Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2026, Andrews University Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:03:00 +0000 Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:03:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu Death of Ione Markel Richardson http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69370 Ione Markel was born in Elizabethville, Pennsylvania, to Gideon and Erlena (Weaver) Markel. Ione died at 95 in College Place, Washington, adored by her family. As a teenager, she converted to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and graduated from Shenandoah Valley Academy, Virginia, in 1948. She taught elementary grades fall, winter and spring, in one-room schools, to earn money to attend summer school at Emmanuel Missionary College in Michigan, where she earned a BSc degree in education in 1957. Ione met Gwynne Richardson from California, attending Potomac University in Maryland, who became the love of her life and ministry partner on May 31, 1959. For 11 years, the Richardsons were Adventist teachers at the elementary-secondary level across the United States. In 1970, they transitioned into pastoring as a couple in 15 congregations over 46 years in the Oregon Conference, where she was also a women’s ministry assistant director and relief chaplain at Adventist Health Portland in the 1980s and 1990s. Ione is survived by her son Paul (Teri) and daughter Kari Olson (Eric) in Walla Walla, Washington, and grandchildren David (California) and Kristen (Australia). Her husband, parents, brother Paul and sister Grace preceded her in death. Her memorial service video can be viewed <a href="https://chrisdrake.stream/ione-richardson">here</a>.  Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:08:50 +0000 Death of Kenneth Franz http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69352 Kenneth LeRoy Franz, 89, of Berrien Springs, MI. passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. ... <div> Kenneth was born on Oct. 4, 1936, in Ellendale, North Dakota, to Bennie and Irene (Sprouse) Franz. He earned his bachelor's degree from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and later received his master's degree from the University of Michigan.</div> <div>  </div> <div> On July 26, 1959, he married Norma Arvidson in Madison, South Dakota. Kenneth dedicated his career to education, serving as a mathematics professor at Andrews University, where he was known for his patience and commitment to helping students understand and appreciate mathematics. In addition to teaching, he was a skilled mason who worked extensively with stone, brick and concrete.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Read Franz's full obituary <a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/kenneth-franz-obituary?id=61672854">here</a>. </div> Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:15:17 +0000 Death of John William Rogers Jr. http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69225 John William Rogers Jr., husband of Jennifer Janssen-Rogers (Enterprise Applications business analyst at Andrews University), passed away on April 10, 2026. A memorial and celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., May 24, 2026, at Twin City Players, located at 600 W Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, MI. The service will be streamed; the obituary will be updated soon with that information. Read John's full obituary <a href="https://www.starksfamilyfh.com/obituaries/John-William-Rogers-Jr?obId=48272063">here</a>. Wed, 20 May 2026 10:59:56 +0000 Death of Gladys Davis Holmes http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68816 Gladys Gayle Davis was born on May 18, 1934, in Sheridan, Wyoming. She was the daughter of Harry and Blanche Davis. She moved to Belle Fourche, South Dakota, when she was five years old and grew up there on her grandparents' ranch. At the age of 14, she went to Oak Park Academy in Nevada, Iowa, where she graduated in 1952. She then attended Union Collage in Lincoln, Nebraska. By her second year at Union Collage, she taught the organ. Starting her fourth year, she transferred to Loma Linda University on the La Sierra campus in Riverside, California, where she graduated in 1956. She married Ivan Holmes in August of 1956 and worked at Thunderbird Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona, from 1956–1960, teaching the piano and organ. In 1960, she moved to Andrews University in Michigan, where she began working in the Department of Music. In 1962 she moved again to Corvalis, Oregon, where she and Ivan had their first child, Lori. She returned to Andrews University in 1965, working as a dental assistant. Her second child, Michael, was born in 1967. In 1972, she moved with her family to Riverside, California, where she served as assistant to the campus chaplain at Loma Linda University on the La Sierra campus. She received two master's degrees in 1981, one in family life and the other in guidance & counseling. Starting in 1992, she served as associate dean of women until 1999, when she retired and moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, with her husband. She passed away in Grand Junction on Jan. 15, 2026. She is survived by her husband Ivan, her daughter Lori and her son Michael. Read Davis Holmes' full obituary <a href="https://www.brownscremationservice.com/obituaries/gladys-holmes?ttm_pid=210798345&ttm_affiliate=legacypro&ttm_affiliatetype=standard&ttm_campaign=legacy">here</a>.  Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:11:58 +0000 Death of Woodrow Whidden http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68582 Woodrow Whidden, 81, passed peacefully at home in Berrien Springs on Nov. 11, 2025, beside his loving wife, Margaret, after a full life. <div> Known for his big voice, rich southern drawl, humor and a vocabulary filled with obscure words and sayings, Woody enjoyed long conversations with friends, family and anyone he met.</div> ... In 1990, he began his tenure at Andrews University as professor of religion and in 2006 at AIIAS Theological Seminary in Philippines, capping his career as an author, teacher and scholar. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; three children: Jamie, Jonathan (Zelda) and Laura (Cory) Wetterlin; six grandchildren; brothers: Ivan (Phyllis) and Phillip; sister Sylvia. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Pioneer Memorial Church in Berrien Springs. Read Whidden's full obituary <a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/heraldpalladium/name/woodrow-whidden-obituary?id=60094858">here</a>.  Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:27:01 +0000 Death of Eduardo Ocampo http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68550 Eduardo A. Ocampo was born on Oct. 13, 1931, to Lucila Yábar de Ocampo and Wenceslao Ocampo. At fifteen, he met the love of his life, Flora Alva León. They married in 1957 and, in 1973, moved with their four children to the United States, where Eduardo hoped they would receive an ideal education. He passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2025, in Loma Linda, California, surrounded by his loving family. He was 94. Born in Cusco, Peru—the ancient capital of the Inca Empire—Eduardo grew up among stone streets and cathedral bells that shaped his reverence for language, culture and faith. His life was defined by dignity, discipline and devotion—to God, to family and to the pursuit of truth and beauty. A graduate of the Universidad Adventista del Plata in Argentina and the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco, he devoted his life to ministry and education. He served as pastor in Tacna, Peru, and Mountain View, California, and as education director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s South American region, encompassing Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. In 1977, he joined Andrews University in Michigan as professor of modern laguages at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, where his clarity, eloquence and love of learning inspired generations. Upon retiring in 2002, he was named emeritus professor. That same year, Eduardo and Flora settled in Loma Linda, where they shared more than two decades of joyful retirement together. Those who knew him remember a man of intellect and grace—“an ambassador of Peruvian kindness,” as one colleague wrote—and a Christian gentleman whose faith and humility guided every step. The Ocampo home was always open, filled with conversation, music and laughter. Eduardo will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father to Samuel (and Gwen), Nino (and Adriana), Lucy, and Florita (and Andrew); and a proud grandfather to Eduardito, Natali (and Britney), Adrianita, Robert, Isabella, Nicholas, Mariana and Bia. Melissa Price, Ella, and Kainoa; Amy Ukleja, Mark, Thaddeus, and Summit; and Justin Brownfield, Tammy, Kaila, Juliett, and Noelle also knew him affectionately as “Belo.” Above all, he was a man of God—in the place God appointed, doing God’s work in God’s way. Thu, 06 Nov 2025 20:12:18 +0000 Celebration of Life for Katherine Smith http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68490 We are saddened to share that Katherine Smith, 95, passed away on Aug. 8, 2025, in Mesa, AZ, from complications of Alzheimer’s. A former associate dean of women and Pioneer Memorial Church co-head elder, she was a fixture in the Berrien Springs community for over 50 years. An informal Celebration of Life will be held at the Pioneer Memorial Church commons on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, from 5–7 p.m. Please join us as we share fond memories and fellowship together while enjoying a light supper. Share your favorite memory with Susie at <a href="mailto:livrefou@hotmail.com">livrefou@hotmail.com</a>. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Neighbor to Neighbor at <a href="https://www.n2nhelps.com">https://www.n2nhelps.com</a>.  Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:56:02 +0000 UPDATE: Memorial Service for Takura Carlos Rukuni http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68434 The memorial service for Pastor TC Rukuni will be held this Sunday, Oct. 12, at 9 a.m., at the Village Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Berrien Spring, MI. To read more about Pastor Rukuni and his life of service, please see our earlier <a href="http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68432" target="_blank">email</a>. Attached is a beautiful remembrance of Pastor Rukuni provided to the University. Sat, 11 Oct 2025 17:45:12 +0000