for music, guitar, and singing. Above all else, he loved his family and serving the Lord. Left to cherish his memory are: his wife of 44 years, Marleta, of Marshalltown, Iowa; children – Megan (Andrew) Ramspott of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Tyler (Molly) Scritchfield of Omaha, Nebraska; his grandchildren – Caden Ramspott, Ainsley and Abigail Scritchfield; sisters – Shirley (Tom Kodera) Scritchfield of Kansas City, Missouri, and Roberta (Allen) Ashley of Billings, Montana; in addition to several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. In death, Dale rejoins his parents, and his in-laws, Glen and Maurine Poore. The family would like to share their sincere gratitude for the love and care experienced in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, as well as the Oncology Floor at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Iowa. Memorial gifts may be sent to First United Methodist Church or Iowa River Hospice House in Marshalltown.