News
Alumni Notes | August 2022
Career Updates
Shelly Boyd ‘20 (Social Work) is now a School Social Worker at Rochester Central School District.
Maria (Rambuski) Gilluly ‘12 (Strategic Leadership) is now the Executive Assistant to the Vice President and Dean at Northeastern Seminary.
Obituaries
Malcolm (Mal) W. Allen ‘55 (Biology) 92, went home to be with the Lord, Friday October 29, 2021, in the Lutheran Home. He was born December 9, 1928, in Amarillo, Texas, a son of the late Genevieve Parker Allen and Walker Allen. He was a 1947 graduate of Sugar Grove Joint High School and later earned degrees from Robert Junior College in 1949, Roberts Wesleyan College in 1955 and a master's degree from Fredonia Normal School. While at Roberts Wesleyan he participated in choir, band, Light and Life Service League, Varsity R Club, basketball, baseball, tennis, and track. He held the school record for the one-mile race for some time. Malcolm was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army serving from 1951-1952 as a Corporal. He spent time serving in Germany and was awarded the Army Occupation Medal for his service. For 7 months he taught classes to soldiers who hadn't gone past 6th grade. Prior to his retirement he was employed as a teacher by the Lander Elementary School, and also taught in Frewsburg and Cattaraugus County. He was a 59 year charter member of Zion Tabernacle, where he served as an usher, choir member, song leader, and a Sunday School Superintendent. Malcolm was a kind, gentle spirit who had an unwavering faith and love for the Lord. He was a devoted, wonderful, and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, and playing the trumpet. Surviving are four children Jolene (Phil) Mayo of Eden Prairie, MN, Evelyn (Jeffrey) Piazza and Lisa (Michael) Tomczak both of Jamestown and Malcolm (Rebecca) Allen of Cleveland, OH and grandchildren Josiah (Emma) Mayo, Alexandra and William Piazza and Maverick and Mason Tomczak. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Martha "Marty" Nesbitt, whom he married August 3, 1957, and who died May 1, 2013; two brothers Virgil and Sherwood Allen and a sister, Enid Carlson.
Jamie (Stobie) Beachel ‘20 (Masters of Education) passed away peacefully on July 19, 2022. She was predeceased by her mother, Susan.
Jamie is survived by her fiancée, David Beachel; son, Nathanial; father, Andrew Stobie (Pam); brother, Drew Stobie (Chrissy); her extended Beachel family, several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Jamie was a graduate of Waterloo High School Class of 2000 and continued her education at Franklin Pierce College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2004. More importantly, what she learned while away at college was that she had a strong desire to help others. Little did she know that when she joined the little college emergency squad, she would be starting a lifelong journey of helping others. Over the past twenty years, Jamie served with numerous ambulance and rescue squads in various positions.
During the latter years of her service in EMS, she found her true passion in life - teaching others. She started by becoming a certified CPR instructor, then becoming a certified lab instructor, to help teach and mold new EMT’s in both the Monroe-Livingston and Finger Lakes regions. While she thoroughly enjoyed EMS education, and touched countless lives while doing so, Jamie truly wanted education to become her lifelong career. She enrolled in an accelerated Master of Education program at Roberts Wesleyan College to enhance her abilities to teach others. She took on this challenge all while running a household and working multiple part-time jobs. It was through this program that she found the Kelley School in Newark, NY, where she spent time doing her internship. It was during this internship that teaching truly became her life’s passion. Once her internship was finished, she continued as a substitute teacher, working several days a week. She expressed a desire to try to stay with the Kelley School once she earned her degree.
Jamie was a strong, independent yet caring woman who would do anything for anyone at any time. She was an amazing mother, the most supportive partner, a loving daughter, sister, and friend. Her memory will be loved and cherished by anyone whose life she touched.
Beulah (Pickett) M. Bellville ‘59 (English), age 84, formerly of Lacona passed away Monday, June 14, 2021 at St. Luke’s in Oswego. Beulah was born on June 8, 1937 in Watertown, NY to Roy A. and Mildred M. (Look) Pickett and was the eldest of 6 children. She graduated from Sandy Creek High School in 1955 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree at Roberts Wesleyan College in 1959. She began her teaching career at APW and then in Redfield, Orwell, and Sandy Creek, retiring in 1994. She also spent many summers as the head cook at Chambers Wesleyan Camp in Chambers, NY.
Beulah was a long-time member of the Sandy Creek Wesleyan Church and attended Faith United Church in Oswego after she and her husband Clyde moved to Oswego in 2012. She loved to cook, read, play the piano, and play board and card games.
Surviving are her children Patricia (Richard) Griffin of Oswego, James Bellville of Lacona, Darline Messina of Watertown, Kevin Bellville of Michigan, granddaughter Meghan Griffin of Liberty, MO, grandsons Evan, Santo & Kyle Messina of Watertown, three siblings Robert (Darlene) Pickett of Michigan, Ronald (Betty Lou) Pickett of Pennsylvania, Beryle (Lewis) Carter of Liverpool, NY, and a sister-in-law Virginia Pickett of Pennsylvania, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Clyde, son Donald, sister Sally Pickett, and brother David Pickett.
Genine (Stahl) R. Donato ‘85 (Nursing) age 58 of East Petersburg, went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Sunday, September 5th, 2021 after a brief illness.
She was born January 20th 1963 in Sunbury Community Hospital, a daughter of the late George Nicodemus Stahl and the late Joyce Lorae (Barner) Stahl. At the age of 5, she accepted Christ as her Lord and savior at her mother’s knee after listening to “Here’s How”, a radio program broadcasted on WPGM by Child Evangelism Fellowship. Genine graduated from Shikellamy High School in 1981 where she was a majorette for the marching band and a runner on the track and field team. She went on to get her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York where she ran cross country and track. She graduated from there in 1985. On April 30th 1988, in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Lewisburg, Pa, she married Anthony Joseph Donato, the love of her life.
Genine worked as a very capable ER nurse for 35 years along with the years she spent in her teens as a hospital volunteer (candy-striper). After graduating college, she began her career at Sunbury Community Hospital. She worked at various hospitals early in her marriage while she was starting her family. From 1994-2020 she worked at St Joseph Hospital in Lancaster and then at Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center in Lititz. Many years she worked as charge nurse and on night shift. Everyone she took care of thought she was excellent and was glad she was there in their time of need.
You could often find Genine in church on Sunday mornings and always listening to the National Christian Choir on Sunday afternoons on WDAC. Throughout her life, she used her gift of teaching little ones about Jesus. It was a joy to her to teach Sunday school and her 2-3 year old Awana classes called “Buddies”.
Genine loved to organize family parties and bring people together. She planned retirement, anniversary, and birthday dinners for her parents and reunions for extended family. Because of Genine her family has many precious memories of pontoon boat rides on the Susquehanna River, picnics at Shikellamy State Park and wonderful dinners at Country Table Restaurant in Lewisburg. She could always be counted on to plan a birthday, shower or graduation party for her children and grandchildren. She loved going to Tea Affair in Lititz with her mother, sister, and daughter. She often even dragged the men in the family along for tea.
While her children grew up she loved watching her son Matt play basketball and daughter play volleyball for Hempfield High School. As well as watch her son Luke at soccer games and her son Micah play basketball for Lititz Christian School. She loved watching all her children compete on summer swim team during their elementary years.
She had the gift of hospitality and one always felt welcome in her home. She loved her children and grandchildren and was always looking for ways to serve them. She was their “rock”.
Genine is survived by her loving husband Anthony Donato of East Petersburg; her four children son Luke Donato of Westminster, MA; son Matt and wife Jessica Donato of Clarksville, TN; daughter Lauren and husband Jon Daniels of Lancaster, PA; son Micah Donato of Okinawa, Japan; and 5 grandchildren, Kaylee, Charlie, Charlotte, and Autumn Daniels of Lancaster and Olivia Donato of Clarksville, TN. She is also survived by, sister Jeanette Campbell of Saxonburg, PA; brother John Stahl of Oxford, PA; twin brother George Stahl of Shamokin, Pa.
Genine will be sadly missed by all who knew her. She suffered greatly during her brief illness but her best to survive. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is in heaven with her blessed Lord and Savior. She would encourage all who grieve to seek hope in Christ alone and turn to Psalm 34 sung by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
Thomas (Sherwood) Everett ‘57 (English) North Chili – A devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, Thomas Sherwood Everett went home to his Father in heaven on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at the age of 87. Predeceased by parents, Thomas Maben Everett and Rhea Vivian Everett; loving wife, Claudia Kellam Everett. Survived by brother John Stephen Everett; sister Rhea Jacquelyn Van Klaveren; children Thomas “Shay” Everett, Sherilisa (James) Morton; grandchildren Shaelise (Nekabari) Tor, Chantel Morton, Sharissa Morton; great grandchildren Malcom Tor, Milo Tor; many family and friends.
A loving father, dedicated church layman, and a strong advocate for missions work abroad and at home, Sherwood devoted his life to serving his Lord and Savior.
Thomas Sherwood Everett was born to Thomas Maben and Rhea Vivian in June of 1935, in the town of Eight Mile, Alabama. Growing up in a Christian home, he attended the local Methodist church with his family. Sherwood met Claudia Kellam, also attending the Methodist church, and they became childhood sweethearts.
After dating in high school, the couple married on June 18, 1953 and moved north with a trailer to Asbury, Kentucky to attend college and seminary. After a year, Sherwood & Claudia continued north to Roberts Wesleyan College to purse teaching degrees. Sherwood graduated in 1957 and a year later, moved his family of three, back south to Florida to teach at Miami Christian Schools. He later become a counselor at Citrus Grove, Dade County Public Schools. He served the youth in Miami, FL for 25 years making eternal impacts on young lives.
After retirement, Sherwood came back north to be near his daughter and grandchildren. He continually expressed his love for his family, supporting them in all their activities and events. He was a quiet and loving influence in their lives, even as adults. In his own steady way, Sherwood shared his wisdom and experiences as he participated in the daily lives of his family. He will be greatly missed, but always remembered. Sherwood’s legacy of love for the Lord and his family will live on in our hearts and memories.
Gene (Webster) E. Knapp ‘44 (High School Alum) SPENCERPORT: Gene, age 96, died at home on November 22, 2021. She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Frank Knapp. She is survived by her 4 children, Peter (Leslie), Gail Florence (Al), Becky Johnson (Norm), and Kathy Gissin (Dave-deceased). Gene has 13 grandchildren, Leah Peterson (Jeff), Emily Miller (Rich), Jason Florence (Kim), Sabra Florence (Derek), Sarah Florence, Rebecca Florence (Ricardo), Ben Florence, Jackie Smith (Steve-deceased), Nathan Johnson (Laurie), Peter Johnson (Alicia), Sonia Hennelly (Shaun), Jacob Gissin (Megan) and Zach Gissin (Evin). In addition, she has 20 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She has one surviving brother, Dick Webster (Selma), and a sister-in-law, Leah Taylor (Carroll-deceased).
Gene was born in Jamestown, NY. She attended Roberts Wesleyan College and was a charter member of the Spencerport Wesleyan Church. She retired as the main office school secretary from the Spencerport Bernabi School, a job she loved. She was an outstanding cook and winner of several regional baking contests. She was an avid reader and supporter of the Ogden Farmers’ Library.
Nancy Lee (Hills) LaQuay ‘63 age 79, of South Dayton entered into eternal rest November 5, 2020 surrounded by her children.
She was born June 10, 1941 in Gowanda, NY to the late Gerald and Mary (Matteson) Hills.
Nancy graduated from Pine Valley Central Schools and attended Roberts Wesleyan College.
She was an administrative assistant for Hills Funeral Chapel and in her retirement, she worked as a substitute aide for Cattaraugus - Little Valley Central Schools.
Nancy liked all kinds of puzzles, crocheting, reading, making jelly, juice, applesauce, and gardening.
She is survived by her husband D. Bruce LaQuay, her loving children Lori (Brian) Armen, Daniel (Rose) LaQuay and Lisa LaQuay; four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; her siblings Norman G. (Sharon) Hills and Ruthann Zrimsek. Besides her parents she was pre deceased by her brother Dennis G. Hills.
Charles W. Schaefer Sr. ‘64 (English) 76, of North Pharsalia passed away Tuesday afternoon, August 6, 2019 at his home. Charles was born on March 3, 1943 in Jamaica, NY the son of Charles and Madeleine (Petrich) Schaefer where he attended Brooklyn Tech. High School. He continued his studies by attending Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester earning his BA degree and continued on to Long Island University earning his Master’s degree. Charles then attended SUNY Binghamton where he earned his Ph.D in literature.
Charles married Gloria Miller on September 1, 1962 at her parents’ home in Rosedale, NY. In 1979 they decided to move upstate first living in McDonough for 20 years and then to their present home in North Pharsalia for over 20 years.
Charles’ life was always dedicated to education. Over the years he has been employed by Ballston Spa High School where he taught English in the Junior High School, Valparaiso University in Indiana as a Professor of English, then on to NYS SUNY in Farmingdale and then to Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. He had also been the Associate Dean at Elmira College. He also worked part time at the Massapequa Public Library.
Charles was also a substitute Pastor and Preacher at the church in Pearisburg of Pearisburg, VA (NDC) and Rochester, NY. A special achievement of his life was to have written and have published 8 books on Christianity and the church.
Charles is survived by his wife Gloria of No. Pharsalia, children Charles (Lea) Schaefer, Jr. of Calverton, NY, Suzanne (Craig) Fahrenkrug of Vestal, NY and Luther Schaefer of No. Pharsalia. Also surviving are his grandchildren Jasmine and Angelina Fahrenkrug, Lauren Schaefer and Andrew Schaefer along with one great grandchild Ethan.