The Record Online

Fall 2001

Alumni In Memory

Aldyth Louise (Bruce ’20) Gunderson died December 22, 2000 at the age of 101 in Lodi, CA. She was an honor student while attending Greenville College, graduating cum laude.

Howard E. Winters ’30 passed away March 3, 2001 at age 93. He began his teaching career in science at Greenville High School before moving on as a chemistry and natural science teacher at Michigan State University and Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, MI. He was an active member of the Dearborn Free Methodist Church as a Sunday school teacher and choir member. He also served on various church boards as well as committees at the conference and denominational level. He was secretary of the Board of Trustees at Spring Arbor College for 30 years and spent 10 years as a board member of Asbury Theological Seminary.

Ruth (Baumberger ’30) DeCosted died April 29, 2001 at age 93. She was active in the St. Louis Women’s Club, Central Presbyterian Women of the Church, Wednesday Club of St. Louis, Jefferson Chapter of the DAR, Clayton Garden Club, and St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary. She was also a Girl Scout leader and chairman of the Girl Scout Council of St. Louis.

Dr. David W. Baker ’35 died July 4, 1999 in Chester, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was 83. Through his efforts, the Medical Society of Nova Scotia made history in 1994 when it became the first medical association in Canada to set up a complementary medicine section. The section recognizes doctors that practice alternative medicine by providing a forum to exchange ideas and information with their colleagues. His family moved to Nova Scotia in 1970 when they opened Bonny Lea Farm, a training center for physically and mentally challenged adults. Baker practiced medicine for over 40 years and studied in India, China, France, and Switzerland. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1950. Baker was also an ordained Presbyterian minister.

William D. Dawdy ’35 died September 23, 2000 in Greenville, IL at age 86. Bill served on the Greenville College Alumni Board for many years.

Dr. Ralph Lowell ’38 died December 26, 2000 in Aurora, CO at age 83. He taught biology at North Park College in Chicago, IL for a number of years.

Dorothy Lillian (Meyer ’39) Carlton passed away January 19, 2001 in Lakeland, FL at age 83. She was a retired teacher.

Ruth Marie (Treyz ’41) Mayhew died June 19, 2000 at age 80. She taught school and managed a real estate office as well as being a homemaker.

Lee Lewis ’42 passed away in Dallas TX on July 2, 2000. He was 82. After graduating from Greenville College, he completed a Ph.D. from Purdue University and spent his entire career with DuPont.

Norma Grace (Hockett ’45) Bauer passed away September 1, 2000 at age 75. She was a secondary school teacher for 32 years and a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Illinois Sigma Master Sorority, Phi Delta Kappa, American Cancer Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Association of University Women, and the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries. She received a Master of Science degree in Education in 1961 and a Specialist Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision in 1977.

Dr. Philip R. Bonner ’49 died March 30, 2000 at age 75. He was a noted New York educator and decorated World War II and Korean War veteran. He began his career as a teacher and assistant superintendent in Garden City, MI before serving as associate vice president for Administration at Buffalo State University College. From 1970 to 1982, he was superintendent in O’Fallon, MO and Peru (NY) Central Schools. Following retirement, he served as interim
superintendent in several New York State school systems. He was a member of the American Association of School Administrators, the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association, the New York State Council of School District Administrators and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the Peru Community Church in Peru and the Mariner Methodist Church in Spring Hill, FL.

Clayton Parrott ’49 died December 1, 2000 at age 83. He taught physics and math at a community college.

Mary Martha Onyett Hickey ’50 passed away on July 19, 2000. She was 70. After graduating from Greenville College, she taught and substituted in grades K-12, with most of the years in elementary schools.

Rolland L. Bennett ’52, whose life was dedicated to Christian education, died August 26, 2000 at age 74. He returned to Greenville College in 1968 to become assistant librarian prior to becoming librarian at Asbury College in 1974. In August of 1998, he moved to the Philippines under VISA Ministries and served as librarian at Faith Academy.

David LeMoyne Phelps ’56 died December 9, 2000 at age 64. He was a bank examiner for the state of Washington and ran an oil field business in Oklahoma.

Dr. John Banks ’65 died January 14, 2000 at age 58. He was a board-certified physician in family practice. In addition, he was on staff at several hospitals and was an associate professor of Family Practice at The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He also served on the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. He was a member of the American Osteopathic Association, N.J. Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, the American College of Sports Medicine, the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medicine Association, and the Association of Camden County Osteopathic Physicians. Dr. Banks graduated from The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic medicine in 1969.

Rev. Dr. Anthony Casurella ’68 passed away April 9, 2001 following a rare illness, cerebellar axtaxia, also known as OPCA. He was 54. Dr. Casurella taught for one year at Asbury Seminary, eleven years at Emanuel Bible College in Birkenhead, England, and twelve years at Western Evangelical Seminary (later known as GeorgeFox Evangelical Seminary). In addition, Casurella pastored the United Reformed Church in Durham, England for one year and the Ebenezer Congregational Brethern in Portland, OR for three years. He spent one year as chaplain for St. Mary’s College at the University of Durham. Casurella completed his M.Div. at Asbury Theological Seminary in 1971 and was ordained by the Free Methodist Church in 1974. He received his Ph.D. in 1981 from the University of Durham.

Dr. Richard Christianson ’73 died July 26, 2001 of cancer at age 50. He was a physician in Wisconsin.

Beth Ann “Buffy” (Willms ’89) Brooks passed away December 9, 2000 of a seizure at age 34. She taught junior high math. During her years at Greenville College, she played softball for four years.

Lori Langel ’99 passed away October 15, 2000 following an automobile accident. She was 22. Langel worked for Althardt Chiropractic for six years and taught third grade at Albers Elementary School. She was a member of the First Christian Church.

Faculty In Memory

Dr. Ivan E. Ratcliffe died February 19, 2001. Dr. Ratcliffe was a retired professor and former head of the Communication Department and faculty advisor of WGRN.

Last updated: November 1, 2001