Posted Tuesday, 11/25/2008
'73 Grace Waldvogel passed away on October 24, 2008. She was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Queens. After graduating from Nyack, she earned an MA and Adelphi University. Grace spent most of her career at the American Society of Civil Engineers and GNCB Engineering where she held senior management positions with responsibility for Board operations, human resources, legal counsel, strategic planning, finance and administration. Grace excelled in whatever she did. She devoted herself to ministries associated with the Ridgewood Pentecostal Fellowship--hospital singing, Sunday School, Pilgrim Camp, women's retreat--and especially to serving as church pianist and organist. Her friendliness and thoughtfulness touched everyone who knew her.

Posted Tuesday, 11/25/2008
'49 Rev. J. Paul Ellison passed away on November 12, 20087. He was the son of missionary parents, Rev. David Witham and Muriel Harrison Ellison, and his early school years were spent in Dalat, Vietnam, at the Missionary Kids School. He finished High School in Nyack and attended the Missionary Training Institute (now Nyack College) immediately after, receiving his diploma in 1949 and continuing at Houghton College to receive his B.S. degree. He later studied at the School of World Missions in California. He met Vivian Eunice Hamilton at Nyack and married her following her nurses training in 1951. Their first church was in South Bound Brook, NJ. After 2 years of home service, the Ellisons were appointed to Cambodia and set sail with their daughter from Baltimore, MD. They served in Cambodia for 2 five-year terms. Having grown up in Cambodia, it was said of Paul that he spoke Cambodian like a Cambodian. In 1966 the Ellisons went to Dalat where he worked on writing TEE materials and translating them into the Cambodian language. Because of the political unrest, they couldn't return to Cambodia, so they went to southern Vietnam where they worked with Cambodians teaching TEE and helping to establish churches. Because of Paul's faithfulness in the translation and writing of TEE materials in Cambodian, it is being used in Cambodia today. In 1975 they accompanied 409 orphans (all but 90 were babies) on a troop plane to the States. With Vietnam closed, the Ellisons were asked to go to Guam for 6 weeks to help with refugees. Paul helped in re-uniting many families who had become separated in their desperation to leave Vietnam. Paul wanted to continue to help the Cambodians and the only way seemed to be by way of radio. Hence, they were asked to go to Manila, PI for one year to work on translating and writing Cambodian programs for FEBC. Then in 1976 they moved to the States to work on FEBC Cambodian programming in California. While there, they were assigned to Intercultural Ministries under Ted Cline. Paul assisted in establishing Cambodian churches all across the U.S. In 1991 Paul was first diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and in 1996 moved to Vestal, NY to be near their doctor son. While in Vestal, Paul taught TEE to boys and also taught one to be a teacher of TEE. Paul was admitted to the Health Center at Chapel Pointe in 2003 and after a long battle was released into the Lord's Presence on November 12, 2008. Besides his wife of 57 years, Paul is survived by three of his four children: Elaine Skene, Dr. David Ellison and wife, Alice, Robert Ellison and wife, Mim; a sister, Helen Ellenberger and husband, John; and 8 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter, Linda, who died at the age of 5 in Vietnam; his father, his mother, and his brother, John. His wife remembers that one of the last messages Paul preached was from Luke 15 on the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. His subject, "The Message and Mission of Missions."

Posted Tuesday, 11/25/2008
'52 Rev. Albert J. Webster went to be with the Lord on November 9, 2008 at the age of 83 in Harrisburg Hospital. He was resident of Chapel Pointe at Carlisle. He was a Christian and Missionary Alliance pastor serving in Cortland, NY; Oneida, NY; Horseheads, NY; Castleton, NY; and Walton, NY. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Marjorie Webster; two sons, Rev. Paul Webster of Reading, MI, and Rev. Timothy Webster of Waxhaw, NC; two daughters, LaVonne Mackey of Melrose, FL, and Esther Barajikian of Baltimore, MD; three brothers, Ardell Webster Jr. of Hammondsport, NY, Charles Webster of Sun City West, AR, and Robert Webster of MA; 12 grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene and Marvin Webster, and a sister, Flora Cordner. Memorial Services were held November 12 at Chapel Pointe at Carlisle.

Posted Tuesday, 11/25/2008
'62 Rev. Keith A. Bookamer went to be with the Lord on August 13, 2008. In 1958 he married Pearl Balmer and they attended Nyack together and both graduated in 1962. He served as an ordained minister of The Christian & Missionary Alliance for 38 years in: Secretary and Chateau, MD; Oak Grove, Williamsport, PA; Scranton, PA; Carbondale, IL; Milton, DE; Middle River, MD; and Edgewood, MD. In August 2002 he became the pastor of visitation and senior ministries at the Huntingdom Alliance Church. He was still serving in that capacity when the Lord called him Home. Besides his wife of 50 years, he is survived by three sons and a daughter: Keith Eric Bookamer and wife, Lynn, of Downington, PA; David Paul Bookamer and wife, Sharon, of Huntingdon, PA; Jonathan Caleb Bookamer of Indiana, PA; and Laurelynn Joy Taylor and husband, Greg, of Copley, OH; four grandchildren; and two sisters: Janet Jensen and husband, Ernest, of Lake Havasu City, AZ; and Norma Sprague of Falls Creek, PA. Services were held on August 17 in the Huntingdon C&MA Church. Keith enjoyed woodworking and was an accomplished pianist and loved singing and playing table games with family and friends.

Posted Tuesday, 11/25/2008
'44 Rev. Robert W. Heffer went to be with the Lord on August 23, 2008. After graduating, that same year he married Mabel Morehouse ('43), and together they served the following churches in The Christian & Missionary Alliance: Kent, OH; Kinsman, OH; Northeast, PA; South Fork, PA; Corry, PA; New Stanton, PA; Mahaffey and Burnside, PA. He retired from active ministry in 1987. He was an interim pastor at Sandy Lake, Cambridge Springs and New Wilmington, PA. Bob, as he was affectionately known, was the original founder of Edinboro Conference Grounds. He served in various capacities in the Western PA District. While pastoring the church in South Fork, he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Company. The middle of June 2008, due to ill health, the Heffers went to their daughter's in Winston-Salem, NC. In August he was admitted to the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center there and the Lord called him Home on August 23. Besides his wife of 64 years, he is survived by his three daughters: Judith Tunnecliffe of Sidman, PA; Janice Henkel of Winston-Salem, NC; and Jeanne Glauser of Butler, PA; 4 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Services were held in the Greenville Alliance Church, Greenville, PA on August 30.

Posted Tuesday, 11/25/2008
'51 Darolyn (O'Bryant) Irvin passed away on November 18, 2008. Darolyn was born in Louisville, Kentucky and was a member of First Alliance Church there. After graduating from Nyack, she married Dr. Maurice Irvin ('51), and together they served in C&MA churches in Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio, California, New York, and Pennsylvania. When her husband became editor of The Christian & Missionary Alliance's Alliance Life magazine in 1983, they moved first to Nyack, then to Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the national headquarters move. The Irvins left Colorado in 1996 to serve in short-term, interim pastorates in New Jersey, New York, Kentucky, Indiana, Connecticut, and Ohio. When Darolyn's health began to fall, the Irvins moved to their home in Lexington, Kentucky. Darolyn is survived by her husband and two daughters, Rebecca Irvin of Geneva, Switzerland, and Leeann Irvin ('87) of Valley Cottage, New York, and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Daniel Warren and Timothy Brian.

Posted Monday, 11/17/2008
'83 Kimberly Lynn (Parker) Li, age 47, of Boone, NC passed away August 20, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center. Kimberly Li is survived by two daughters, Olivia Li, and Laura Li; one son, Andrew Li; her parents, Gerald and Mary Parker; one brother, Stan Parker, and one niece, Courtney Parker. She is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Martin and Alma Richardson, and her paternal grandparents, Roy and Gladys Parker. Kimberly graduated from Watauga High School in 1979, Nyack College in 1983 and Appalachian State University with a Masters degree in Reading in 1988. She served over seventeen years in Thailand, Philippines and China as a teacher/administrator. In recent years, she has served as administrative assistant to pastors at Alliance Bible Fellowship. A memorial service for Kimberly was conducted on August 23, 2008 at Alliance Bible Fellowship with Pastor Scott Andrews, Pastor Scott Burns, Pastor Dean Moyer, and Pastor Doug Cheshire officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alliance Bible Fellowship, 672 George Wilson Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or to the Seby Jones Regional Cancer Center, PO Box 2600, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

Posted Friday, 08/22/2008
'51 Mildred "Millie" (Godfrey) Loose passed away on June 11, 2008 at the age of 78. She was actively involved in the missionary field teaching many in need in several countries around the world. Mildred is survived by her loving husband Donald M. Loose of Navarre, FL daughters Lizabeth C. Gordon, Laura A. Landis, Denise A. Vanlanding, sisters Lynn Repsis, and Flora Murphree, sister-in-law Jean Godfrey, and a brother-in-law David Loose. Funeral services were held on June 17, 2008 at Rose Lawn Funeral Home in Gulf Breeze, FL with burial following in Rose Lawn Cemetery.

Posted Friday, 08/22/2008
'52 Rev. O. Gene Bartmas went to be with the Lord on June 24, 2008 at the age of 81 after a courageous but short battle with pancreatic cancer. He graduated from the Missionary Training Institute (now Nyack College) after completion of his service with the U.S. Navy and attending Kings College. Gene started his ministry in the Western PA District of the C&MA at the dual charge of Beccaria and Coal Run for three years; Mars for five years; Union City for eight and a half years; and Altoona for twenty-two and a half years. Under his ministry, all of the churches were involved in building projects. He and his wife also had a music ministry wherever they served. While pastoring in Western PA, he served on the License and Ordination Committee for twelve years in various roles. While in Altoona, PA, he was heard for over twenty-two years on the Alliance Hour broadcast. When he retired, he and his wife, Sarah, moved to Anderson, Indiana. He then became the Assistant Pastor of the West Cross Alliance Church in Anderson and served for seven years. Gene is survived by his two sons, Jonathan (and wife, Becky) and Mark (and wife, Sherri); 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; and three brothers. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Sarah, his parents, three brothers, and one sister.

Posted Friday, 06/06/2008
'99 Gail (Gessner) Mulligan passed away on June 3, 2008 at the age of 57. She had attended Winona State University in 1992 to pursue her dream of becoming a music teacher, and then moved to Duchess County in 1994 and continued her studies at Nyack College as a music education major, graduating at age 48. She became a music teacher, working in the Poughkeepsie, Glenham and Beacon school districts, all in New York. In the summer 2007, she completed her master's degree in reading comprehension from Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y. On Aug. 1, 1998, she married Gerard B. Mulligan (a 1985 ATS graduate) in Clinton Corners, N.Y. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Evans of Minneapolis; a sister, Gwen (Scott) Williams of Minnesota; and four brothers, Gregg, Glenn, Gary and Gordon (Julie Seiler-Meyers), all of Minnesota. Other survivors include two grandsons, Joshua and Isaiah. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Meyers and Glenn Meyers.

Posted Friday, 06/06/2008
'46 Rev. Paul Leonard Boyer passed away on June 3, 2008 at the age of 82 - exactly two months after his wife, Alice (Netzband) Boyer, passed away on April 3, 2008 (her obituary is below). They met at Nyack College, when Alice was accidentally given the wrong dorm room and Paul was sent over to help her move. Paul would say, "I took one look, and worked at making her my wife." They were married not long after on August 11, 1945. Rev. Boyer was an ordained minister of the C&MA and pastored in Alliance churches in Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana, as well as in Mennonite churches in the Lima, OH area. He had also been an industrial arts teacher at Bath, Wapakoneta and Paulding schools and a guidance counselor at Wapakoneta High School. Following his retirement, he taught woodworking classes at Ford Motor Co. Lima Engine Plant for a short time. He was a life member of the Ohio Education Association, the National Education Association and several other education groups. He was a member of Epsilon Pi Tau and Phi Delta Kappa, a charter member of Centennial Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and served six years as chaplain and a year as second vice president with the Ohio State Society. He was awarded several medals, including the Patriot Medal, the highest honor a state society can bestow on a member for commendable service. He was also a leader in Concerned Ohio Retired Teachers. After graduating from Nyack, he also received his bachelor's degree from Bluffton College and his master's degree in education from Bowling Green State University, and completed further graduate courses at the University of Dayton. He was a lifelong woodworker and built three homes for his family through the years. Survivors include his son, Richard Boyer; his daughter, Cheryl Waterman; two brothers, Robert Boyer and Donald Boyer; a sister, Rachel Hager; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Posted Friday, 06/06/2008
'46 Alice (Netzband) Boyer passed away on April 3, 2008 at the age of 83. She met her husband, Rev. Paul L. Boyer, at Nyack College, when she was accidentally given the wrong dorm room and he was sent over to help her move. Paul would say, "I took one look, and worked at making her my wife." They were married not long after on August 11, 1945. Exactly two months after Alice passed away, on June 3, 2008, Paul went to join her at the throne of their Lord (his obituary is above). Alice was a principal for Lima, OH area schools for several years. She was a member of Cable Road Alliance Church in Lima, OH and was active in the American Association of University Women and in several teachers associations including the Retired Teachers Association. She also received degrees from Taylor University and the University of Dayton. Following her retirement, Alice and Paul traveled the world using their talents on missions trips. Survivors include her son, Richard Alan Boyer; her daughter, Cheryl Elizabeth Waterman; her brother, Richard Alan Netzband; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother and six sisters.

Posted Thursday, 05/15/2008
'54 Patricia (Pogoda) Nyhus passed away on April 13, 2008 in Graham, WA. She was also a graduate of Houghton College. She had been an elementary and special education teacher in N. Syracuse, NY, Tucson, AZ, and the Seattle, WA area. She was predeceased by her husband, Don, in 2006, and a brother, Raymond Pogoda, Jr. She is survived by two sons, Mark (and wife, Gina) and Tim (and wife, Brooke); a brother, Robert Pogoda; three sisters, Marion Harr, Geraldine Bergin (and husband, Arnold), and Elaine Casey (and husband, David); an uncle, Steve Roczen; an aunt, Gertrude Pogoda; several nieces; a nephew; and many cousins. The burial was at Sumner Cemetery in Sumner, WA.

Posted Friday, 04/25/2008
'68 Kathleen L. (Luedeke) Mascaro went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 4, 2008 after her second battle with cancer. A memorial service was held on February 7, 2008 at Neighborhood Alliance Church in Pearl River, NY, and a second service was held on February 18, 2008 at Faith Alliance Church in New Bremen, OH, where she grew up and where the burial took place. At both services, family and friends paid tribute to the comforting, gentle, warm, encouraging woman of God. Sweet memories were shared about her compassionate smile, her tender gaze, her unforgettable hugs and her steadfast faith. She was unmistakably a woman with a healing touch to be remembered by her mother, Mrs. Dorothy Luedeke; her husband of almost 40 years, Augustine "Augie" (NC '68); children, Stephen Mascaro (and wife, Debra), Anita Partin (and husband, Jim), Daniel Mascaro, and Melissa Hickey (and husband, Brad); grandchildren, Ethan, Jacob, and Seth; and siblings, Sue Broyles, Jon Luedeke, and Jamie Luedeke. She worked for 20 years as a registered nurse at Nyack Hospital, and also volunteered at the CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Counseling Center in Spring Valley, NY. Her and her husband, Augie, attended Neighborhood Alliance Church in Pearl River, NY, where she led the Women's Bible Study, taught Sunday School, and played the organ. Kathy also taught a course on Nutrition at Nyack College for several years. A graduate of Taylor University and the Miami Valley School of Nursing, Kathy also studied Bible and Missions at Nyack College. Because she was a registered nurse, news of Nyack's plans for a 2009 launch of a nursing program excited her and she agreed to be photographed for the nursing program ad in the Summer 2006 Path magazine. From her quote on the Nyack web she shared, "Nursing at Nyack is a dream come true!...To be a Christian nurse, educated with a biblical worldview, is a high calling and a privilege. Nyack offers a great opportunity to fulfill this dream on the doorstep of New York City!" The Kathleen L. Mascaro Memorial Nursing Fund, an endowed scholarship, has been established. Donations to the fund can be mailed to Nyack College, 1 South Boulevard, Nyack, NY 10960 or contributed online at www.nyack.edu/giving.

Posted Friday, 04/25/2008
'57 Rev. Richard R. Walker went to be with the Lord on April 9, 2008. He graduated from Nyack with a B.S. in Theology, fully confident of God's call on his life to go into full-time ministry as a pastor. It was at Nyack that he met Marilyn Townsend ('57), and they married on June 4, 1955 and began their ministry with a move to their first church assignment in Port Washington, Long Island. Their subsequent pastorates included: Audubon and Harrison, NJ; Baltimore, MD; Glens Falls and Medina, NY; West Newton, PA; and Ilion, NY. Richard retired from full-time ministry after serving in the C&MA for 42 years. Besides his wife of almost 53 years, he is survived by two sons, Thomas Richard Walker and James Stewart Walker; a daughter, Onna Beth Roberts; 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Posted Friday, 04/25/2008
'39 Ruth M. (Hollinger) Nicholson went to be with the Lord on January 20, 2008. She married Melvin E. Nicholson ('39) on December 24, 1934 and they both attended Nyack together. Following graduation, they entered the ministry in the C&MA serving churches in Hanover, Curvensville, Aliquippa, Upper Darby and First Alliance in New Castle, PA. They retired from active ministry in 1982 and continued their residence in New Castle, where Melvin took an interim ministry at Clifton Flat from 1989 to 1999. On December 26, 1999, the Lord called Melvin home. Ruth faithfully supported her husband in his ministry and was actively involved in the work of the church, especially in the Women's Missionary Prayer Fellowship. In her later years she mentored younger pastors' wives. She was called home while visiting her daughter in Wayne, PA. She is survived by two sons, Don E. and David A.; one daughter, Lois Eyler; 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Bertha Bottenfield and Esther Kapp. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Melvin, and a son, Dalton.

Posted Friday, 04/25/2008
'42 Rev. Lester A. Kim passed away on February 7, 2008 at the age of 87. He was born on September 10, 1920. A memorial service was held on February 16, 2008 Allen & Allen Funeral Home in Thomasville, Georgia. He is survived by his wife, Faye Seymour Kim; son, Ron Kim; daughters, Pat Kim Rupinski, Beth Kim Baker, and Kathy Seymour Veltman; 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

Posted Tuesday, 04/08/2008
'62 Deanna (Durmer) Turner, 69, passed away at home on April 4, 2008. A long time resident of Barnegat, NJ, Deanna taught in the Barnegat school system for 22 years and retired from the position of guidance counselor at the Russell O. Brackman School in June of 2000. After graduating from Nyack, she completed her graduate studies for teaching and counseling at Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ. Deanna was known as a strong woman of faith and rendered outstanding service for her Lord in local congregations. Her most recent affiliation was to Bayside Chapel in Barnegat. She was predeceased by her parents Charles and Lillian Durmer. Surviving are her husband of 46 years, Art, a retired teacher from Berkeley Township School District; her son, Duncan; her daughter, Aileen and her husband Rick Reynolds and their girls Avila and Bryce; and her sister, Beverly and her husband Del Park and their children Colleen, Heather and Del. Deanna was a mother to so many other young men and women in the community and helped to raise a dozen foster children.

Posted Friday, 01/25/2008
'57 Donald L. Hills passed away on July 26, 2007 at the age of 80 at the Holland Community Hospital in Holland, Michigan. He was born on May 29, 1927 in York, Ohio and grew up in a loving, Christian home on a farm in Hudson, Michigan. As a young boy, he loved farming and furthered his agricultural education as a member of the Future Farmers of America. After graduating from high school in 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Occupation Forces in World War II. Some time after his honorable discharge, he returned to school to further his education in 1953, enrolling in classes at Fort Wayne Bible College, where he met the love of his life, Eleanor Violet (Pascoe '55). They were happily married in 1954. Don and Eleanor were later blessed with two daughters, Lorraine, who tragically died at the age of 13 from Reyes Syndrome, and Kathy. Shortly after marrying, Don began attending Nyack Missionary College. He then became an ordained minister and delivered sermons from pulpits in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania and in Alma and South Haven, Michigan. The family eventually put down roots in Marshall, Michigan and became faithful members of the Rice Creek Community Church and later West Eckford Missionary Church, where Don served as the Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, and a Board Member. He was most recently a member of the Central Wesleyan Church. Don also began teaching in rural schools in 1964 and in 1966 took a teaching position in the Mar Lee School District, which spanned the next 35 years. He also furthered his own education by attending Western Michigan University, receiving his B.S. degree in Education. Wanting to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren, Don and Eleanor moved to Holland, Michigan in 1998, and lived right across the street from them. Don was a generous, thoughtful, loving, and devoted family man with a sense of humor and a love for helping others and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Violet (Pascoe '55) Hills; a daughter, Kathy Stearns; a sister, Rosetta Merillat; a brother, Perry Hills; and 6 grandchildren. Visit Don's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Posted Monday, 01/14/2008
'56 Rev. Leonard M. Blight, Jr. passed away from cancer on January 12, 2008 at the age of 72 at his home in Parkville, MD. He had been the pastor of Calvary Tabernacle in Hamilton, MD for more than three decades. After graduating from Nyack, Mr. Blight was ordained into The Christian & Missionary Alliance and returned to Baltimore, where he was born, to train under his father, who was pastor of Calvary Tabernacle. His first pastorate began in 1957 when he took over Burmont Road Alliance in Havertown, PA, where he remained for a decade before moving to Llanerch Hills Chapel in Upper Darby, PA. After his father's death in 1974, he returned to Baltimore and took over his father's church. He also made weekly broadcasts on WBMD radio, and since 1985, when he established a homeless ministry, church members have distributed food to the needy. His efforts working with the homeless earned him a "Channel 13 Salute" from WJZ-TV. He also served as a mentor to young people interested in the ministry and spent time visiting the sick and homebound. In 1990, Mr. Bright helped establish a church for Spanish congregants - the Iglesia Pent De Evange Missionary Church - and donated the pulpit and pews to furnish it. Mr. Blight served as a member of the C&MA Dexcom and search committees, and was a member of the board of Slavie Federal Savings Bank. His is predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Shelva Jean Elick. He is survived by two daughters, Deborah Wright and Sharon Lynn Blight-Claus, and six grandchildren.