News
Alumni Notes | July 2021
Sharon Stewart Barrows ’70 (English), 72, of Palmyra, Pa., formerly of Clymer, N.Y., Mayville, N.Y. and Ancon, Panama Canal, passed away at her home on Dec. 6, 2020, with family at her side, following a lengthy illness.
She was born Jan. 17, 1948, in Ancon, Panama Canal Zone, the daughter of the late Robert H. Stewart and Caroline G. Shearer Stewart Ellsworth.
Sharon had worked as an elementary school teacher at Sherman Central School.
She enjoyed traveling, reading, sewing, swimming, gardening, singing, and family get togethers.
Sharon is survived by her husband; Frederick J. Barrows, whom she married Aug. 15, 1970, in the Mayville United Methodist Church, Mayville, N.Y.; three daughters: Dawn (Spencer) Cooley of Phoenix, N.Y., Christine (Joel) Valvo of Palmyra, Pa., and Tiffany (David) Musselman of Allentown, Pa.; five grandchildren: Stephen and Hannah Valvo, Maya Cooley and Everly and Noah Musselman. She is also survived by her two sisters: Eileen (Stan) Roth and Noralyn (Jack) Nichols.
She was also preceded in death by her two brothers: Gordon C. Stewart and David R. Stewart.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Edwards Chapel UMC or the Findley Lake Girls Scouts (Girl Scouts of Western NY, 2661 Horton Road, Jamestown, NY 14701).
Alvin F. Beck ’67 (Comprehensive Social Studies), age 76, a lifelong resident of Gardner Hill Road, Weedville, PA, passed away Monday, July 13, 2020 at Penn Highlands-DuBois.
Son of the late Wright Sargent and Mildred (Anderson) Beck, Alvin graduated from Weedville High School in 1962. He also graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College as an Elementary School Teacher; he later furthered his education graduating from IUP in Bradford as a Registered Nurse and retired after 20 years of service as a supervisor at Highland View Nursing Home of Brockway, PA.
Alvin was a member of the Weedville Wesleyan Church for many years. He enjoyed working in the woods along with cutting and splitting firewood. Most of all he enjoyed snowmobiling and family gatherings.
Alvin is survived by: a brother, Dave (Delores) Beck; four sisters, Sylvia (Earle) Wilson, Dorothy Watt, Naomi (Bernard) O'Kane and Nancy Chan; a nephew, David G. Beck who was raised by Sargent and Mildred; and several other nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by: two brothers, Gordon and Archie Beck; and a sister, Helen in infancy.
The family suggests memorials to the Fox Township Ambulance Association or a favorite charity and will be accepting online condolences at www.nedzafamilyfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Natalie Fletcher Decker ’07 (Art-Studio/Graphic Design) and JJ Decker ’07 (Religion-Philosophy) welcomed their third child, Jordan, in May 2021. Congratulations!
Katie Wolfe Dale ’09 (Business Administration) and her husband Christopher Dale joyously welcomed their second child, Kylie Grace Alethia Dale born February 25, 2021. Her brother Jaxon Matthew Apollo Dale preceded her, born March 30, 2020 and passed into the arms of Jesus April 7, 2020.
Neva Baker Pfouts Donnell ’43 passed away Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at age 97.
Predeceased by her parents Morrison and Gertrude (Druschel) Baker; sisters Jean (James) Miller, Elva (Dale) Rhome, Alma (Udell) Gallagher; brothers John and Merlin Baker; husbands Neil Pfouts (2012) and Lloyd Donnell (2021).
Survived by her daughter Karen (Ray) Maxwell of Fort Myers, FL and grandson Peter Austin of Fort Myers, FL. Also surviving are two step grandsons, Stephen (Mindy) and Jason (Jessica) Maxwell and their children Madelyn, Rachel, and Liam; sister Martha (Clair) Smeltzer of Chippewa, PA; sisters-in-law Lola (John) Baker of Phoenix, AZ and Janice (Merlin) Baker of New Castle, PA and many nieces and nephews.
Neva was a long-time member of Pearce Church and a strong supporter of Roberts Wesleyan College. She worked at Eastman Kodak for 32 years.
A celebration of her life was held at Pearce Church, 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili Saturday, June 19 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Pearce Memorial Church 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili or Roberts Wesleyan College 2301 Westside Dr., Rochester, New York.
Chip Duncan ’63 (Mathematics) passed away Friday, April 30, 2021 at age 85. Survived by his wife, Kathryn; children, Howie (Sandy)and Kristina (Jeff) Swan; 6 grandchildren, Ariana, Aubrey, Audraleigh, Zach, Ben and Ellie; great-grandchildren, Ria, Rowan, Kacey, Cooper, Austin , Lincoln and Jodie; sister, Jean (Grant) Ott; and several nieces, nephews and dear friends. Chip was a retiree of Kodak, OCS and Lighthouse Christian Camp.
Danielle Fisher ’15 (Communication/Spanish) is teaching at Dominion Christian School as a Master Teacher in first grade. Dominion is a classical school, and she chose to be a part of this community due to their pursuit of the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. Her time at Roberts as a communication arts major, prepared her richly for this season in my life. Advocating and encouraging the liberal arts while shepherding young hearts has been a truly fulfilling experience. The end of this school year marks the completion of four years at this school, with more years to follow.
Richard Gaughran ’80 (Religion-Philosophy) recently co-edited a text entitled, Twenty-First-Century Southern Writers: New Voices, New Perspectives. This text is an anthology of critical essays that introduces a new group of fiction writers from the American South.
These fresh voices, like their twentieth-century predecessors, examine what it means to be a southerner in the modern world. For more information, click here.
Verlyn Klahn ’62 (Biology), 83, passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2021, at the Homestead at Soldiers and Sailors Hospital.
Verlyn was born the son of the late Edward and Minnie (Holt) Klahn on Tuesday, September 7, 1937 in Newark, NY. Verlyn graduated from Newark High School class of 1955. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Roberts Wesleyan College and his Master's degree from Oswego. Verlyn was a lifelong employee and retiree of Eastman Kodak Co. Verlyn enjoyed gardening and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Verlyn will be remembered by his loving wife of 57 years, Joyce Klahn; children Karen (Orlando) Reyes of Rochester, NY, TImothy (Margo) Klahn, Vern Allen (Crystal) Klahn, Kristine (Ken) Bingerman all of NC and Paul (Bristol) Klahn of IN; seventeen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; brother, John (Mona) Klahn of TX; sister, Janet Diliberto of NC.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Open Door Baptist Church, 350 Scottsville-Chili Rd, Churchville, NY 14428.
Doris Hitchcock Patton ’61 (Business Administration), passed away peacefully on Monday, December 7th at Montgomery Nursing Home in Montgomery, NY where she had been a resident since August. She was 78 years old.
Doris was born and raised in Akron, NY, the youngest of three children born to Floyd P. and Iva Cook Hitchcock. She graduated from Akron Central School in 1960 and attended a year at Roberts Wesleyan College, majoring in business. She met Robert “Bob” Patton of Wevertown, NY and they married on November 28, 1963 at the Akron Free Methodist Church. They resided in Akron for six months, moved to North Creek, and in 1966 they built a home in the hamlet of Sodom and raised two children, Mary Jo and Jon.
Doris was a secretary for a local real estate business in the early 1970s, played the organ in the Bakers Mills Wesleyan Church, had a wallpapering/painting business in the early 1980s, and for twenty years was the Town of Johnsburg town historian. She liked to uncover local history, and many area families were blessed with her genealogy expertise. She was a genealogical sleuth, doing extensive research on the Hitchcock and Patton families. She enjoyed playing the piano both at home and at Calvary Bible Church where she was an active member. She also enjoyed nature, an occasional hike in the region, reading, gardening, sewing, painting, and home decorating. Her love and dedication as a wife and mother, her love for and communication with family, and her care and commitment to her circle of friends endeared her to us all.
She is predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Robert L. Patton.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary Jo Russell and her husband, Mark of Modena, NY; her son Jon R. Patton and his wife, Joy and her granddaughter, Katie Patchell, of Wurtsboro, NY; her brother Floyd Hitchcock, Jr and his wife Vonnie, of Marshfield, WI; her brother Gerald Hitchcock and his wife Joyce, of Rochester, NY; her sister-in-law Kathryn Patton Schwedt and husband David, of Gowanda, NY; her sister-in-law Patricia Patton, of Cambridge, NY; as well as nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her parents, Floyd and Iva Hitchcock.
If desired, friends and family may make memorial donations in her name to Calvary Bible Church, PO Box 33, Wevertown, NY 12886.
Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.
Nanthiny Balasingham Colletti ’94 (Business Administration) passed away on May 31, 2021 after a long illness. Nan, who is the sister of Santhiny Balasingam Rajamohan ’94 (a current Assistant Professor of Nursing at Roberts), was working to publish a book about her life at the time of her passing. She has an incredible story of faith that she wanted to share, and fortunately, Nan was able to express many of her thoughts in a video entitled, “My Journey to the Promise Land Continues.” To watch the video and hear Nan’s story, click here.
Larry C. Root ’62 (Business Administration), born October 26, 1938, died on June 8, 2021, at the age of 82 at his home in Victor, NY.
Leaves his wife: Joyce Root. Children: Gregory Root (wife, Judy Gallant-Root), Linda Root Pouder (husband, Nicholas Pouder) and David Root (wife, Jess Root). His grandchildren: Cameron Root, Caroline Root, Olivia Pouder, Maggie Pouder, and Blake Duke. Larry’s brother: Duane Root (wife, Rita) and several nieces and nephews Larry was born in Niagara Falls, NY and grew up in Lockport, NY.
He graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College with a degree in business. He served in the Air National Guard and earned an honorable discharge. He retired from Chase Bank as an administrative manager.
Larry was never one for down time and loved to always stay busy in retirement. He owned his own company “War Zone Models” selling remote control airplanes. Larry believed in being self-sufficient and followed the motto “if someone else can do that, then so can I”. Larry and his brother were taught to sew as kids, a skill that he always kept up with. He taught himself how to reupholster furniture and even sewed a sail cover for his daughter and son-in-law’s boat.
Up until two years ago he always kept a thriving vegetable garden and especially loved his blueberry patch. But his greatest love was in his old cars and belonging to The Rochester Street Rods Club. Larry owned many classic cars throughout his life and enjoyed working on them. He will be sorely missed by his wife and family.
Donations can be made to the Wilmot Cancer Center (DONATE), or the Salvation Army
Evangeline George Swingle ’55, wife of the late Rev. Theodore Swingle of Lake Ariel, PA passed away on April 27, 2021, at her daughter Sandy's house in Corfu, N.Y.
She is survived by her 3 daughters, 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, and several nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved very much, as well as many friends, all dear to her heart.
Memorial Contributions may be made to The Free Methodist Church in South Canaan, PA -OR- The Theodore Swingle Memorial Fund at Northeastern Seminary set up by Evangeline to assist in the education of new pastors. Please refer to the James Wilson Funeral Home website (www.jameswilsonfuneralhome.com) and their Facebook page for details regarding the meal and the contact information for Memorial Contributions.