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Friends United
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September/October 2009
MULLEN Thomas James Mullen, 74, June 19, 2009, West Richmond Friends, Indiana.
Thomas James Mullen, age 74, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Friday, June 19, 2009, of a massive stroke at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
Born August 2, 1934, in Mount Montmorenci, Indiana, to Albert Edwin Mullen and Bernice Elizabeth Weidlich Mullen, Tom was a well-known professor, speaker, humorist and author of 14 books. He graduated from Earlham College in 1956 and received his Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School in 1959.
He served as pastor of New Castle Friends Meeting for seven years before returning to his alma mater to become campus minister and later, dean of students. He taught writing at Earlham College for 32 years.
Tom joined the faculty of the Earlham School of Religion in 1972, where he served for many years as professor of applied theology. He was chosen to serve as dean of ESR during a crucial time in the school’s history, helping to raise funds for the construction of the current ESR classroom/community building, completed in 1989. An early and enthusiastic proponent of the affiliation of Bethany Theological Seminary, Tom also founded the successful Ministry of Writing Colloquium, which brings in noted authors from around the country to work with aspiring local writers. He retired from ESR in the late 1990s.
Among the best-selling titles of Tom’s 14 books are: Birthdays, Holidays and Other Disasters; Where 2 or 3 are Gathered … Someone Spills the Milk; Living Longer and Other Sobering Possibilities; Laughing Out Loud and Other Religious Experiences; and A Very Good Marriage.
In 2002, Yale Divinity School made Tom the recipient of their distinguished alumni award in “recognition of his superb work in theological education.”
Tom married fellow Earlham alumna, Nancy Kortepeter Mullen, who died on December 18, 1998, at the age of 64. Tom married fellow seminary professor, Nancy Faus, on December 21, 2002, who had also lost her spouse of many years. They enjoyed six wonderful years of marriage, traveling the world, teaching and preaching together and relishing the love of their combined families.
Tom was a member of West Richmond Friends Meeting for 42 years where he served on many committees, spoke many times, served on the Ministry Team and acted as interim minister. He was also an associate member of the Richmond Church of the Brethren where his wife Nancy Faus is an active member.
Tom is survived by his wife, Nancy Faus-Mullen; brother, Frank Mullen of Richmond; children, Sarah Northrop (Charles) of Richmond, Martha Shigenobu (Hideki) of Ridgewood, N.J., Brett Mullen (Pam) of Richmond and Ruth Mullen (Steve Beaven) of Portland, Ore.; two step-children, Jennifer Faus of Chicago, Ill., and Robert Faus (Phebe) of Flagstaff, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Charles Northrop of Richmond, Taro, Hanako and Kazu Shigenobu of Ridgewood, N.J., and Paul and Thomas Beaven (Tom’s namesake) of Portland, Ore.; step-grandchildren, William, Emma and Isabelle Faus of Chicago, Ill., Gretchen Faus of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Heather and Cheryl Hensley of Richmond.
A memorial service was held June 27, 2009, at West Richmond Friends Meeting, with Joshua Brown and Philip Gulley officiating. A second service was held August 2, 2009, on what would have been Tom’s 75th birthday, at the Richmond Church of the Brethren.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Tom Mullen Ministry of Writing Fellowship Program at the Earlham School of Religion, 218 College Ave., Richmond, IN 47374; or Richmond Friends School, 607 W. Main St., Richmond, IN 47374.
CRAVEN Dorothy Sessoms Craven, 55, May 24, 2009, High Falls Friends, North Carolina. Dorothy was the daughter of the late Robert L. and Dorothy Tillman Sessoms. She was retired from Ramtex in Ramseur. Survivors include her husband, Henry B. Craven; daughter, Amanda (Chris) Burns; son, Benjamin (Debbie) Henline; step-son, Brian (Jenny) Craven; sister, Barbara Seawell; brothers, Robert (Connie) Sessoms, Jr., Ricky (Sheila) Sessoms, Alan (Rhonda) Sessoms and James (Rhonda) Sessoms; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held May 27 at High Falls Friends Church, with the Rev. Robert Kidd officiating. Memorials should be directed to High Falls Friends Building Fund or to First Health Hospice Foundation.
DILLON Gordon Fredrick Dillon, 77, June 15, 2009, Archdale Friends, North Carolina. Gordon was born February 16, 1932, to John and Beatrice Patterson Dillon. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ronald; and sister, Velma Ann Dillon. On October 23, 1954, he married Carolyn Spencer Dillon who survives. He is also survived by a son, Keith (Jandra) Dillon; daughter, Carol Ann Robles; and five grandchildren. He was a former employee of Blue Bell Inc. for several years prior to retiring from Estes Express Lines in 1997. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1950 and Blanton’s Business College in Asheville in 1957. He was a proud veteran of The United States Marine Corps. He was a member of Archdale Friends Meeting where he served as co-chairman of the ushers and was active in the John Archdale Sunday School Class and Quaker Men. For many years, Mr. Dillon sent clippings of local newspaper articles to area youth to encourage them on their accomplishments in school, sports or community involvement. This was something he loved doing and continued as long as his health permitted. Funeral services were held June 17 at Archdale Friends Meeting, with Pastor Dave Mercadante, Pastor Ben Hurley and Pastor Scott Wagner officiating. Memorials may be directed to Archdale Friends Meeting or Hospice of the Piedmont.
FUSON William Fuson, 93, July 16, 2009, West Richmond Friends, Indiana. Bill was born December 21, 1915, in Canton, China, the son of Presbyterian missionaries, Chester and Phebe Fuson. At the age of 12, he returned to Emporia, Kansas, where he lived with his aunt. He graduated from the University of Kansas, and earned his Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Wisconsin. He married Helen Finley in 1941. His first teaching job was at the University of Michigan. He was a conscientious objector in WWII and spent three years in Civilian Public Service. After the war, Bill and Helen moved to Richmond, and he taught sociology at Earlham College from 1946-79. Bill had been an active member of West Richmond Friends Meeting since 1949. He served as clerk of Ministry and Oversight from 1956-59, from 1965-69 and again from 1982-83, and as clerk of Monthly Meeting for Business from 1975-76. He also served on many other committees. He was very involved with Friends Committee on National Legislation and the American Friends Service Committee. He had a lifelong love of travel and photography. Bill lived on College Avenue for more than 50 years. He had clear memories of the many generations of Friends who lived there, and could walk down the entire length of the avenue and tell stories about nearly every house. He moved to Friends Fellowship Community in 2005. Bill is survived by four children, Douglas (Bernadette), Jeffrey (Lisl), Michael (Vanessa) and Frances (Tony) McQuail. Bill had eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His wife Helen died in 1988. A memorial service was held on July 19 at Stout Meetinghouse on the Earlham campus, which Bill helped to build. Memorial contributions can be made to Friends Committee on National Legislation or to West Richmond Friends Meeting.
GEIGER Calhoun Doty Geiger, June 1, 2009, Durham Friends, North Carolina. Cal married Virgie Ileen Peake on March 5, 1946. He is survived by his wife; son, Edward Geiger; daughter, Ileen Moorman; and three brothers. Cal had a varied career in service to people including time with the American Friends Service Committee and Carolina Friends School. Cal was Quaker Lake Camp director from 1968-72 for NCYM-FUM. A conscientious objector during WWII, among the places he served in Civilian Public Service was Eastern State Hospital, Williamsburg, Virginia, where he made lifelong friendships with several other North Carolina Quakers. A memorial meeting under the care of the Durham Friends Meeting was held at Carolina Friends School on June 27. Memorials may be made to Carolina Friends School.
HAYES Fay Loflin Hayes, 87, May 14, 2009, Marlboro Friends, North Carolina. Fay retired as cafeteria manager at New Market Elementary School and was a member of the Friendly Friends Sunday School Class. She was preceded in death by husband, Kermit Hayes. Surviving are sons, Johnny and Tommy; daughter, Geneva Green; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A service was held at Marlboro Friends Meeting, with Pastor John Sides and Pastor Dale Matthews officiating. Memorials may be directed to Marlboro Friends Meeting Audio and Sound System Fund.
HILL Sarah Elizabeth Hill, 23, May 22, 2009, Glenwood Friends, North Carolina. Sarah was born on October 13, 1985. She graduated from Vandalia Christian School in 2004, attended Teen Mania Honor Academy in Texas and received her associate degree in graphic design from Guilford Technical Community College. She was currently a student in graphic design at Savannah College of Art and Design and employed as a photographer in the portrait studio at Sears in Savannah, Georgia. She loved children and had a special love for Alex and Katina. Sarah was a loving and caring “people person” who was much loved and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Marvin and Annie Mae Stack, and paternal grandparents, Dennis and Mafie K. Hill. Sarah is survived by her parents, Dennis and Catherine Stack Hill; brothers, Benjamin and Ryan Hill; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Funeral services were held May 26 at Glenwood Friends Meeting. Memorials may be made to Glenwood Friends Meeting.
MAYBERRY Ora Lee Mayberry, 73, July 9, 2009, Glenwood Friends, North Carolina. Ora Lee was born October 28, 1935, to the late Foy Webster and Liller Evelyn Collins Peele. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Donnie and Arthur Peele. She was a member of Glenwood Friends Meeting and a member of the United Society of Friends Women. Ora Lee loved, trusted and depended on her Lord throughout her life, serving Him through missions here in the U.S. and in 19 other countries. Her clown ministry as “Joy Belle” touched many children’s lives as she taught them the love of Jesus. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Neil Mayberry; two sons, Jimmy (Barbara) Mayberry and Tony (Beryl) Mayberry; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Florence Adams; and one half-sister, Sadie Dickerson. Funeral services were held July 12 at Glenwood Friends Meeting, with Tim Grant officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Glenwood Friends Meeting.
RUNYON Linda Fournier Runyon, 59, June 16, 2009, Marlboro Friends, North Carolina. Linda was born February 8th, 1950, a daughter to Irving and Monnie Graves Fournier. She was secretary and music director of Marlboro Friends Meeting. She loved her music, the beach and her dogs. In 1979 she married Larry Runyon who survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Mary Patricia Runyon; a sister, Mary Ellen Cole; six nephews and two nieces. A memorial service was held June 20 at Marlboro Friends Meeting with Pastor John Sides officiating. Memorials may be directed to Marlboro Friends Meeting Music Fund or to Hospice Home.
VAUGHT Lois S. Vaught, 106, May 8, 2009, Hopewell Centre Monthly Meeting, Virginia, and Friends House, Maryland. Lois spent 13 years in China as a missionary from London Yearly Meeting from 1931-44. She was active in New York Yearly Meeting, 1944-58, and in Baltimore Yearly Meeting, 1958-2000. Her main interest was religious education. She was the widow of Arnold Vaught, the last executive secretary of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, Orthodox. The Vaughts participated in the uniting of New York and Baltimore yearly meetings. She was a member of Hopewell Centre Monthly Meeting in Virginia, but worshiped at Friends House in Sandy Spring, Maryland.
WILLARD Jesse Charles Willard, 54, May 12, 2009, Union Cross Friends, North Carolina. Charles was born on September 4, 1954, to Jess and Irene Beane Willard. He was preceded in death by his mother. Surviving are his loving wife of 30 years, Sherri Russell Willard; father, Jess Willard and friend, Pearl Matthews; sister, Nancy (Jim) Johnson; a nephew; a special dog; and his cows. Charles loved his cows, tractors and cleaning cars in his shop. Funeral Services were May 15 at Union Cross Friends Meeting with the Revs. Archie Creed and Nelson Puffenbarger officiating. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Charles’ mother-in-law, Ercell Andrews, who loved and cared for him as a son; Steve and Jessie Clodfelter; Roger and Sandra Adams; Phyllis Adams; and all the many others that visited, helped transport Charles to radiation treatment and helped with his care. A special thank you to Jack Adams, Bill Griffin and Robert Adams for caring for the cows. Thank you to the Union Cross Friends Church family and to the Forbush High School graduating class of 1973. Memorials may be made to Sunset Wish Foundation, Winston-Salem; and to the WFUBMC Radiation-Oncology Patient Support, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, Attn: Roger Jordan.