2012 JOURNALMemoirs

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22. MEMOIRS

Those We Honor

DEcEaSED clERgy

Warren g. Spellman, retired minister, was born May 6, 1924, and died June 13, 2011, at the age of 87. He was married to Martha on October 6, 1946. They had two daughters, Linda and Jeannette. Martha died December 13, 2007. Warren served Lincoln Lakeview, Wauneta, Grant, Valentine, North Platte-Tryon, Syracuse-Unadilla, Alma-Huntley, and Plainview-Crawford Valley before retiring in 1989. A memorial service was held at the United Methodist Church in Aurora on June 17. Interment of ashes was at Lincoln Memorial Park in Lincoln.

Robert W. Barrick, retired minister, was born December 17, 1932, and died June 15, 2011, at the age of 78. He was married to Judy on June 29, 1968. Robert served churches in the Kansas West Conference. He took a year’s Leave of Absence and then moved to Nebraska. He served Exeter-Milligan and Mullen-Tryon before retiring in 2011. A burial service was held at the Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond, Ind.

Everett S. Reynolds, retired minister, was born February 25, 1928, and died July 7, 2011, at the age of 83. He was married to Shirley on December 24, 1950. They had three sons Everett Jr., Harold (Trip), and Rev. Wayne Reynolds, a clergy member of the Nebraska Conference. After attending seminary, Everett served a church in the Missouri East Conference until moving to Nebraska. He served Grand Island and Lincoln Newman. After that he served churches in the Kansas West Conference. He then served in the Northern Illinois and Missouri East Conferences. Then he returned to Nebraska and served Omaha Clair Memorial until his retirement in 1991. He served Omaha Lefler in retirement. Throughout his career Everett was a tireless leader in the Civil Rights Movement. A funeral service was held July 16 at Clair Memorial. Interment was at West Lawn Cemetery in Omaha. Note: Shirley Reynolds died December 18, 2011.

Milton E. Merritt, retired minister, was born December 20, 1925, and died November 5, 2011, at the age of 85. He was married to Mary on August 9, 1947. They had four children, Betsy Jo, Judith, Milton Jr., and Susan. He later married Patricia on April 6, 1985. Milton served in the Dakotas Conference and then attended seminary. After that he came to Nebraska where he served Mira Valley and Mira Valley-Ord. Then he became a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. He retired in 1982. Services were held November 29, 2011, at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Protestant Chapel in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

charles D. Mitchell, retired minister, was born August 11, 1931, and died December 12, 2011, at the age of 80. He was married to Jane on May 28, 1954. They had two children, Kenneth and Susan. Charles had a long career in Nebraska serving churches in Emerald, Lynch-Monowi, Clearwater-Ewing, Lincoln Heights, Maywood-Wellfleet, Guide Rock-Bostwick, Overton, Hopewell-Crab Orchard, North Bend-

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Morse Bluff, Weeping Water, Custer Parish, Central City Fairview-Archer Zion, Elmwood, Chester-Hubbell, Exeter, Kenesaw, Big Springs, Arnold and Greeley. He also served briefly in the Kentucky Conference. Charles retired in 1996. Services were held December 15, 2011 at Faith UMC in Grand Island. Interment was at the Westlawn Cemetery in Grand Island.

connie J. Buehler, retired minister, was born March 28, 1930, and died December 29, 2011, at the age of 81. He married Metta on June 16, 1957. They had three children, Brenda, John and James. Metta died May 13, 1996. Connie married Marie on August 29, 1999. He served Prairie Home and then attended seminary. After that he served Palmer-Archer, Elgin-Oakdale, Dewitt First-Zion, Loup City-Litchfield, Loup City, Palisade and Pawnee City. He retired in 1993. Services were held January 3, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Village All Saints Chapel in Hastings. Burial was at the Hopewell Cemetery near Sterling.

c. Irene coates, retired minister and widow of Harold J. Coates, was born May 27, 1927, and died February 7, 2012 at the age of 84. Irene and Harold were married June 20, 1947. They had five sons, Gerald (who died October 3, 2011 — see below), Larry, the Rev. Dale Coates, a clergy member of the Conference, Duane and Glenn. Harold served Bladen-Plainview, Beatrice–La Selle, Talmage, Beaver City, Hay Springs, Nelson-Nora, Oxford-Atlanta, Benedict-Bradshaw, Beaver Crossing-Salem, Neligh-Clearwater, Madison-Fairview, and Greeley-Bartlett-Ericson. After Harold’s death in 1986, Irene entered the ministry. She served Wallace, Gibbon Bethel, and Filley before retiring in 1997. A funeral service was held February 14 at Trinity UMC in Grand Island. Burial was at the Beaver Crossing Cemetery.

Nye O. Bond, retired minister, was born August 5, 1916, and died March 12, 2012, at the age of 95. He was married to Garnett on June 27, 1941. They had three children, Judy, Cynthia and Larry. Nye served Greenwood and then was appointed to attend school. After that he served Palmer, then became a chaplain in the U.S. Army. He returned to Nebraska and served Clay Center, Cozad First, Lincoln Christ, Omaha District Superintendent, Jefferson County Parish and Lincoln Trinity before retiring in 1983. A memorial service was held April 17 at Christ UMC in Lincoln. Note: Nye was preceded in death by Garnett who died July 13, 2011. See below.

Joree (Joe) c. Bennett, retired minister, was born June 13, 1937, and died March 21, 2012, at the age of 74. Joe and Deloris were married May 31, 1959. They had two children, Christy and Brian. Joe served the Alma Larger Parish and McCool Junction. He then was appointed to attend school. After that he served Elba-Scotia-Cotesfield, Scotia Larger Parish, Broken Bow, Oshkosh-Kowanoa-Lewellen, Fairbury-Endicott-Helvey and Dakota City-Homer. He retired in 1985. A funeral service was held March 24, 2012, at Wyuka Funeral Home in Lincoln. Burial was at the Wyuka Cemetery.

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SPOUSES

garnett l. Bond, wife of Nye Bond, was born October 25, 1918 and died July 13, 2011, at the age of 92. Please see names of children and service record for Nye Bond listed above. A memorial service was held August 1 at Christ UMC in Lincoln.

gerald (gary) coates, husband of Carole Coates and son of clergy couple Harold and Irene Coates, was born June 8, 1948, and died October 3, 2011, at the age of 63. Gary and Carole were married September 9, 1972. They had two daughters, Jennifer and Elizabeth. Carole serves Haigler. Services were held October 13, 2011 at the Benkelman UMC. Burial was at the Grandview Cemetery in Gothenburg.

carol a. Kirtley, widow of Frank Kirtley, was born February 23, 1923, and died October 22, 2011, at the age of 88. Frank and Carol were married June 25, 1943. They had three sons, Al, Frank and Paul. Carol is also survived by two foster daughters, Barbara and Katherine. After attending seminary, Frank was appointed in the Wisconsin Conference. Then he came to Nebraska and served churches in Waverly, Broken Bow, York, York First-Waco, Wayne-Carroll, Falls City Parish and Gordon-Clinton before retiring in 1992. A funeral service was held October 26 at the United Methodist Church in Clay Center, Kan. Burial was at the Lowry City Cemetery in Lowry City, Mo.

Shirley J. Reynolds, widow of Everett Reynolds, was born November 6, 1930, and died December 18, 2011, at the age of 81. Please see names of children and service record for Everett Reynolds listed above. A funeral service was held December 23 at Omaha Lefler with interment at the West Lawn Cemetery in Omaha.

James l. Voigt, husband of Martha Voigt, was born September 14, 1929, and died January 13, 2012, at the age of 82. James and Martha were married January 29, 1950. They had three children, Susan, Steve and Doug. Martha served Triune Parish, Adams-Hopewell, Utica-Ebenezer-Ulysses, Neligh-Clearwater-Oakdale before retiring in 1997. In retirement she served Elgin and Elba-Cotesfield. She continues to serve Cotesfield. A celebration of life was held January 22 at the United Methodist Church in St. Paul.

abbie Haynes, widow of Waitman Haynes, was born June 11, 1916, and died January 22, 2012, at the age of 95. Abbie and Waitman were married June 30, 1940. They had four daughters, Lynn, Sue, Annie and Gayle. Waitman served churches in the Oklahoma Conference and came to Nebraska where he served Omaha First. After that he took a Sabbatical and Leave of Absence before retiring in 1981. A funeral service was held January 25, 2012 at Draper Park Christian Church in Oklahoma City. Burial was at Sunset Memorial Park in Norman, Okla.

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Delpha B. (yoder) Findley was born March 6, 1930, and died February 26, 2012, at the age of 81. Delpha and Ingram Yoder were married December 25, 1955. They had two children, Steve and Kim. After Ingram attended seminary, they served as a missionary team teaching at Iquique English College in Iquique, Chile until Ingram’s death in 1963. Delpha married James Findley on January 30, 1988 and resided in Osborn, Mo, for the remainder of her life. Two memorial services were held on March 1, 2012 — the first at the Osborn UMC and the second at Falls City First. A private inurnment was held at a later date.

colleen J. atherton, widow of Richard Atherton, was born March 6, 1927 and died April 13, 2012 at the age of 85. Colleen and Richard were married December 31, 1951. They had three children, Lynn (wife of clergy member David Lux), Lee and Paul. Richard served churches in the Illinois Great River and West Michigan Conferences and then served with the Division of Chaplains. After that he came to Nebraska and served Pawnee City, Crete, Ord, Blair, Lincoln Havelock, Lincoln Havelock-Asbury, Culbertson-Trenton and Superior before retiring in 1986. A funeral service was held April 18, 2012 at Saint Paul UMC in Lincoln. Interment was at the Culbertson Cemetery.

alice F Dinsdale, widow of Richard W. Dinsdale Sr., was born February 16, 1916, and died May 27, 2012, at the age of 96. Alice and Richard were married June 14, 1936. They had two sons, Richard Jr. and Randall. Richard Sr. served churches in Gurley, Sumner, Tryon, Riverdale-Havens Chapel, Prairie Home-Sharon, Grace in Dallas, Texas; Louisville, Imperial, Albion-Loretto, City Evangelical in southwest Omaha, Omaha St. Andrews, Franklin-Bloomington, Kimball, O’Neill, David City-Bellwood,and Falls City Parish. A celebration of life was held June 2 at Roper and Sons Mortuary, in Lincoln, Neb. Interment was at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery.