ALUMNI NEWS
In Memory Neil Edward Pfouts ’41 passed away May 27, 2012. Neil completed his master’s degree in education from the University of Rochester, and his thesis remains one of the most complete histories of Roberts Wesleyan College and the early Free Methodist Church. He married Neva Baker in 1945. Together, they filled a variety of roles over the years serving Roberts Wesleyan College and Pearce Memorial Church. Neil concluded his professional career as director of records and registration at the State University of New York College at Brockport, retiring in 1982. Grace (Heath ’44) Hollin passed away March 4, 2012. Grace served elementary schools for 30 years as a teacher and librarian, most recently in the Cincinnati area. She and her husband, Felix, were married 61 years and raised four children together. He survives. Rev. John Henry Hoyt ’46, age 90, died June 2, 2012. John’s studies at Greenville College were interrupted by the draft. He served overseas during WWII in Africa and Europe, and then returned to marry his college sweetheart, Constance Kerns ’45. After completing his undergraduate studies at GC, he pastored in Belvidere, IL. He also attended Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago. He was called back into military service during the Korean War as a warrant officer, junior grade. He later transferred to the USAF Chaplaincy. John remained in the reserves until he retired at age 60. He pastored Free Methodist churches in Florida and also served on the faculty at Asuncion Christian Academy. Most recently, John lived in Greenacres, FL. He is survived by his wife, Connie, two sons and three daughters. William B. Winger ’46 passed away June 29, 2012. He was 90 years old. William worked for Pennzoil Refinery, retiring in 1986 after nearly 40 years of service. In retirement, he enjoyed yard work, woodworking, and model railroads. He is survived by his wife, Gertrude, and five children. Flora M. Sult ’48 of Fort Mill, SC, went home to be with her Lord on March 26, 2012. She was 86. Flora taught in the Centre Area School District for one year and in the Berwick School District for 30 years. She retired from teaching in 1979. Flora engaged in several church activities and taught Child Evangelism Fellowship classes. After moving to Fort Mill in 1984, Flora worked for the Heritage Christian Bookstore and Carolina Pottery Store. She was a member of the Lakeshore Christian Fellowship and dearly loved her pastor and church family. She is survived by two sisters, nieces, and nephews.
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William “Earl” Whitlock ’48, age 86, passed away May 8, 2012. During World War II, William served as a member of the Eighth Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945. The plane he piloted was shot down over Germany during his seventh mission, and he remained in Germany as a prisoner of war until the end of the war. In civilian life, William taught physical education and coached basketball and baseball in Odin, IL, while earning his master’s degree in supervision and administration from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He taught and coached at schools in southern Illinois and established a reputation as a winning coach. He retired from teaching in 1965. William later worked for the Illinois State Board of Education as supervisor of driver’s education and also worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation. Survivors include his wife, Joan (Henderson ’47) Whitlock, two sons and their families. Esther (Savage ’49) Goodenough, age 91, passed away on November 7, 2011, surrounded by her family. Esther was preceded in death by Robert Goodenough, her husband of 56 years. Survivors include three children and seven grandchildren, of whom several are Greenville College alumni. Esther was a member of the First Free Methodist Church of Peoria, IL. She also later attended Victorious Life Bible Church of East Peoria with her children and grandchildren. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ and served Him faithfully for many years, lending generous prayer and financial support to her family, church, Christian higher education, and mission organizations around the world. Doris A. (Rich ’55) Gingrich, age 78, passed away November 5, 2011. Doris taught grade school in Elkton and Bad Axe, MI, and Glen Ellyn, IL. She is survived by her husband, Richard, two sons and their families. Richard ’56 and Esther (Crawford ‘57) Congdon died Sunday, June 3, 2012, from injuries sustained in a car accident in Knoxville, TN. They were married June 29, 1963. Both taught elementary school for more than 30 years. They lived in upstate New York until their retirement in 1988. They lived in Venice, FL, for 15 years before relocating to Knoxville, TN, in 2006. Both Richard and Esther were active members of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Charles “Skip” Carroll ’58, age 80, passed away on June 3, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Gibbons ’69) Carroll. Edward LaMarr Griffith ’60 passed away June 4, 2012, at age 73. Shortly after graduating from Greenville College, LaMarr married Lorraine Collier. They lived in Dearborn Heights, MI, and LaMarr taught high school business courses in Garden City. He later trained as a bank manager and studied under the American Institute of Banking (AIB). He eventually served as an instructor for AIB. In 1967, LaMarr went to work for Greenville College as its financial aid director. In 1976 the Griffith family moved to Dunedin, FL, where LaMarr worked in banking and as a credit manager until his retirement in 2000. He was a member of Palm Harbor United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing with the Chancel Choir and the Harbortones. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, three children and their families. Susan Doty ’72, age 60, passed away November 22, 2010 in Maryville, IL. She taught 35 years and retired in 2010, from Granite City School District #9. Mari Ellen Reeser ’81 passed away on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, in Germany where she had served Black Forest Academy (BFA) for over 20 years. Her roles included educational therapist and counselor. She left BFA to earn a master’s degree in counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary in St Louis, MO, before returning again to the BFA community. Mari Ellen is known for praying for BFA students, encouraging, equipping, and advocating for them in constant demonstration of Christ’s unconditional love. She leaves a legacy steeped in her love for the Savior, of whom she spoke frequently and fervently. One couldn’t know her without discovering Him. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her larger-than-life laugh. Randy Dean Pifer ’99 of Casa Grande, AZ, went to be with the Lord on June 1, 2012, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 51. Randy excelled as a quality engineer with several corporations including Hexcel, Tyco, Kimball, and EG&G. He was a member of the American Society for Quality. He also instructed at Frontier College in Fairfield, IL. He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Marge) Robinson Pifer, a daughter, son, and their families. Stella Rosabel Dillman, 89, of Galesburg and Momence, IL, formerly of Greenville, died February 10, 2012. A resident of Greenville from 1952 to 1967, she worked in the Greenville College Bookstore and was an active member of the Greenville Free Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the Keith Barker Dillman and wife Rosabel, Endowed Scholarship at Greenville College.