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Deaths (att.) and Solane Ahlers. She grad- Andrew was born April 10, Festschrift “Exploring the Robert L. McDaniel (former staff), uated from Wisconsin Academy 1971, in Grants Pass, Oregon. Frontiers of Faith” for the 86, and his wife, Ilea A. in 1955, and shortly after, her He attended Blum Elementary, 75th birthday of Jan Paulsen McDaniel (att., former staff), father sold the farm and moved Jefferson Academy, Chisholm (BA ’57, MA ’58, BD ’62, MA ’83), 77, of Berrien Springs, died Jan. the family to Berrien Springs Trail Academy, Southwestern former president of the GC. 5, 2015, in an auto accident in for education. She married Bob Adventist University and The book was published by the Newton County, Indiana. McDaniel in 1961. Ilea worked Andrews University. Advent-Verlag Lüneburg and Bob was born Nov. 27, 1928, at VM Corporation in Benton He was a pastor in several distributed worldwide. He wrote to Ray and Fannie McDaniel in Harbor, and later at Andrews churches in Oklahoma, Texas, posts in German for the follow- Petersburg, Illinois, where he University for the James White Delaware and Maryland. At the ing church magazines: Advent graduated from high school in Library and Custodial Services. time of his death he was teaching Echo, Adventists Today, Signs of 1947. In 1950 he went to barber She completed her pilot training theology at Naga View Adventist the Times and Faith Today. college and began barbering and earned her pilot’s license. College in the Philippines. In the 2012 edition of Faith in 1951. After losing his job in Additional survivors Andrew truly served the Lord Today he gave a historical 1953 because he had become include her brothers, Floyd in a very unselfish way. His overview of the role of immigra- a Seventh-day Adventist and (BA ’66, MAT ’82) and Irene (att.) kindness touched many lives; tion in European . In would not work on Saturday, Ahlers of Berrien Springs and we won’t know until we get to the May 2011 issue of Adventists he moved his family to Berrien Larry Crawford of Owosso; sisters, heaven how many lives. Today he clarified through statis- Springs. He served his residency, Joyce Shepard of Owosso and He is survived by his wife, tics on the growth of the world wrote the Michigan barber exam Bonnie McGowan of McLaughlin, Cecile Mendoza Pearce population and other religions, and went to work with Charlie South Dakota. She was preceded (former staff); children, Mia, Adiel the size and the challenge of the Martz in 1954. in death by her parents; her and Aarron of the Philippines, great commission to go “into all In 1959 he was offered the stepmother, Dorothy; and brother, and Cherish Pearce of Cleburne, the world.” He also wrote the operation of the Barber Shop Lloyd Ahlers (BA ’66, MA ’75). Texas; mother, Carol Ghering and Adult Study Guide about mission on the campus of EMC (now stepfather, George; father, Darrel that will be used by Adventists Andrews University), which he Carole Boothby (BA ’54), 83, Pearce; brothers, Darrin and around the world for the third operated until 2007 when he sold. died peacefully in her home on Anthony Pearce; stepbrothers, quarter of 2015. Bob liked sports, and while Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014. She was Christopher and Robert Ghering; Left to mourn him are his working at the University he born in Wisconsin on April 7, 1931. stepsister, Jennifer Savage; wife Iris (att.), two sons, Steen played softball, volleyball, bas- In 1953 she married Lee adopted siblings, Michael (MA ’77) and Kim, and two ketball, racquetball and golf. As Boothby (att.), eventually set- and Lana Ghering; aunt, Evie grandchildren. he got older, he gave up the fast tling in Berrien Springs, where Kinman; and many cousins. sports for golf, which he enjoyed she taught grade school until she He was preceded in death by Cedric A. Allen (BA ’51) died at playing well into his mid-80s. He started raising her family. Carole his grandparents. the age of 87 on November 2, and Ilea both enjoyed garden- was a voracious reader, and for a 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. Cedric ing and sharing their produce time enjoyed creating ceramics. Borge Schantz (MA ’74) died on was a native of Jamaica, West with neighbors and friends. He She was talented in the kitchen, Dec. 12, 2014, at the age of 83. Indies. had two daughters (Sherry and and her family and friends loved Born August 3, 1931 in He received his medical degree Janice), and he adopted Ilea’s sampling her delicacies. Denmark, he studied in the UK from Loma Linda University two children (Kevin and Karen). Carole was preceded in (Newbold College) and the USA in Loma Linda, California. He Surviving are Janice (William) death by her parents, William (Andrews University). In 1983, established his medical practice Watts of Washington, Illinois; and Ethel (Smith) Larson; her he received his doctorate at in 1959 in Lufkin, Texas with a Kevin (BA ’84, MDiv ’87) and brothers, Clyde W. Larson and Fuller Theological Seminary in specialty in family practice for Susan (BS ’84) McDaniel of Randolph J. Larson; and only Pasadena, California. over 40 years. Montana; Karen McDaniel (att.) a few short weeks ago by her Børge Schantz served the Cedric was an active man who of California; six grandchildren; husband, Lee Boothby. Carole Seventh-day Adventist Church for enjoyed golfing, gardening and and four great-grandchildren. is survived by daughters Robin 47 years as a pastor, evangelist, reading poetry. He also enjoyed Sherry McDaniel preceded them (Clarke) Allen (att.) and Denise teacher and department head the spectator sports of boxing in death in 2009. In addition to his (Sam) Soranno (BSELED ’85); in several European countries, and cricket. children, he is survived by a sister, grandchildren Joel (Kelly) Africa, Lebanon and the U.S. He is survived by his wife Lois (Kenny) White of Petersburg. Rayner, Nicholas (Valerie) Allen From 1987–1996 he headed the Elizabeth Allen with whom he He was preceded in death by his (former staff) and Kayla Moran. Adventist Center for Islamic shared 52 years of marriage, his parents; a brother, Gerald; and a Studies at the General Conference. children, Shawn Allen-Forrest sister, Carol Haynes. Andrew Evan Pearce (MDiv ’11), Børge wrote numerous (BS ’85) and Dennis Allen, and Ilea was born Feb. 18, 1937, in 43, passed away Dec. 26, 2014, in articles and several books. his grandchildren Ryan Forrest, Madison, Wisconsin, to Harold the Philippines. He was co-editor of the 2009 Maya Forrest and Kingston Allen.

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Thesba Natalie (Yeaton) Johnston seven years. She acted as (former faculty) passed away on Nov. 27, 2014 an “assistant governor” in Berrien Springs, Michigan. traveling the state as the Thesba was born on November 15, 1918 governor’s “eyes and ears,” in Newport, New Hampshire. Her father, writing proclamations and Austin McFarland Yeaton, was a literature speeches, and attending all evangelist in the New England area and legislative and gubernato- her mother, Eliza May Lattie Yeaton, was rial functions. a normal school teacher. It was Thesba’s Governor Emerson mother who created her unique first name. relied on Thesba as his Thesba’s mother was ambitious for her chief advisor, counselor education and put together enough money and confidant and she was to send her to South Lancaster Academy in very humbled when he South Lancaster, where she asked to borrow her graduated in 1936. It was while attending for a weekend so he could Thesba Johnston in the classroom, c. 1985 SLA that Thesba met her best lifelong read the passages she had friend, Alice Smith. marked as having special meaning to her. a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. Thesba was baptized into the Seventh- Governor Emerson and Harold encour- The General Conference of Seventh-day day Adventist Church on Sept. 3, 1935, and aged Thesba’s thirst for higher education Adventists established the Thesba Johnston considered her baptism the most important and with their support she obtained her MA Scholarship Fund and was among other event in her entire life. from the University of Vermont in 1955 and entities that also presented her with After graduating from SLA, Thesba had to EdD from Boston University in 1962. Within Lifetime Achievement Awards. The YWCA take a job as a maid/cook for a large family months of receiving her doctoral degree, and local Women’s Community Association in the area. Her folks had only enough Thesba received an invitation for a position also recognized her accomplishments. money to send one child to college and the as full professor in the graduate school of It was after her retirement at age 70 from decision to send her younger brother was education at Atlanta University where she Andrews University that Thesba traveled to consistent with the mentality of the times taught for 15 years and received the Trustee Nizhny Novgorod, Russia to teach spoken that higher education would be wasted Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1967. English at an Adventist language school on a woman who would only get married It was during her Atlanta years that from 1993–1994. She also spent a year teach- and never make any use of it. It was her Thesba co-founded the Concerned Christian ing English from 1997–1998 in Shijiazhuang, Aunt Bertha, a schoolteacher in New York Council in an effort to bridge the racial gap People’s Republic of China. Thesba City, who offered to pay for her tuition to and facilitate integration in local Seventh- celebrated her 80th and 82nd birthdays in Burlington Business College where she day Adventist churches. Thesba also helped China. obtained a two-year college degree. Thesba found the Atlanta Christian Counseling While awards and tributes for her remained forever grateful for her aunt’s gift, Center, designed to offer counseling for all leadership, teaching, advocacy or academic which changed the trajectory of her life. in need without regard for ability to pay. contributions certainly deserve mention, Thesba met the love of her life, Harold In 1978 she joined the faculty of Andrews anyone who really knew her would tell you Johnston, on an arranged double date and University, where she was instrumental that her single greatest gift or talent was her they spent their first date at the Sherbrook in establishing a doctoral program in enormous capacity to love—to love deeply, Fair. She and Harold married in 1944 in St. counseling psychology. Thesba also had a unconditionally and faithfully. It was her Johnsbury, Vermont. She graduated from private practice as a licensed psychologist soft-spoken, tenderhearted extraordinary Lyndon State Teachers College with a BS in in Berrien Springs and was the first female ability to love which transformed the lives 1948. licensed psychologist in Berrien County. of countless others on her life journey. The door to the governor of Vermont’s She also helped establish the Counseling She was preceded in death by her office opened to Thesba early in the 1950s Center at the University Medical Center. parents, her brother, Austin Yeaton, and during her high school teaching career Central to Thesba’s identity was her her husband, Harold Johnston. She is at Barton Academy, where she taught strong desire for social justice and her advo- survived by her son, Andrew H. Johnston; Governor Lee Emerson’s two daughters. cacy for racial and gender equality inspired her two daughters, Alyce E. Flanders (att.) The governor’s wife was so impressed with numerous achievements and awards. She and Sheila A. Smith (att.); grandsons, Thesba that she recommended Thesba was a charter member and first female elder Christopher Grant, Benjamin Smith, and to her husband when he became in need at All Nations Seventh-day Adventist Church Aaron Smith; and three great-grandaugh- of a personal secretary. Within a year he in Berrien Springs. In 1983, she founded ters, Layla, Kylee and Jaelyn Smith. appointed her “Secretary of Civil and the Michiana Chapter of the Association of Military Affairs,” a position she held for Adventist Women, who honored her with Excerpted from life sketch by Sheila A. Smith

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Dolores (Parker) Slikkers More recently, she was a member of the (Hon LLD ’07, board member) was born June Theology of Ordination Study Committee, 22, 1929, and died in a car crash on Dec. which was formed at the request of the 18, 2014, in her hometown of Holland, General Conference to find out whether a Michigan. group of Adventist theologians, scholars Dolores played an active role in Adventist and laypeople could reach a consensus on leadership over the decades, including as women’s ordination. The committee was a member of the Executive Committee of unable to reach consensus during a two- the General Conference, the top govern- year study. ing body of the Adventist world church. Dolores was “quiet and kind-hearted,” She was serving as a member of both the said Ingo Sorke, a professor of religion at Andrews University board of trustees and Southwestern Adventist University who the executive committee of its Seventh-day sat with her on the Theology of Ordination Adventist Theological Seminary at the time Study Committee. “She had a sincere love of her death. for her church and a genuine expectancy of Born in Monterey Township, Michigan, the Second Coming.” Dolores grew up on a farm six miles from Dolores was a member of the Holland her future husband Leon’s family farm. Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was Living near Hamilton, Leon went to Holland Dolores Slikkers involved in personal ministries, women’s High and Dolores attended Allegan High. ministries, the church board, projects for Leon met Dolores at a sleigh ride party. Dolores and her husband, Leon, also the Holland Adventist School, church trea- Each was “dating” someone else—but two contributed financially to many church surer, Community Services Center director, years later he sought her out. The couple projects from revenues made at their and Sabbath school teacher for many years. dated for a year and half, and married Dec. successful boating manufacturer S2 Yachts, Dolores also had a fondness for celebrat- 6, 1947. Schoun said. ing birthdays and skiing. She sent out more The couple started their own boat “From the success of those efforts, they than 2,000 birthday cards every year and company in 1955—SlickCraft—financed by were able to generously give financial gifts went skiing regularly with her husband in selling their first house. Dolores did the for various church projects, including the U.S. West. bookkeeping for the new company. assisting students with tuition costs for She is survived by Leon (Hon LLD ’07, Niels-Erik A. Andreasen (MA ’65, BD ’66), Adventist education,” he said. board member), her husband of 67 years, president of Andrews University, expressed Perhaps the highest-profile project that and four children: David (att.) and Mary “deep sadness” about Slikkers’ death in an Dolores helped initiate was Maranatha Slikkers of Holland; Robert and Barbara email message to faculty and staff. He said Volunteers International, a non-profit Slikkers of Holland; Susan Slikkers Slikkers and her husband took an active Adventist-affiliated organization that (AS ’76, BS ’78) and Mark Ringwelski role in campus life starting in the 1960s she co-founded with her husband and (BS ’79) of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Thomas and noted that the University had recog- John Freeman in 1969. Today, Maranatha (AS ’82) and Barbara Slikkers of Holland; nized their business accomplishments and mobilizes volunteers to construct urgently grandchildren: Leon II (BA’ 97), Steven philanthropic endeavors by giving them needed schools, churches, orphanages, (BS ’95), Kelly (att.), Timothy (att.), honorary doctorates in law in 2007. clinics and houses around the world. Samantha (BS ’12, BA ’12) and Alexander “Dolores Slikkers was strongly com- “Dolores and Leon were part of the Slikkers; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers: mitted to Seventh-day Adventist beliefs original group of pilots who flew mission- Bill and Jan Parker of Holland; Ted and and values,” said Benjamin D. Schoun ary trips to the Caribbean and Central and Stella Parker of Zeeland; and many nieces, (BA ’70, MDiv ’73, DMin ’82), general vice South America,” S2 Yachts said in a state- nephews and cousins. president of the General Conference and ment in 2007. Additionally, Dolores was a Dolores was preceded in death by her chair of the Andrews University board of member of the S2 Yachts Board of Directors. parents, Allen and Evelyn Parker, and her trustees. Since its inception, Maranatha has sisters, Marjorie and Lela. “Her special interest was in Adventist constructed more than 3,800 “One-Day” education, which she promoted strongly,” churches, 600 “One-Day” schools, 115 educa- Schoun said. “She was currently on the tion and evangelism centers, and 760 water Excerpted from Andrew McChesney/Adventist Andrews University board and is the wells, according to its website. It mobilized Review and Amy Biolchini/Holland Sentinel longest-serving member of that group. She more than 2,400 volunteers in 2013 alone. was active in that responsibility, asking Dolores also served on the boards of It Is pertinent questions at nearly every board Written television in California and Griggs meeting.” University in Michigan.

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