Bethel Magazine Spring 2019

IN MEMORY 1 The Rev. Albert J. Beutler ’51, Ph.D. , 89, passed away Dec. 23, 2018. He was the first alumnus to serve as president of Bethel College. Beutler came to Bethel in 1947 with the inaugural freshmen class and graduated in 1951 with a degree in Biblical Literature and Psychology. Immediately following graduation, he became Bethel’s dean of students and dean of men. In 1958, he became the school’s first men’s basketball coach. In 1966, he became Bethel’s first Alumnus of the Year after leaving Bethel to become the dean of student services at Indiana University in South Bend. He returned to Bethel to serve as its third president and is credited with constructing the Dining Commons and the Eastwood Apartments. In addition, he was responsible for eliminating operational debt, increasing assets by 60 percent, creating an associate’s degree (with 11 concentration areas) and a master’s degree in Christian education. Beutler was twice named “Sagamore of the Wabash,” first by Indiana governor Otis R. Bowen in 1979 and then by governor Robert D. Orr in 1985; he later became Ind.; and a brother, Craig (Pat) Ummel of Nashville, Tenn., as well as a very special friend, Rev. Don Carpenter. Doris lived for seven years in Jos, Nigeria, West Africa, where she cared for local villages and trained doctors and nurses. She became fluent in the tribal language, Housa. After returning to the states, she taught nursing at Ivy Tech for a number of years. She held many positions in nursing and administration at Elkhart General Hospital, worked as a state inspector for the Indiana State Department of Health for many years, and was the Director of the Plymouth Nursing Home . CharlesW. Matteson ’70-’71, 66, passed away Dec. 14, 2018, at United Hospice Service of Marlette Regional Hospital. Charles was born on May 1, 1952 in Cass City, Mich., to the late Rev. Robert J and V. Arlene (Guilliat) Matteson. He married Sharon Lee Falk on Jun 16, 1972 and the couple enjoyed 46 years of marriage. Chuck worked construction until 1975 when he was employed by Bricker Brothers, finishing a 28-year career with the store as manager. Chuck fought a long, hard battle with pancreatic cancer but never lost faith in God’s care. He was a lifelong member of Bethel Missionary Church, serving in many capacities, from youth leader to Vice Chairman of the church board. Chuck is survived by his wife, Sharon; sons, Ben of Yale, Mich., Nate (Lisa Jacot) of Florida, John Matteson of Maryland, and daughter Danielle (Rob) Kolean of Indiana; three grandsons and two granddaughters; and sister Cindy (Steve) Zook of Indiana. Lorraine (Chapman) Smith (attended ’49-’50) , of Fort Wayne, Ind., passed away on Feb. 23, 2018, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her children: Karen (Harry) Metzger of Bronson, Mich.; Donald (Susan) Smith, Jr. of Fort Wayne; Bonita (Dr. Albert) Cornelius of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Dr. David (Carolyn) Smith of Fort Wayne. She was preceded in death by a son, Donald David, and her husband, Donald L. Smith, Sr. Marvi Zhna Thomas ’15 , 47, and son Christopher David Andrew Poe, 9, entered the peaceful arms of their Lord and Savior on Dec. 16, 2018, after a car accident. A loving mother, daughter, and sister, Marvi was born in South Bend, Ind., to Juanita Davis-Thomas and Marvin D. Thomas. Christopher was born on March 1, 2009, to Marvi Thomas and Christopher Poe. Marvi is survived by her mother, Juanita (Davis) Harris, and sisters Stephanie Thomas of Arlington, Texas, and Andrea Phillips of Niles, Mich. 2 Leroy Troyer, 81, passed away Dec. 2, 2018, following an illness. He was serving as Trustee Emeritus of Bethel College at the time of his death. For nearly three decades, Troyer had extensive involvement with the college in the form of architectural work, master planning, serving on the Board of Trustees and donating professional services. He steadfastly supported Bethel in building relationships with the local community, alongside his wife Phyllis. Over the years, Troyer donated professional services to Bethel by designing the main entrance, chapel building an administrator at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan, where an Endowed Lectureship, “The Albert J. Beutler Forums on Ethics and Practice,” was established in 1995. Beutler served on numerous professional, educational, church and community service boards. He was a member of Hillside Missionary Church in South Bend, member and past president of Mishawaka Lions Club, where he chaired the Sight First II Campaign that raised over $40,000 for sight preservation in 2005-06. He also served on the board of St. Joseph County Scholarship Foundation from 1997-2010. In 2013, Bethel College named the Athletic Hall of Fame the Dr. Albert J. Beutler Hall of Fame. Beutler is survived by his loving wife Barbara of 68 years, two daughters, Nancy E. (George) Bassett of South Bend; and Amy J. (Matthew) Baron of Greer, S.C.; and a son, Rev. Stephen A. (Jayna) Beutler of Noblesville, Ind. He is also survived by six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Doris V. Ferguson ’52, 88, of Elkhart, passed away Feb. 7, 2019. She was born to John and Ferne (Huffman) Ummel, Jr. In 1969, she married Richard L. Ferguson. Surviving are children Cheryl Hartung of Goshen, Ind., Carol Linville of Nappanee, Ind., Sheila (Steve) Showers of Osceola, Ind., Rick (Robyn) Ferguson of Yale, Mich., and Cori (Melinda) Ferguson of Troy, Ill.; 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and sisters Rebecca (Gordon) Lilly, Elaine (Dale) Walterhouse, both of Branson, Mo., Nancy (Ron) Stump of Goshen, Ind., Patsy (Elson) Fish of Lakeville, 1 24 BethelCollege.edu/Magazine