THE RECORD Online

Spring 2000

Alumni in Memory

Dr. Indimiun Daniel (I.D.) Baker ’33, GC professor emeritus of education, died March 5, 2000 at the age of 93. Dr. Baker graduated from Greenville cum laude in 1933 with a B.S. degree in science. He went on to earn two master’s degrees and a Ph.D., all from the University of Illinois.

His love for learning guided him into the public school setting, including 17 years as superintendent in four different school districts, where he served until 1956. During this time, he served on GC’s board of trustees for two years as vice chairman and one year as chairman. In 1956 he was appointed executive vice president of the college and associate professor of education.

Dr. Baker went on to serve the college in a number of capacities, including director of alumni affairs, director of public relations and development, director of church relations, assistant director of admissions, chairman of the Division of Teacher Education, and chairman of the Department of Education.

During his tenure, Greenville College was accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education for the first time. Dr. Baker was also instrumental in beginning the professional semester and student teaching programs at the college.

Bergen Birdsall ’33 died Oct. 18, 1998 at the age of 88. He was a retired clergyman and resided in Santa Ana, CA. Richard Blowers ’51 died Aug. 27, 1999. He was a retired engineer and resided in Thousand Oaks, CA. Donald H. Bowen ’47 died July 17, 1999. Don was student body president at GC 1946-47. He spent his life in the work of the Lord as a Free Methodist missionary to Brazil from 1951-61, then director of personnel and VISA in the World Missions Department in Winona Lake, IN.

Walter Brannon ’84 died March 29, 1999 at the age of 72. His leadership and dedication as president of Light & Life Park was an integral part of his life.

Mary Mannoia Chapman ’49 died Nov. 5, 1999. She was a retired teacher who taught Spanish, English, and reading at the high school level in Eunice, LA for 24 years. She was also a tour guide for many years.

Clara Holtforth ’25 died Nov. 4, 1999 at the age of 98. She had always wanted to be a missionary, but her frail health prevented her from achieving that goal. After graduation, she became a teacher and principal for 44 years and was active in the Free Methodist Church. Because of her strong desire to support missions, she left the bulk of her estate to the Free Methodist Foundation for the cause of missions. In her own way, Clara was a missionary in her heart. Her testimony of word and deed is proof of her undying devotion to serve her Lord.

Gladys Ellen (Deardorff ’30) Miller died Jan. 28, 2000 at age 94. She graduated from high school and junior college at Central in McPherson, KS and finished college at Greenville. She took a 5th year at Seattle Pacific many years later. She was active in literary society and declamatory as well as excelling in sports (especially basketball) and music, winning her share of contests. She met her husband, Mendal, at GC, and they were married in 1932. They shared over 60 years of marriage before he preceded her in death.

Laura Louise Mouser ’33 died Sept. 18, 1999 at age 88. She was a dedicated mother and wife while her husband taught high school and later college, in Iowa and Michigan. Laura was also very involved in her local church, Red Cedar Evangelical Free Church.

Rev. M. Clement Parr ’55 died Dec. 25, 1995 while pastoring at the First United Methodist Church in Saginaw, MI. During his college years, he was student body president from 1954-55. After graduation, he pastored for 9 years in the Free Methodist Church and for 27 years in the Detroit Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Joni Lyn (Isacksen) Beatty ’85 died Jan. 5, 2000 at the age of 36 following a 6-year battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her husband and 4 children.

Joni loved her Greenville family and treasured the years she spent on campus. As she pursued her accounting degree, she forged friendships to last a lifetime.

After graduation, she was initially employed in her field of accounting. But she soon devoted her time fully to the raising and home schooling of their 4 children: Jim, age 11; Rebecca, 9; Andrea, 7; and John, 5.

“We are so thankful for your prayers and support through the years,” writes her husband of 14 years, Jim Beatty. “Joni was always thrilled to see the hand of God at work as you brought us before Him on a regular basis.”

Last updated: May 16, 2000