Let Us Remember

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. James Woodrow Cook, 94 who passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at EC Campus of United Methodist Homes, Binghamton, NY. Jim was born March 10, 1929, to William Lee and Ila Jackson Cook in Bluefield, West Virginia and grew up in Dublin, Virginia.  He graduated from Dublin High School in 1947, and served four years in the US Navy from 1948 -1952, as an Aviation Metalsmith 3rd Class, in San Diego, CA and Atsugi, Japan during the ...

April 2, 2023 Over the years we have held Bishop Bickerton’s father in our prayers. It is with sorrow that we inform you that “Jim” has entered the church triumphant.   Let us remember the life and ministry of James “Jim” Bickerton, 87 of Palmetto, FL who passed away Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, FL.   Jim was born December 9, 1935 in Moundsville, WV, the son of the late Orville and Wanda Purdy Bickerton. He was a retired glass mold maker from Fostoria Glass ...

March 28, 2023 Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. T. Anne Daniel, 69, of Chauncey, NH on March 28, 2023. T. Anne came to the New York Conference from the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas.  She served Manhattan: Madison Ave. UMC and Bronx: Wakefield Grace UMC. T. Anne retired at the June 2020 Annual Conference. She leaves to mourn her husband Sydney Daniel of Vermont, St. Vincent, her sons Ansyd and Alister Daniel and their wives Praise and ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Eugene Henry Haaf, 96, who passed away just two weeks shy of his 97th birthday (April 5), on March 23, 2023. He still sported a generous amount of black hair, recalling the little boy from D Street, Derby, who loved his mother's liver soup ("Why don't you make that anymore, Ma?" "Oh, 'Gene, it was the Depression! Liver was all we could afford!"). The little boy was just a teenager when WWII brought the draft. He served in the ...

March 11, 2023 Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Carlos E Ibarra, 90, of Cobleskill, NY who  died on Saturday, March 11, 2023. He is the widower of Rev. Barbara J. Ibarra who died in October 2021. Carlos was born in Salta, Argentina, on January 16, 1933. He was the son of Luis Alberto Ibarra and Mercedes Fernandez de Ibarra. As a boy, Carlos worked beside his dad in the family bicycle shop where he learned the value of hard work, which would serve him well through ...

March 1, 2023 Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Billy Guy Vestal, 94 of Penny Farms, FL who passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Billy was born on July 21, 1928 in Abingdon, Virginia to Eugene Clark, Sr. and Ollie Pearl (Kestner) Vestal. Rev. Vestal graduated from Emory and Henry College in Virginia and received an M.Div from Drew University. Billy served his country in the United States Air Force.   He received his License to Preach on June 10, 1951 in the ...

February 19, 2023 Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Walter C Barton, Jr, 73, who passed away on Wednesday, Sunday, February 19, 2023. Walter was born on December 22, 1949 in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was the oldest of four children born to Walter Clyde Barton, Sr. and Amy Lee (Cook) Barton. Walter graduated from Boston English High School in 1967. He graduated from Springfield College, in 1971, with a degree in psychology. In 1973 he graduated with a Masters in ...

January 26, 2023 Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Doris Kearsley Brooks 91, who died on Thursday, January 26, 2023.   Doris was the widow of Rev. Elemit Brooks who served in the New York Conference. Among the churches he pastored were St Albans: Grace, Brooklyn: Union and Jamaica: Brooks Memorial. Rev. Brooks retired in 1995 and died in 2010. As of this time there is no obituary for Doris. We will update this Let Us Remember as we receive more information about Doris. ...

December 29, 2022 Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Robert C. Schrock, 95, of Cincinnati, Ohio who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, December 29, 2022.   Robert was licensed to preach in 1947 in the North East Ohio Conference. He transferred to the New York Conference in 1955 and served the following New York churches: First UMC in Brewster, NY; St. Paul and St. Andrew in Manhattan; and Pound Ridge and Vista UMCs in NY. Rev. Schrock retired in 1978. ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. David C. Houston, 88, who passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY. David was born in Bronxville, NY to Margaret C. and Ralph M. Houston. He was joined several years later by a sister, Susan M. Houston (Judy Kaplan). Pastor Houston graduated from Hebron Academy, West Virginian Wesleyan College and Garret Theological Seminary of Northwestern University. He was licensed to preach in ...

12/6/2022 Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Marian Bundy Taylor, 100, who died on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 in Shelton, CT.  She is the widow of Rev. Lyman “Bud” Taylor.   Marian celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the Wicke Health Care Center in Shelton, CT.  According to her friends she was looking forward to this celebration and talked often about reaching “100 years!”  According to her son, Larry Taylor, the Shelton ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Susumu Ando, 70, who entered his eternal Home peacefully in Allentown, PA, on December 6, 2022. Susumu was born on May 26, 1952, to Minoru and Kazuko Ando in Nagoya, Japan.  He graduated from Musashino Art University in Tokyo, Japan, as a design major.  In 1979 he came to the United States to study at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York where he received the Master of Fine Art in oil painting.  Following a job for practical ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Edward Lee Eastman III (Ned), 93, of Oneonta, NY who passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at his home. He was born on August 15, 1929 to Edward L. Eastman, Jr. and Alice Dodge Eastman in Elmira, NY. Ned attended Wesleyan University in CT where he earned a BA in philosophy in 1951. He then received an MDiv at the Union Theological Seminary in NYC in 1954. Ned married Jane Elizabeth Gruver on January 28, 1956, at the...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Jane Alice (McCulloch) Sibley, 77, who passed away peacefully on Monday, November 28, 2022. She was the beloved wife of Robert F. Sibley (Bob) for 57 years. She was born in Buffalo, NY, on August 21, 1945, to the late Herbert G. and Margaret (Leonard) McCulloch. She graduated from Andrew Warde H.S. in Fairfield, CT in 1963. In 1965 she and Bob married and raised their three sons in Easton, CT, their home for 33 years. A longtime ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Angelo Santos Chupungco, known as “Mikey” amongst his closest friends, of Pleasantville,  NY who died on Sunday, November 20, 2022. He was born on April 20,1975   in Pasig, Manila, Philippines to Aida Chupungco. Angelo, “Mikey” is survived by his wife, Rev. Susan Chupungco. He graduated from Hofstra University and was a life-long public servant. Angelo was the owner and operator of Public Safety Training Institute, LLC  and a member of ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Christopher D. Doyle, Jr., 76, of Draper, VA who passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2022. The son of Lt. Col. Christopher D. Doyle and Evelyn E. Doyle, Chris grew up in Brooklyn until he was seven years old. After his brother was born, the family moved to East Meadow, Long Island, where they met Rev. Arnold C. Miller, who greatly influenced Chris’ family and later encouraged Chris to join the ministry. While in East Meadow, Chris ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. Richard Stuart Monkman, 94, of Unionvale, NY who passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022. Richard was born on January 1, 1928 to Catherine Appleby and Louis Monkman in Roseau, Minnesota. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the US Navy and served during the Korean War. Upon returning from the war, Richard attended seminary. He was licensed to preach in 1955 and ordained full elder in the New York East Conference in ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Grace Van Aken Owen, 91, of Morehead City, NC who died on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Grace was born on June 26, 1931, in Trenton, NJ, to the late John F. Van Aken and Sadie Collins Van Aken. Grace  was the widow of Rev Landon K. Owen, Jr.  Rev. Owen served churches in Bayville NJ and in the NY Bayport and Whitestone UMC’s on Long Island. Rev. Owen died in 2020. When she was nearly forty, Grace attended college, followed by graduate ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. John J. Senkewich, 82, of Newburgh, NY, who went home to the Lord on Sunday, October 9, 2022 while in the comforting presence of his loving family. John was born in Manhattan, NY on June 7, 1940, the son of John and Mary (Panko) Senkewich. He completed his undergraduate studies at Fordham University and earned his master’s degree from Pace University. John was an executive with the New York Stock Exchange and retired after 30 years...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Janice Lou Perkins Krauss, 85, of Bristol, CT who died on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at the Ingraham Manor in Bristol, CT. Janice was born on July 22, 1937 in Owensboro, KY to Mamie Lee (Thompson) Perkins and J Dewey Perkins. She was born into a musical Methodist family. Her grandfather, William Prince Perkins, was a Methodist minister and her grandmother, Susan Perkins, was an early Methodist lay speaker. Her father was a choral bass ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Stuart (Stu) Baker, 83, of Cornwall, PA who passed away on Friday, September 23, 2022 at Cornwall Manor. He was the husband of Carolyn R. (Reinoehl), with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage. Stuart was born in Sturgis, MI on April 6, 1939 to the late Luther W. and Emmy Lou (Rider) Baker. He received a Master’s in Theology from Yale Divinity School. Stuart served on various committees and boards for the New York Annual ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. David E. Huff, 87, of Franklin, NH who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at the Golden Crest in Franklin. He was born in Batavia, NY on April 27, 1935, son of Ernest R. and Dorris I. (Skiff) Huff. David grew up in the Batavia, NY area and was a graduate of Batavia High School in 1953. In high school David was student council president, as well as a member of the tennis team, school choir and glee club. David ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Kathleen Mylott Bienvenue, 75, who died on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.   Kathleen was born in Fitchburg, MA. She retired as an instructor of English at Pace University. Upon her husband’s retirement they moved to Athens, GA and became active in St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church.   Kathleen is the widow of Rev. Gordon Bienvenue, who was an associate member of the New York Annual Conference and served Germantown, Elizaville, West ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Kathleen (Kathi) Meyerson, 69, of Verbank, NY, who died on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Kathleen was born on July 29, 1952 in York Harbor, ME. She moved to Westchester County and graduated from John Jay High School in Katonah. She earned her degrees in education from Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts. Kathi was a physical education and health teacher at Lincoln Hall in Lincolndale, NY and a long time member of First United ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Marion Cornelius Mitchell, 82, of Valdosta, GA, who entered the church triumphant on June 7, 2022 at home under the care of hospice. He was a man of faith believing that the promised life in eternity with God would be so much better than this earthly one, so he surrendered peacefully and gratefully to rest in the arms of God. Marion was born to Marie Jones Mitchell and Julius Caesar (J.C.) Mitchell on June 16, 1940 in Sycamore, GA ...

Trudy L. Grove, a long-time staff member at The United Methodist City Society, entered the church triumphant on May 28, 2022. She indicated to many that she did not want any fuss when she died, but her friends thought differently. There will be a Memorial Service at 10:00am on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the Church of the Village, 201 West 13th Street (corner  of 13th St and Seventh Ave), New York, NY. Trudy served with dedication and distinction from 1964 until her retirement in 2011. She ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. James J. Midgley, 63, of North Haven, CT, who died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. He is the beloved husband of MaryEllen Adams Midgley. Born in Englewood, NJ on June 7, 1959, he is the son of Helene Marie Cosgrove Midgley of Florida and the late James Ambrose Midgley. Pastor Jim, a native of Shelton, CT, was a 1979 graduate of Shelton High School, completed his undergraduate studies in philosophy at St. Hyacinth...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Nathaniel Dixon, Jr., 72, who died surrounded by his wife and children on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Nathaniel Dixon, Jr., lovingly known by his family as “the silver fox,” was born on March 19, 1950 in Richmond, VA. He grew up in the Pelham Parkway Houses (Bronx, NY) with his parents and sister. As a youth he enjoyed competing in sports and discovered a deep passion and aptitude for music, developing a love for playing the saxophone ...

Toby Chase Jacobsen, son of retired clergy Rev. Roy E. and Mary Ellen Jacobsen, died on February 22, 2022. His Let Us Remember indicated that a memorial service would be held in the spring. Below is the invitation and details for that service. Memorial Service for Toby Chase Jacobsen A memorial service will be held for Toby Jacobsen, 51, at the New Life United Methodist Church, 1 Beaver Bog Rd, New Fairfield, CT at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Pastoral colleagues, friends and family of ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. Johnny Lee Ceasar, 66, of Durham, NC, who died at home on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Johnny was born on April 9, 1956, the son of Marxhall Ceasar, Sr. and Louise Scott Ceasar. Licensed to preach in 1982, Johnny served Shaw Chapel in Manhattan and as associate pastor at Metropolitan Community UMC in Manhattan. As a provisional elder he served Trinity UMC in the Bronx (Morrisania). Johnny was ordained an elder in the New York ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Margaret (Margey) Walker Pfeiffer, 82, who died on Thursday, March 24, 2022. She was born December 10, 1939. Margey grew up in Greencastle, PA and graduated from Grove City College, Grove City, PA and received her master’s degree in special education from Southern Connecticut State University. She taught elementary education in New York State public schools, served as a substance abuse counselor in New York and Connecticut, and worked as...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Kwamena D. Amos, 81, who died on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Rev. Kwamena Dondorful Amos was born on August 3, 1940, to Madam Comfort Edwine Aacht and Mr. Matthew Kow French.  Rev. Amos started his early education at Shama Methodist primary and middle schools, in the Western Region of Ghana. He attended Osei Tutu Teacher Training College in Kumasi, Ghana, following which he taught for several years before enrolling in Trinity ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Richard W. Mellerup, 92, of Bangor, ME who died on Friday, March 4, 2022. He was born January 7, 1930 in New Haven, CT. Richard was raised in New Haven and graduated from that city's schools before earning a bachelor's degree from The Defiance College in Defiance, OH. He went on to do graduate work at the Bangor Theological Seminary, Boston University and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Much of Richard’s pastoring was in ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Richard “Dick” Clayton Williams, 90, of Boulder, CO who died on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. He was born March 31, 1931 in Colorado Springs, CO. Dick graduated from Harvard Divinity School with a Master of Sacred Theology, from New School of Social Research with a master's degree in sociology and from University of Colorado with a PhD in mathematical sociology. He came to the New York Conference in 1959 and was appointed to Trinity UMC ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. David James Randolph, Jr., 87, who died at his residence in Santa Rosa, CA on Saturday, February 26, 2022. David was born on May 13, 1934 in Elkton, MD. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1956 and entered Drew University School of Theology, where he studied with Carl Michalson, Stanley Hopper and Jane (Karlin) Dillenberger. In 1957 David was ordained a deacon and became pastor of Hockessin UMC in Delaware. Ordained...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Judith Ann Bennett, 87, of Shelton, CT who died on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Judy was born on September 7, 1934 in Portland, OR.  Judy attended Portland State University, studying English and elementary education, and Willamette University in Salem, OR, where she studied philosophy and religion. She married David W. Bennett in 1953 and they moved to the east coast. She received a B.A. from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Tobjorn (Toby) Chase Jacobsen, 51, of Bethesada, MD who died unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Toby is the oldest son of Rev. Roy E. and Mary Ellen Jacobsen. Toby was born on December 11, 1970 in New York City where his father was attending Union Theological Seminary and followed his parents to their first appointment in the New York Conference at New Fairfield & Gaylordsville in Connecticut. Toby was joined by younger brothers...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Carol Jane May Paxton Perkins, 93, of St. John’s, FL, who died on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Carol Jane was born on May 18, 1928 to Wilson and Mildred Paxton of Detroit, MI. Carol Jane was an exemplary student, taking an early interest in early childhood education. She graduated from Albion College in 1950, Phi Beta Kappa, and later obtained a master’s degree in early childhood education at Adelphi College on Long Island.  In Detroit,...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Elaine Welsh of Bronx, NY, who died on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Elaine was a retired Deacon who was ordained in the New York Conference in June 2004. She retired in June 2015. Details about Elaine’s life and ministry will be shared at a later time. There will be a viewing from 5:00–7:00pm on Friday, February 25, 2022 at Crawford Memorial UMC, 3757 White Plains Road, Bronx NY 10467. The funeral service for Elaine will begin at ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Patricia C. Barnes, 86, of Avon, CT, who died on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at the John Dempsey Hospital of the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington following a brief illness. Patricia is the wife of retired pastor Rev. William Seth Barnes. Pat was born on March 7, 1936 in New Britain, CT to Edward and Bertha Corcoran. Educated in the New Britain and Bristol public school systems, she graduated from Bristol High School ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Tallie Louise Keahey Sneller, 96, of Burnsville, NC, who died on Thursday, February 3, 2022. Tallie was the widow of Rev. Donald Sneller, who died in 2019. Tallie was born in Forney, TX on August 5, 1925. Her father was employed by Northern Natural Gas Pipeline. The family gradually moved their way north with the pipeline, living for a short time in many small towns along the way until they reached Minnesota. They settled in a community ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. Frederick G. Mech, 93, who died surrounded by his family on Saturday, January 15, 2022. The son of John C. Mech and Gertrude Mech, Frederick was born on July 7, 1928 in Baltimore, MD. He attended Patterson Park High School and graduated from Albright College, majoring in sociology. He received his divinity degree from Drew University Theological Seminary, cum laude, and was ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church. ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Richard “Dick” Ryley, 88, of Clearwater, FL, who died on Friday, January 7, 202 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was born July 31, 1934 in New York City. Dick was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church in 1966. He served Norwalk: Rowayton UMC in Norwalk, CT; Plainview UMC on Long Island; Christ UMC in Beacon, NY;  Verbank UMC in NY; and St. Paul’s UMC in Middletown, NY. He also served as chaplain ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Wellman Joel Warner, Jr, 90, of St. Petersburg, FL who died on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. He was born October 29, 1931 in Columbus, OH to Miriam Saint Warner and Dr. Wellman J. Warner. Joel grew up in Central Pennsylvania, attending Mercersburg Academy, a boys prep school, for his last few years of high school. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a bachelor's in sociology and took a master’s year in sociology at New ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of James Z. Gadzini, 75, who died on Thursday, December 30, 2021. James is the husband of Rev. Penny Gadzini, pastor at St. James UMC in Lynbrook, NY. James Zithulele, or "Thuli", born on August 28, 1946, is the child of George Selikane of Botswana and Snombina Vera Ncapai of South Africa, the daughter of a Methodist minister. He had pleasant childhood memories of life with family on a farm near the ocean, and he especially loved the ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Joseph Leland Upole, 67, of Staten Island, NY who died on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Staten Island University Hospital. He was born November 21, 1954 in Morgantown, WV to Paul Lofton Uphole and Virginia Hemings. Joseph was a graduate of Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV and Wesley Seminary, Washington DC. He studied toward a doctoral degree at Drew University, Madison NJ. He was ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church in...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Jack Dale Middleton who died peacefully on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at John Knox Village, Pompano Beach, FL. Jack Dale Middleton was born on December 22, 1939 in Tulsa, OK. It is said that only those who are great die on their birthdays and in the eyes of his family and all who knew him, Jack was great. His early years were spent enjoying family, hunting and fishing with his father, playing the violin (when his parents learned he had...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. James Wyrtzen, 79, of Carlsbad, CA who died on Sunday, December 12, 2021. James was born August 27, 1942 in Queens, NY. James was ordained an elder in the New York Conference in June 1968. He spent most of his time in extension ministries, serving as Counselor at the American Foundation for Religion and Psychology in New York City; Executive Director of the Center for Creative Living in Allendale, NJ; Director of Training at the ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Glenn I. Miller, 79, of Beaufort, SC, who died on Sunday, December 5, 2021. Glenn was born on February 6, 1942 and grew up on Long Island, NY in the village of Valley Stream. Glenn received a B.S. from Tusculum College, a B.D. from Yale Divinity School, an S.T.M from New York Theological Seminary along with a certificate in pastoral counseling from the New York Post Graduate Center of Mental Health, and a D.Min. from Columbia ...

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Gregory Francis Black, 76, of Evansville, IN who died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Greg, the son of Rev. Gene F. Black, grandson of Rev. John B. Glenwood, brother of Rev. Betsy J. Ott and uncle of Rev. Gene I. Ott, was an active and engaged United Methodist layperson his entire life.  Greg was born in Catskill, NY to Faith and Gene Black. During his childhood his father attended seminary in ...