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Share thisAlumni Notes | January 2021
Kathryn E. Buettner ’14 (Psychology) is the Cancer Prevention and Control Health Project Coordinator at Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester.
Helen Haig Canfield ’49, 91, of Fulton, went to be with the Lord on December 7, 2020.
Helen was born in Fulton on Christmas day to Haig and Nevart Shahinian Babikian. Helen was a 1947 graduate of Fulton High School as well as Roberts Wesleyan College.
As a homemaker, Helen invested her whole life in her husband, children and grandchildren for which they are forever grateful. She was a member of the Fulton Free Methodist Church where she held many positions including Sunday School teacher and church organist for over 30 years.
Helen had a caring, giving and servant’s heart, not only for her family but for everyone she knew, and her desire was to spread the message of John 3:16. Helen supported her husband in the Gideon Ministry as an auxiliary member, distributing New Testaments to nurses and medical offices.
Helen has joined her husband Douglas, of 62 years, in heaven.
Helen is survived by four sons: Doug (Ethel), Chris (Windy), David and John. Her five grandchildren: Evangeline, Elizabeth, Emily, Sarah and Silas were the joy of her life.
Sharon Brock Rothen Chapa ’69 (English), 73, Copenhagen, wife of Guadalupe Chapa, passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Lewis County General Hospital, Lowville.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Guadalupe; her stepchildren Suzette Parker, Copenhagen, Jeffrey (Lisa) Oatman, Camden, Julie (Joe) Deveines, Copenhagen, Andrew (Jennifer) Chapa, Alabama, Joseph Chapa, Oswego; 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Sharon was born in Watertown, a daughter to Thomas and Virginia Thompson Brock. She was a graduate of Watertown High School and received her master’s degree in Teaching from Roberts Wesleyan College.
Sharon taught for 35 years in the Copenhagen Central School system, teaching 5th grade, middle school and high school classes. Following her retirement from teaching, Sharon worked in the administration office at Jefferson Community College. Sharon and Lupe were married January 15, 2011.
She was an accomplished pianist and organist, playing for many weddings and other ceremonial functions to include the nurses pinning ceremonies at JCC. She also played at the Parkside Bible Church in Watertown and River Community Church in Clayton.
The funeral service will be streamed on the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home Facebook page. All attendees will be required to wear mask and social distance in accordance with Covid 19 regulations for public gatherings.
Memorial contributions may be made in Sharon’s name to the Copenhagen Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxillary, PO Box 364, Copenhagen, NY 13626 or Chapin Living Waters Foundation, 364 No. Colorado Ave., Watertown, NY 13601.
Kurt Cummings ’99 (Elementary Education), 43, of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., passed away Dec. 4, 2020, after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Kurt was born April 26, 1977, to Stephen Cummings and Patty Lindblom Crist in Jamestown, N.Y.
After graduating from Maple Grove High School in 1995, he went on to study elementary education at Roberts Wesleyan College where he received a scholarship to play college basketball. He later received his master’s degree in special education from Mercyhurst College.
After graduation, he was excited that his first job was as a fifth-grade teacher at his Alma Mater, Bemus Point. He was proud that he was also able to coach high school varsity basketball at the same school he played for where he and his team won the State Championship in 1995. His jersey, number 43, has since been retired at the school after being named D2 Player of the Year. After moving to Florida in 2003, he was a special education teacher and physical education teacher at Alta Vista Elementary School and Sarasota Suncoast Academy Middle School.
In 1998, he met Diane (D’Angelo), and they married in 2001 and lived in Jamestown, N.Y., until they moved to Lakewood Ranch, Fla., in 2003. It is there that they made their home, going on to have two children: James and Jaxon. Kurt’s family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something he often mentioned.
Kurt was passionate about supporting his sons in their love of baseball. He could often be found on the field or on the sidelines cheering them on. They have always both honored him by wearing the number 43 on their baseball jersey. He loved coaching various basketball and baseball teams over the years. Kurt’s smile and heart were as big as he was.
Anyone who knew Kurt knew that he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for.
He is survived by his wife, Diane D’Angelo Cummings; his two children: James and Jaxon Cummings; his mother, Patty Crist; his father and stepmother, Stephen and Sara Cummings; his brother, Kevin (Kesha) Cummings; his inlaws, Samuel and Donna D’Angelo; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Kurt also considered his friends as family, most notably recently to include his baseball family and his Suncoast Academy family.
Kurt was predeceased by his stepfather, J. Douglas Crist; his paternal grandparents, James and Virginia Cummings; and his maternal grandparents James and Betty Lindblom.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and Kurt’s wishes a viewing or service will not be held. In order to have his memory live on for his family and those who love him, an online memorial has been set up. We all know that Kurt loved to tell a good story and always had a joke or anecdote to share. We are asking that you share your stories, anecdotes and/or pictures to: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/AkOY4c0E to honor Kurt’s legacy.
It was Kurt’s wish, that any memorial contributions be made to a youth sports program of your choice in his name or to Sarasota Suncoast Academy Middle School Sports Programs, 8084 Hawkins Road, Sarasota, FL 34241.
Ann Gray Davis ’74 (Nursing) of Taylorsville passed away peacefully at home on November 11, 2020. She was born January 18, l932 in Philadelphia PA to the late Joseph and Elaine (Wheaton) Gray, but was raised in the western part of New York state. Ann led a very accomplished life.
After raising four children, she went back to school at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY to fulfill a lifetime dream of becoming a nurse. She received her BS in nursing and went on to teach nursing for four years at Roberts before going onto Emory University where she received her Master's degree in Psychiatric Nursing and later a Certification by American Nursing Association for Clinical Specialist in Mental Health Nursing.
After graduating from Emory, she moved to NC to teach at Lenoir Rhyne College (now University). Her career took her to Frye Regional Medical Center and then Broughton Hospital where she was the Co-director of Nursing. Upon her retirement in 2003, Ann wrote and published three books. Her hobbies included knitting, reading and writing.
In addition to her parents, Ann was preceded in death by her brother Joseph E. Gray, Jr. and her daughter, Megan Merry Alekson. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter Debbie Davis and husband Gary of Taylorsville, two sons, Paul Davis and wife Pavlina of Burnet TX, and Rev. Dr. Derek Davis of Wayland NY, seven grandchildren, Joanna Murphy (Corey), Katie Hart (Bill), Dylan Davis, Branwyn Card (Albert), Skylar Davis (Jamie), Joel Davis, Christopher Davis and six great-grandchildren and special Friend Vickie Whitworth.
The family would like to thank Community Home Care & Hospice in Statesville for the excellent care given and also Emily Billings who was a tremendous help at the end of Ann's life.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to: Community Home Care & Hospice, 1308 David Avenue, Statesville, NC 28677 or Roberts Wesleyan College 2301 Westside Dr., Rochester NY 14624 or PBS NC Chapel Hill, NC.
Arlene Terman Dragseth ’59, 79, passed away peacefully at home on January 30, 2020. She was born in Columbus, Ohio to William and Virginia Ferne Bowen Terman.
Arlene graduated from Spring Arbor High School, Spring Arbor Junior College, and Taylor University. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University. She was employed as a social worker by the Virginia Department of Social Services, Portsmouth Department of Social Services, and Isle of Wight County Department of Social Services.
Arlene is predeceased by her brother, Dr. William Terman (Bonita). She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Jack Dragseth; her son John; daughter-in-law Meghann; her grandson, Emmett; her brother Dr. C. Richard Terman (Phyllis); nieces and nephews Linda Terman Grimm, Dr. Greg Terman (Polly), S. Mark Terman (Denise), Krista Terman Spaulding (Dale), Dr. Jonathan Terman (Lynn); and goddaughters Anne Lynch Wilber, Margaret Lynch, Martha Lynch Newton, and Morgan Brown.
Elaine Hill Harvey ’67 (Comprehensive Science), age 75, of Warsaw, N.Y., passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, at the Wyoming County Community Hospital in Warsaw. Elaine was born in South Williamsport, Pa., on July 7, 1945, the daughter of the late Stephen and Viola Hill. Elaine was a graduate of South Williamsport High School (1963) and Roberts Wesleyan College (1967) where she made numerous lifelong friends and took part in the choir, including a tour of Europe that she loved to reminisce about to family and friends.
After college, Elaine taught Biology at Warsaw Central High School for several years before getting married and staying home with her children for a time. When her children were of school age, she returned to teaching at Warsaw Christian School, where her children attended during their younger years. She later returned to Warsaw Central High School to finish her career, and the students dedicated the yearbook to her one especially memorable year.
Elaine especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending and singing in church, tending to her flower gardens, reading about, observing and discussing the natural world, and running into former students and colleagues. She was a proud mother and grandmother who loved to show the latest pictures of her family.
Survivors include her loving family, including her husband of 50 years, Dr. Gale H. Harvey; her son, Nathan (Jennifer) Harvey of Schwenksville, Pa., and their children, Brielle, Braeden, Cassidy, and Liam; her son, Todd (Leigh) Harvey of Kittanning, Pa., and their daughters, Aubra, Rebekah, and Brooke; her daughter, Annette (Michael) Nash of Cheektowaga, N.Y., and their sons, Nico, Rocco, and Milo; her daughter, Julia (Nathan) Skinner of Brooklyn, N.Y., and their daughters, Isla and Remi; and her daughter, Alison (Keith) Spear of Cranberry Township, Pa., and their daughter, Coralei.
Elaine was preceded in death by her sister, Lois and is survived by her brothers, Alan (Gulfport, MS) and David (Williamsport, Pa.)
Please visit www.weeksfuneral.com to offer condolences, In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Valley Chapel Free Methodist Church in Warsaw, NY in her memory.
Donald G. Hill ’56 (Physics), 86, of Montoursville passed peacefully at his home on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Janet M. (Hedman) Hill, on April 18, 2015.
Born Sept. 22, 1934 in Saranac, N.Y., he was a son of the late Foster C. and Eulala Marie (Brown) Hill.
Don was a high school graduate and received his bachelors of science in engineering from Roberts Wesleyan College. He served his country proudly in the United States Air Force. Don retired from High Plains Baptist Hospital, Amarillo, Texas, as a manager in clinical engineering.
Don was a member of the GAP Fellowship Church and the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. He enjoyed fishing, biking and spending time with family.
Surviving are his two sons, Paul Hill (Beverly), of Georgetown, Ky., and Peter Hill (Linda), of Smithton, Ill.; a daughter, Susanne Covert (William), of Williamsport; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a brother, James Hill (Cheryl), of Lexington, Ky.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his twin brother, Ronald Hill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Donald’s name to GAP Fellowship, 312 Maynard St., Williamsport, PA 17701.
William J. McKinstry, IV ’04 (Religion-Philosophy) published an article entitled, “Christian Responses to Catastrophes: Re-evaluating Modern So-called Evangelical Responses with a Biblical Lens.” The article was printed in the Korea Presbyterian Journal of Theology (Korea Presbyterian Journal of Theology Vol. 52 No. 4 (2020. 11), 7-35 DOI: 10.15757/kpjt.2020.52.4.001).
Roger K. Peters ’66 (Religion-Philosophy), published a new book, writing as Taylor Penfield. It is a discussion guide for small groups to discuss the implications of Wonder Clearing for discipleship. For more information on the book and discussion book companion, click here.
James G. Rudolph, 93, of Daytona Beach, Fla., formerly of Kittanning, Pa., passed away on Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, at Halifax Hospice Center, Port Orange, Fla.
He was born Oct. 24, 1927, in Kittanning, Pa., to James George Rudolph, Sr. and Miriam Blanche (Edwards) Rudolph.
Jim owned Jim Rudolph's Used Cars on North Grant Avenue in Kittanning, during the 1950s and 1960s. He attended Florida Southern College graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Jim taught at Lakeland Senior High in Lakeland Fla. He then was an Administrator at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, N.Y., Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa., White Chapel Christian School in Daytona Beach, Fla., Warner University in Lake Wales, Fla. and he retired from The Cloisters Retirement Center in Deland, Fla.
Jim was a member of the White Chapel Church of God and he served his country in the U.S. Army/Air Force. Jim was a member of the Noon Rotary of Deland Fla., where he had perfect attendance for 35 years. He previously served as President, Chairman of the YMCA Board and Chairman of the Band of Brothers Prayer Group at Stetson University. Jim traveled to many countries all over the world and took multiple cruises over the years. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed baseball and football.
His memory will be cherished by his loving wife of 36 years, Arline J. Rudolph; daughters, Karen Rudolph and husband, John Mark Tallent, of Lake Placid, Fla., Barbara Kriner and husband, The Rev. Don Kriner, of Canton, Ga., Patricia Rosenberger and husband, Michael Rosenberger, of Kittanning, Pa. and Sandra Simon, of Lakeland, Fla.; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 19 great-great-grandchildren; and the mother of his children, Shirley Pryor Rudolph.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a cousin, Marian Barker.
Phyllis Nelson Shumaker ’63 (Comprehensive Social Studies), a resident of Legacy Village Homes in Xenia, Ohio, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior, November 22, 2020.
Born November 7, 1941, in Wauseon, Ohio, Phyllis was a graduate of Chesterfield-Dover High school. She graduated from Spring Arbor Junior College in Jackson, Michigan with an A. A., and from Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, New York with a B.A. in Secondary Education. She received a M. A. in Religious Education from Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and, in later years, a M. A. in Spanish Literature from the University of Cincinnati.
Phyllis served many years with her husband, John T. (Tim) Shumaker in missionary work in Paraguay and Mexico, developing Bible materials and teaching and training national leaders in her fluent Spanish. Upon returning to the US she taught Spanish at Dayton Christian Schools, Dayton, Ohio. She also taught in Ohio public high schools in Washington and Perry counties.
Phyllis was a seamstress all her life. She sewed clothes for herself including her wedding gown and later clothes and blankets for her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her favorite shopping trip was to buy fabric remnants at Joann Fabrics.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Miles Henry Nelson and Arlene Genevieve (Kling) Nelson. She is survived by her husband, John T. (Tim) Shumaker and four children, Beth Anne (James), John Mark (Nadine), Timothy Lee (Laura), and Karla Ruth (Joshua), and 12 grandchildren, Sean (Angela and children), Erin (David), Nathan, Felicia (Matt and children), Michelle, Valarie (Aaron), Kirsten (Joseph), Rose, Emma, Alexandria, Samantha, and Mallory. She will also be missed by her extended family of nieces and nephews, cousins and brothers and sisters in law.
In place of flowers, a memorial fund for foreign missions has been established in Phyllis’ name at her home church; Huber Heights Free Methodist, Huber Heights, 6875 Old Troy Pike, Dayton, OH,45424.
Edward M. Simpson ’63 was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, in Ebensburg. The sixth of 10 children of Thomas and Mary (Sickles) Simpson, he was born Sept. 27, 1938, in Smock.
Following his service in the Navy, he worked for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y. After his retirement, he enjoyed working as a courier for a law firm in Rochester before retiring to Venice, Fla.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four of his siblings, infant twins, brother, Richard Simpson, and sister, Gayle Durst. He will be greatly missed by his three sons, Todd Simpson (Robin), of Latrobe, Stephen Simpson, of Hilton, N.Y., and Troy Simpson, of Fort Mill, S.C. Also surviving are his brothers, Thomas Simpson (Allegra), and David Simpson (Anita); sisters, Delores Marx, Alice Estabrook (Leland), and Lois Butler; grandchildren, Ashley Dukat (Jeff), Hayley Leach (Sam), Brynn Mott (Nate), and Taylor, Reagan, Spencer, Amanda and Chase Simpson, and Kaitlin and Linnea Tyrell; two great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and cousins too numerous to count.
Ed will be remembered for his compassion for others, his love of Jesus, and the beautiful voice with which he sang the hymns he learned as a young man growing up in the Free Methodist Church. He was a caring son, father, grandfather, and friend. Until his decline due to Lewy body dementia, he lived his retirement years to the fullest, enjoying the Florida sunshine with his special friend, Susan, visiting with family around the country, singing in church and community choirs, and serving as an usher at a local theater.
Memorial contributions in Ed's name can be made to Revere Free Methodist Church, 140 Ash St., Uledi, PA 15484 or Honor Flight Rochester Inc., P.O. Box 23581, Rochester, NY 14692. To send condolences, please visit www.FrederickFuneralHome.com.
Susan Stockton Snyder ’83 (Nursing) received a Doctor of Nursing Practice at Oakland University on December 19, 2020.
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