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Alumni Notes | January 2024

Publications & Celebrations

Scott J. Austin ‘99 (Contemporary Ministries) is now a counselor in the Wellness Center at Roberts. He is still the pastor at Artisan Church.

Faith E. Turner ’82 (Music Education) Will retire from teaching Special Education PreK in June 2024. Currently leading a Book Club, a Fitness Walking Group, and the group SoulSteps (A hiking group).

Obituaries

Judith L. Hendrickson ’66 (English) went home to be with Jesus on Saturday (Sept. 16, 2023). A resident of North Wales, Judith, "Judy" to family and friends, was a longtime member of Chelten - a Church of Hope in Dresher. There she was a Bible study leader in the Tapestry women's ministry, where she helped many women gain a better understanding of the Word. She was married for 52 years to Raymond (Ray) Hendrickson Jr., who predeceased her in 2015. They had two daughters, Alyson Hendrickson Wentz (Bill) of Pottstown and Lisa Lea Hendrickson of California. They also have two grandchildren, William P. Wentz IV and Anna (Lou) Wentz, both of Philadelphia. The eldest child of Durward and Irene Weimer (Fitzsimmons), Judy was born in Bradford in 1944. She was followed soon after by her brother, Keith Weimer (Becky) of Anamosa, Iowa; and then later by sisters, Connie Munson (Don) of Rochester, N.Y., and Carol Apgar (Dave) of Camp Hill.

Judy, who had a lifelong love of learning, graduated as salutatorian of her class at Smethport Area High School. She was one of the few women in her class to go on to higher education attending Houghton College and then Roberts Wesleyan University, from which she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English. While attending college, Judy met and married Ray. They settled in Rochester, where Judy continued her education and then later worked at the Rochester Public Library. They would later move with Alyson to Rixford, and then back to Farmers Valley, where they built a home near Judy's parents. A few years later, Judy and Ray were called to join Christian Literature Crusade (CLC) in Fort Washington, and so the family that now included Lisa moved again. During their time at CLC, Judy used her English skills to edit and proofread manuscripts. When they left CLC, Judy took a job at Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys (TASA), where she used her keen mind to find expert witnesses for legal cases. She remained with TASA for 33 years, retiring in 2011. Despite working full-time, being extremely active in her church, and a mother, and later grandmother, Judy continued to pursue her love of the Lord and the Bible, earning a master's in theological studies from Bethel Seminary of the East in 2011 after 13 years of study at age 67!

In retirement, Judy and Ray traveled extensively across the U.S. as well as to the Caribbean and the U.K. Their last trip together was an Alaskan cruise. In the years following Ray's passing Judy continued to travel. She realized a lifelong dream in 2016 when she visited Israel with a church group. She also took several trips with her siblings and with Alyson and her family. Although she experienced many health difficulties in recent years, Judy remained faithful in her Bible studies and online attendance of church services and prayer meetings. She ministered to many online, over phone and text, and through cards and letters. She also gave generously to the church and a number of other organizations. In this way Judy inspired and improved the lives of so many people who in turn helped others.

An avid reader, Judy could almost always be found in her favorite chair deep in a murder mystery. In addition, she enjoyed her time with family and friends and kept a prayer book of sorts where she would pray over whatever troubles they were facing. It was not unknown for Judy to pray for someone she barely knew or had never met, so great was her desire to help others and her devotion to prayer. Judy loved butterflies and congruently she had a butterfly effect on those around her. She helped and loved people so strongly, and they in turn spread that love to others. Although she will be deeply missed by so many, we take comfort in knowing she's with her savior where she's happy and whole. 

Edward House ’64 Edward House was born July 22, 1942 and died January 3, 2024. He was born in Fulton, New York to the late Pearl & Edward House. Following a long lingering illness he went home to be with his Lord and Savior.

Edward graduated from Phoenix High School where he was involved in football and track. He attended both Roberts Wesleyan College and Yale University. He also served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 until 1965. He held many different positions in his lifetime to include: Church and Dwight, Weinberger Church Furniture, Miles Homes and Landstar Trucking. He was also County Legislator for Oswego County serving in Palermo, New York. He was a Sunday School Superintendent, youth leader and Sunday School teacher. He loved serving the Lord.

He loved to travel across the country. He supported the Jewish organization Wings of Eagles in their effort to bring Jewish people back to their homeland. He loved teaching anyone who wanted to learn to count in Chinese. Ed had the greatest smile that would make you feel as ease when you were talking to him. He could converse with all ages from children to adults. He loved people and was always willing to help others in their time of need.

He loved his family dearly. He loved to sing hymns with his wife Linda as they travelled down Route 81. Edward was a prolific reader, he was especially fond of reading the Bible and Louis Lamour books. His favorite actors were John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart. He loved molasses cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, jelly bellies, and maple walnut ice cream. He loved to watch Syracuse basketball and football games. I would like to thank everyone at Seneca Hill Manor for the wonderful care they gave my husband, especially the third floor staff during his stay.

Edward leaves many family and friends behind to cherish his memory. His loving wife, Linda House; children, Rodger, Lael, Shae and Amber House; grandchildren: Preston, Andrew, (Chloe Lynn), John (Tristen) and Jasmine; stepsons, Robert (Leah), Stephen (Kathryn) Pagliaroli; step grandchildren: Robert, Kamryn, Seth, Lillian Pagliaroli. Siblings: Patricia (Warren), Howard, Judith, (Leland) Waldron, Susan (Philip) Ungleich. He was predeceased by his siblings; Sandra Harris, Eric House, Infant Colleen. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins. Ed was a very loving, kind, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Alana (Kelly) Johnson '70 (English) Alana K. Johnson, 76, was born on May 6, 1947 in Erie, PA. She recently passed away on December 31, 2023 in Hilton, NY. A memorial service will be held on June 2 at 2:00 PM at Pearce Church, located at 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili. Alana attended McDowell High School, Roberts Wesleyan College, and SUNY Brockport. She worked for Gates Chili Central School.

Marilynn (Chase) Tullar '55 (Sociology) Marilynn was born on May 17, 1933 in McPherson, KS to parents Warren Chase and Helen VanValin Chase Lutz. Marilynn’s mother was a homemaker, while her father worked as a coach and evangelist (sometimes his preaching jobs earned payment in the form of crops or chickens). Together, Warren and Helen raised Marilynn along with siblings, Florence, Dorothy, Virginia, and Richard.

She attended grade school in a number of locations – Ottawa, KS; Albion, NY; Franklin, PA; and Youngsville, PA. Marilynn eventually settled in the Chili area, attending high school at the Roberts Wesleyan High School and college at Roberts Wesleyan, too. She earned her bachelor's degree in social work and excelled musically, singing with her sisters in a church trio. Marilynn entered the workforce with Taylor Instrument and eventually went on to take a job as nursery school teacher for Pearce Memorial Church. Marilynn was an active participant in her faith community. She was a member of the Christian Women’s Club, acting as a Bible study leader, area representative, and speaker. She also taught Sunday school at Pearce Memorial Church. In her free time, Marilynn enjoyed sailing, sewing, baking, needlepoint, knitting, entertaining guests, and reading.

During her time at Roberts Wesleyan College, Marilynn Chase met the love of her life, Dudley Tullar. The pair married on March 5, 1955. Their union was one of vast love and devotion which lasted until Dudley’s passing in 1998. They were blessed with four children – Nancy, Beverly, and twins Timothy and Thomas. Throughout her lifetime, Marilynn invited canine companions to be part of the family, too, including Brownie, Smokey, Red, and Tina Muff. As a family, the Tullars valued quality time together. They visited parks, went roller and ice skating, took yearly vacations, participated in church activities, played board games, went sledding, go-carting, biking, and four-wheeling. The most important aspects of Marilynn’s life were her faith in God and her strong relationship with her family.

Marilynn enjoyed music. She played the piano and sang very well. She could often be found listening to hymns and Big Band songs, or maybe watching Lawrence Welk or Everybody Loves Raymond. Oftentimes, Marilynn quipped, “It’s always something.” or “Did you just call me??” or “One swell foop” (instead of one fell swoop). She treasured her relationships with her friends, too, especially Diane Drury, Nancy Morrison, the Darlings, the Kemps, Marilyn Pert, and Bev Malizia. Marilynn will be remembered with love as a sassy, funny, spontaneous woman who had tremendous devotion to her faith. She was cherished by many and was an inspiration to those fortunate enough to know her.

Ethel (Chase) Smith '56 (Sociology) Ethel M. Smith, 89, formerly of Cherry Tree and recently of Monroeville, passed away at Juniper Village of Monroeville on January 9, 2024. She was born February 11, 1934, the daughter of Andrew and Ruth (Guisler) Clapper, in Irwin, PA, one of a set of twins. She graduated from Clairton High School and attended Roberts Wesleyan College in N. Chili, New York until 1954 when she married Dalvin Jay Smith, her husband of 62 years. She was the beloved mother of Dawn McCleery (Bob) of Delaware, Ohio; Brian (Julie) of Black Mountain, N.C.; Valerie Downey (Chris) of Albia, Iowa; and Cynthia Delmanto (Bob) of Monroeville, PA. She was the grandmother of Maureen McCleery, Lydia Downey Bembnister (Kyle), Richard Downey (Alexi), James Downey (Joy), and Noah Downey (Allie). She was great-grandmother to Elijah, Israel, Gideon, Amelia Mae, Shiloh Anne, Jonah, Bryce, Roy, Kaylee, and Christopher Downey. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dalvin, and her twin sister Edith Clapper.

She is also survived by a sister, Esther Smith, and a sister-in-law Mary Ellen Emerick.

She most recently attended the Monroeville Community Church with Bob and Cindy and had been a member of the Kenwood Nazarene Church of Indiana County. Before that, she was a member of the Alexandria Free Methodist Church in Virginia where she taught Sunday School to teens and was their Bible Quiz Team Leader. She was also a member of the Penn Hills Free Methodist Church teaching teens and was director of the puppet team.

She loved to read, occasionally reading nearly 20 books in a month. Ethel also enjoyed sewing, watching Wheel of Fortune and movies on the Hallmark Channel, and she wrote thousands of cards and letters to many recipients over the years as well as writing in her daily journal.

Ethel will be greatly missed by her family, her friends, and many who were blessed to know her. She loved the Lord and is now celebrating with all of her loved ones in His presence. 

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