Recent News
Share thisAlumni Notes | September 2020
Linda J. Carl ’01 (Nursing), 68, of Zellwood, FL and formerly of Bath, NY passed away January 25, 2017. She was born January 14, 1949 in Elmira, NY. She retired as a Registered Nurse for the VA Medical Center, Bath, NY after 27 years of service. Linda was a very caring and Christian woman, and she was always there to help anyone.
She loved to fish, play bingo and collect antique dolls. She loved to go to the beach and collect shells and animals were a delight in her life. Linda also enjoyed her favorite place of Eldridge Park in Elmira, NY riding her favorite carousel and roller coasters. She loved the New York Yankees, the Buffalo Bills and was a strong Republican.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Evaline L. and Robert M. Carl, and by her brother, Robert E. Carl. Linda is survived by her loving children: Rob Fish, Jr., Jim (Karla) Waite and Michael Waite; her step-children: Dennis Waite, Linda Stull and Leroy Waite; her sisters, Bonnie (Bill) Wein and Betty Mace; her ten grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Bob L. Doan ’77 (Religion-Philosophy) passed away on July 29, 2019, after a year-long battle with lymphoma, at age 64. Bob was born in Elkland, PA on March 15, 1955. He is survived by his loving wife Bernadine; children Melissa Shufelt and James (Meagan) Doan; grandchildren Abby Shufelt and Gabe Shufelt; siblings, Robin (Angie) Doan, Tessa (John) Mundrick, Jeff (Gail) Doan, Brad (Darlene) Doan, Mona (Robert) Holland and Tommy (Marlene) Doan; and his mother Mary Jean Doan. Bob was predeceased by his father Leslie Doan.
Bob was a loving husband, dad and papa. He met the love of his life in college and they were married for 41 years. While at Roberts Wesleyan College he received a BA in religion and philosophy and graduated in 1977. He continued on to receive his Masters of Divinity from Asbury Seminary class of 1982. Bob was an ordained minister and elder of the Free Methodist Church USA. He served as pastor of Gallatin Free Methodist Church in Gallatin, TN; Newark Free Methodist Church in Newark, NY and as the co-founding pastor of what is now Cross Creek Church in Palmyra, NY.
Bob was an avid learner. He was an active member of the Genesee Valley Wood Carvers Association. He enjoyed leather crafts, fishing and all things in the great outdoors. He was often found hidden behind the camera as the unofficial family photographer. He was a collector of many things and had hobbies to spare.
Above all, Bob had a servant's heart and was always willing to lend a hand. He was a confidant for many; there to listen, ready to share his well-earned wisdom, and equipped with more trivia facts than one man should know.
Dottie Thuline Dodge ’49, 90, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2019. She was born on April 7, 1929, the daughter of Winfred N. Thuline and Evangeline (Crockett) Thuline. Dorothy graduated in 1946 from high school in New York and then was a 1949 graduate of Roberts Junior College in North Chili, NY with an Associate's degree. She spent most of life as a homemaker and enjoyed cleaning homes and doing yard work for the elderly. She also did babysitting for her grandchildren while living in Battle Creek.
She is survived by her husband Ralph T. Dodge; son, Daniel (Jodi) Dodge; 2 daughters, Rindy (Bruce) Homer and Deanna Hamilton; 2 sisters, Helen "Judy" Rhinehart and Marian (James) Burke, sister-in-law Jan Thuline; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 sons, Randall (Paula) Dodge and David Dodge; brother Horace Thuline and great-grandson J.T. Homer.
Dorothy always enjoyed working in the church nursery in the different places she had lived. She took pleasure in making baby blankets, lap robes and quilts as gifts to others. In later years, she learned to make porcelain dolls and loved giving them as gifts to friends and loved ones. She was athletic up until the age of 63 when her health denied her playing basketball, volleyball and softball. She especially enjoyed and took great pleasure being and working in the outdoors. She was an avid photographer, as a way of keeping her family informed of each other’s lives. She was involved in many church activities. She was a member of First Assembly of God and former member of Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri. She belonged to Calhoun County Quilters Guild in Battle Creek until 1995. She was known for her way of greeting people with a smile and hug. Her smile could light up any room.
Gordon L. English ’64 (Music Education) 78, entered the kingdom of Heaven on Aug. 5, 2020 after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born in Bradford, Pa., he was the son of Howard and Catharine Thomson English who predeceased him, as did his only sibling, Lorraine English Tanner. He is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Mary Brinkman English, and three children, Adam (Joanne Pera), Timothy (Wendy Witkowski) and Abigail (Anthony) Neeley. He leaves behind five grandchildren, Emily, Aaron, and Avery English and Solana and Jade Neeley. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, J. Robert Tanner and an aunt, Peggy Thomson, and several cousins and nieces and nephews. Gordon graduated from Bradford Area High School. He received a BS in music Education from Roberts Wesleyan College and an MS in General Education from Canisius College.
Excelling in music from childhood, Gordon’s life revolved around an appreciation for both vocal and instrumental music. He taught vocal music for grades K-12 at Elba Central School where he pushed an upright piano from classroom to classroom. A few years later he took the position of vocal music teacher at Batavia High school where he was well known for his choruses and especially the many musical shows he directed. When he later switched to the middle school, he formed many musical groups including a boys chorus known as The Englishmen.
Gordon was the organist at the First Methodist church in Batavia for several years. When the family later joined the Batavia Presbyterian Church, he became a faithful member of the choir where he happily sang in the bass section for many, many years. He also was installed as an Elder, was a member of the finance committee and served as co-chairperson of the Sunday School.
Mr. English was a gifted pianist who mastered the Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue for his final piano recital at RWC. He taught private piano lessons to many, many area children as well as several adults. In 2007, he received the Community Arts Man of the Year Award from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
Gordon was a tireless worker for the NY State School Music Association for many, many years. He served as membership chairman for most of that time. Later he was appointed to the same position at the national level for the Music Educators National Conference. Gordon was a widely sought NYSSMA Vocal Music adjudicator throughout Western NY for many, many years. He continued in this role long after he retired.
With his Parkinson’s disease progressing, Gordon and his wife decided to fulfill his lifelong dream of having a log cabin built in the Alleghany Mountains, not far from his childhood home. After the logs were laid up, he spent many satisfying times helping to finish the interior. Known for his green thumb, he spent many hours landscaping with trees as well as flowers. He was happiest on his John Deere tractor and even when he became further debilitated; he continued to mow the acres of lawn. Gordon and his wife loved entertaining their friends and relatives at the cabin, as well as groups from their church.
Gordon will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues. We are sure he is already singing in choirs of angels, with his director’s baton in ready reach.
Nancy Bliss Gillette ’74 (Nursing) passed away peacefully on 11/3/2019 at Hildebrant Hospice in Greece, NY. She was born Nancy Bliss, in Avoca, NY on 12/5/1952. Nancy was predeceased by her father, Richard Bliss and sister-in-law Susan Bliss.
Nancy is survived by her mother, Alice Bliss, and loving family; husband, Tom; children; Paul (Emily), Matthew (Sarah), David (Missy), Laura, Katie (James) and Mary as well as two grandchildren, Paul Gillette and Ashton Heath. Siblings; Larry (Joanne) Bliss, Carl (Jan) Bliss, Stephen Bliss, Kathy (Don), and Linda (James) as well as many nieces and nephews.
Nancy earned a Master of Science in Nursing, became a teacher at Roberts Wesleyan college, and later was a stay-at-home mother and dedicated many years to homeschooling all six of her children. She had recently 'retired' after her youngest finished school, and took care of her mother.
Nancy was a lifelong, dedicated Christian whose faith was evident to all who knew her.
Peg Persons Hasbrouck ’63 (Nursing), 78, of Big Canoe, GA, passed away peacefully in her home on April 14, 2019, after a brave battle with cancer.
She was born Jan. 1, 1941, in Corry, PA, to Betty Persons and the late Howard Persons.
She is preceded in death by her father and granddaughter, Emily. She is survived by her mother; her husband of 55 years, Dick Hasbrouck; two sons: Daren Hasbrouck (Lisa Lowrey) and David Hasbrouck (Stephanie); grandsons: Daniel, Andrew, Oliver, Henry and Charlie; sister, Jean Ewert (Don); brothers: David Persons (Naomi), Jim Persons, Ed Persons (Ginny) and Mark Persons (Kathy); and several nieces and nephews.
Peg graduated from Sherman Central High School in 1959. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, N.Y., in 1963. Five days after graduating, she married Dick on June 1, 1963.
Peg worked at Jamestown General Hospital in Jamestown, N.Y., and taught nursing for 10 years at Jamestown Community College.
In 1973, she and her family moved to Georgia, where Peg was a successful real estate agent for 25 years. She was named a life member of the Million Dollar Club in Dekalb County.
She and Dick retired in 2001, and built their dream home in Big Canoe. Peg became a prolific quilter, turning her hobby into a successful business, Peggy’s Quilts. Peg was a member of the Pine Needles Quilt Guild and numerous other local quilting groups.
She will be remembered for her loving dedication to her family.
She was happiest surrounded by her children and grandchildren baking cookies, reading stories and playing with Thomas the Tank Engine. Peg also had a passion for photography, her grandchildren were her favorite subjects.
Just as she pieced scraps of material together to create hundreds of beautiful quilts, she also pieced hundreds of moments together to create a beautiful legacy of kindness and love. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Sarah Matthews ’95 (Business Administration), age 47, of Silver Springs passed away at her home on Tuesday August 25, 2020. She was born in Waukesha, WI on July 24, 1973 a daughter to David and Nancy (Reber) Patrick of Perry. Sarah was a graduate of Perry Central School, class of 1991 and received her Bachelor’s degree in Business from Roberts Wesleyan College.
She was an accountant for many years working for several local businesses. She currently was a business manager at SUNY Geneseo.
Sarah was a member of Hope Chapel in Perry. She enjoyed being outside whether camping, boating or hiking with her family. She enjoyed walking and playing with her dogs, doing taxes for people or was just that person that was always willing to help someone out. She was also a dedicated “Swim Mom” to her sons.
She is survived by her husband: Charles S. “Chip” Matthews II. whom she married on July 27, 1991 , 2 sons: Charles “Sam” Matthews III and Porter Matthews both at home, her parents: David (Nancy) Patrick of Perry, sister: Joy (Kurt) Braselton of Wheatland, brother: Daniel (Margaret) Patrick of Westfield, MA, parents-in-law: David (Janet) Phillips of Silver Springs, grandparents: Cal (Elizabeth) Phillips of Silver Springs, sister-in-law: Sarah (William) Marsh of Pike, 4 brother-in-laws: David (Judy) Phillips II of Silver Springs, Tedd (Julie) Phillips of Silver Springs, Andrew (Joy) Phillips of Syracuse, Vern (Laurie) Phillips of Ocala, FL, along with several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews and friends.
In lieu of flowers, food or any monetary donation, Sarah would have preferred that you just HUG a LOVED ONE.
Patricia J. Mergler-Martin ’08 (Nursing Administration), age 62, passed away peacefully at home unexpectedly on August 7, 2020. She was born December 5, 1957 in Buffalo to Joseph and Trudy (Morse) Mergler.
Trish’s life passion was caring for others and devoted her career serving in the medical field. She enjoyed mentoring countless people as she grew in her profession.
Trish is survived by her husband of 35 years, David, daughter, Trudi Christine Martin, father, Joseph (Millie) Mergler, siblings, Joann (Scotty) Burnette, Douglas (Kim) Mergler, beloved cousin, Sandra (Marc) Scicchitani-Costantino, favorite aunt, Bette Scicchitani, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Trish was predeceased by her mother, Trudy, and brother Joseph B. Mergler.
Arthur J. Nilsen ’78 (Nursing), just wrote a new book entitled, Garth Banner Connects the Dots: A Story of Spiritual Discovery and Discernment. This young-adult novel mingles fiction with reality in the style of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. Marvel as the foundations of faith come alive in this delightful story of discovery. For more information, check out a full description at Amazon by clicking here.
Paul D. Show ’50 (Religion-Philosophy), 94, died on Tues., April 30, 2019. Paul was born on December 3, 1924 in Uniontown, PA the son of Norval and Lucy Wersinger Show.
He was a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College and served over 20 years as a Pastor in the Free Methodist Church. After retiring from pastoral service at East Williamson Free Methodist Paul enjoyed a second career with the Williamson Hardware Store for many years. In his spare time, he enjoyed working outdoors tending his flowers and gardens or spending time reading. Most important to Paul were his family; especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rev. Show was predeceased by his wife Mary Alice; daughter Janet Show and son-in-law Dale Verdine. He is survived by his daughter Joyce Verdine; grandchildren Steven (Shana) Verdine and Dayla (Matthew) Terp and great-grandchildren Olivia and Peyton Verdine and Gavin, Madeline and Carter.
Neil K. Spalding ’63 (Comprehensive Social Studies), 79, of Inverness, FL passed away January 16, 2019 at Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville, FL.
For more news articles, you can take a look at our archive.