Alumni/ae Deaths
Honorable Martha E. Bellinger (’75)
WATERTOWN, NY / CLAREMONT, CA — The Honorable Martha E. Bellinger, a Watertown native who rose from her family’s Jefferson County dairy farm to the heights of the California judiciary, passed away February 12, 2026, in Claremont, CA, following a battle with leukemia. Described as possessing the “mind of a lawyer and the heart of […]
Festus A. Asana, Th.D., (’90)
The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) is mourning the death of one of its former leaders, the Very Rev. Dr. Festus Ambe Asana, who passed away in Orlando, Florida, USA, in the early hours of Monday, June 22, 2026. The announcement was made by the current Moderator of the PCC, Rt. Rev. Miki Hans Abia, […]
Reverend R. Wayne Parrish (’84)
Wayne Parrish, of Sudbury, passed away on June 9, 2026. He was born in 1946 in Richmond, Virginia. Wayne’s love language was acts of service, which shaped all of his relationships and his career as a pastor. He was constantly asking what he could do for the people around him, always putting others first. Whether […]
Dr. William F. Abel (’73)
The following obituary was originally published by Legacy and can be found here. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Perkins-Parker Funeral Home Cremation Services – Waterbury on Jun. 26, 2026. Following a long illness, William Fritz Abel (Bill), 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Waterbury Center, Vermont, on June 19th, 2026 with his second wife, Jane Gallagher, at […]
Reverend Dr. Roger W. Zimmerman (’70)
The following obituary was originally published by MassLive and can be found here. The Reverend Dr. Roger William Zimmerman died Friday, June 5, 2026, in Newtown, CT, at the age of 88 years. Celebration of life will be Saturday, June 20, at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Westfield, MA. Private inurnment will take place at Otis Center […]
Rev. Dr. Sarah Laymon Hallstrand (’71)
The following obituary was originally published by Legacy Obituaries and can be found here. Rev. Dr. Sarah Laymon Hallstrand, 81, died peacefully at her daughter’s home in Memphis, TN on June 6, 2026, with her family by her side. She is survived by John Hallstrand, her beloved spouse of over 50 years; by her daughter Rev. Dr. Lillian […]
Irvin Mark Conner, D.Min., ’78, ’82
The following obituary was originally published by Beard Mortuary and can be found here. The Reverend Doctor I. Mark Conner, 72, of Huntington, passed away on April 15, 2026, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, following a short illness. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians […]
Reverend Jack Kissel (’62)
The following obituary was originally published by Legacy and can be found here. It only takes one smile to offer welcome, andBlessed is the person who will share it.It only takes one moment to be helpful, andBlessed be the person who will spare it.It only takes one joy to lift a spirit, andBlessed be the person who will […]
Reverend Frank A. Hall (’72)
The following obituary was originally published by Legacy and can be found here. Born in Somerville, Massachusetts to Chester and Dorothy Hall, Frank was raised in Woburn and Wilmington and attended Wilmington High School. He attended Salem State College (now University) and earned a Bachelor of Science teaching degree with a Master in Education from Northeastern University to follow. […]
Rev. Donald Cunningham (’57)
The following obituary was originally published by California-Nevada Conference and can be found here. It is with deep sadness that we inform you that our brother Rev. Donald Cunningham, died on January 14, 2026. Don served the California-Nevada Conference pastoring at Cherry Valley UMC, Chowchilla UMC, Dairyland UMC, Woodside Road UMC, First UMC Church, Oakland, and Burlingame […]