Andrew Angel served the congregations of Perrysville, Pleasant Hill, Mt. Pleasant, Kirkpatrick, Claridon, Calvary, Pleasant Ridge, Tiro, Center and Fairview UMCs, was director of Town and Resource Program, and served as chaplain of two hospices during 35 years of ministry. Among many highlights of his ministry was how helpful he found the connection of The United Methodist Church in referring unchurched patients to local churches.
In retirement, Andrew and his wife Gail will live in Cambridge where he will continue to support her ministry and they will stay connected with family and friends.
Paula Archdeacon served Tiro, Freeport, Westchester, Mt. Carmel, Columbiana First, Hayesville, McZena Hope and Lakefork UMCs during 15 years of ministry. Highlights of her ministry include starting prayer groups at each new appointment she served, introducing Trunk or Treat at two churches and successfully merging two churches.
In retirement, Paula and her husband Carl will live in Newark where they are looking forward to quality family time and exploring areas of the State of Ohio that are new to them.
Terrie Baker served Branch, Park and Grace UMCs, was a mission outreach consultant for the Three Rivers District and served Baker’s IGA during 12 years of ministry. Highlights of her ministry include being a lifetime trainer for Bridges Out of Poverty, coordinating two Apostle Builds, being invested in mission ministry and serving as chair of the EOC Church and Society Committee and Deacon Registrar on the Board of Ministry.
In retirement, Terrie and her husband Gary will live in Coshocton where she hopes to continue in the local ministries in which she is already involved.
Harry Finkbone served Nova Community UMC during 13 years of ministry. Highlights of his ministry include offering and receiving love from the congregation and the community, celebrating 185 years of Methodist ministry at Nova, and “the development of children’s ministries and watching children grow from ‘babies’ to young adults who love Jesus and know they are loved by Jesus.”
In retirement, Harry and his wife May Ann will live in North Ridgeville.
Mickey Foster served Mesopotamia, West Bellaire, Neffs, Cambridge Faith, Damascus and New Philadelphia Broadway UMCs during 35 years of ministry. Highlights of his ministry include experiencing the presence of God in worship services, “leading souls to call on the name of the Lord for salvation and seeing people receive new revelations from the Holy Spirit at Bible studies.”
In retirement, Mickey and his wife Rebecca Sue will get more involved in the lives of their 10 grandchildren and other family members while he seeks the Lord for his next ministry focus.
Paul D. George served Sand Hill, Hartford, Steubenville Finley and Salem First UMCs during 43 years of ministry. The highlight of his ministry was “I got up each day. Put on a shirt and tie and went to work. It was an honor.”
In retirement he and his wife Joyce will live in Uniontown where he plans to “grow old, die, and see Jesus.”
Beverly Hall served Mt. Vernon Circuit, Coalburg, Marengo, Chapel Hill, Pleasant Hills, Caldwell UMCs and was appointed to attend Oxford Brookes University in England for two years during 31years of ministry. Highlights of her ministry include incorporating puppet and clown ministry during her entire career, as well as prison ministry and visiting in homes, hospitals and care centers.
In retirement she and her husband Jerry will live in North Carolina where she will write books, raise chickens, be a care center chaplin and visit her grandson in California.
Kenneth R. Kelley served Amity, Flushing/Bannock, Columbiana, Utica and Church Hill UMCs during 28 years of ministry. Highlights of his ministry include staring a new worship service at Bannock Church, a worship band at Utica, and a top shelf food pantryat Church Hill.
In retirement he and his wife Vicky will live in McDonald where he will take a small retirement appointment.
David Koch served Pleasant Grove and Tippecanoe UMCs during 21 years of ministry. Highlights of his ministry include having “been blessed to know many good and faithful people. I may have helped them, but the Lord has helped us all.”
In retirement, David plans to live in Freeport where he will work at an ice cream store and at Taylor Orchard picking apples in the fall.
Christine Nees served Lowellville/Marion Heights, Canton Calvary, Barberton Lakeview, Norton Living Hope, Brimfield Faith, Lake Brady UMCs and OPEN-M during 40 years of ministry. The highlight of her ministry “always has been being able to walk along side those who are disenfranchised and thrown away by our society.”
In retirement, Christine plans to live in Stow and work on her plans for how to spend her free time.
Dail Parrish served Otsego, Bethel and Prairie Chapel UMCs during 16 years of ministry. Highlights of his ministry include baptizing his grandson and connecting with both of the congregations that he served.
In retirement, Dail and his wife Marcia will live in New Concord and travel to spend time with family Boston and Albuquerque.
Jeffrey Proya served Franklin Square and Bell Chapel UMCs during 35 years of ministry. The highlights of his ministry include Bishop Boulton and his brother Robert preaching at the ground-breaking service for Bell Chapel UMC on Palm Sunday 1993 and serving with wonderfully gifted laity through the process of both building and utilizing the new church for creative ministry in the Ohio Valley.
In retirement, Jeffrey and his wife Kathy plan to live in Toronto, OH and “enjoy life.”
Harry Rinkes served Lower Salem Harriettsville, Pleasant Hill and Toronto First UMCs during 29 years of ministry. Highlights of his ministry include youth ministries, vacation Bible school, visiting parishioners at home and in hospitals and nursing homes, and Bible-centered preaching.
In retirement, Harry and his wife Susan plan to live in Toronto, OH where they will spend time with family and friends, do some traveling and attend sporting events and antique car shows.
Susan Ritts served Perry, Hope and Streetsboro UMCs during 12 years of ministry.
In retirement, she and her husband Mark will spend time with family and friends.
Benita Rollins served Youngstown Indianola, Canton Church of the Savior, Aldersgate and Delaware Asbury UMCs, was director of church and alumni relations at MTSO, served both the Youngstown District and the Tuscarawas District during two different appointments as superintendent during 39 years of ministry. Highlights of her ministry include the ministry of being a district superintendent, serving the local church, teaching Disciple I, II, III, and IV, and being elected a delegate from the East Ohio Conference to General Conference and Jurisdictional Conference.
Vernon Shepherd served Somerton Charge, Brecksville, Portage Faith, Lakeview Barberton, Otterbein Navarre, Madison Chapel, Brimfield, Sandyville/Asbury, Ohltown, Lakeside, and Canfield UMCs during his ministry. Highlights of that ministry include being honored to preside at memorial services of clergy colleagues, clergy covenant friends, and supportin youth in difficult situations.
In retirement, Vernon will live in Akron and learn what a weekend is and how to enjoy it all week long.
Christine Tobergte served Sandhill and Green Springs UMCs during 18 years of ministry, which she began after 30 years of being an elementary school teacher. Highlights of her ministry include “answering God’s call to lead His people as they grew in Him. It has been a joyful journey!”
In retirement, Christine will do “whatever God calls me to!”
David Vensel served Homeworth Mt. Carmel, Macksburg, Dexter City, Mary Reed Memorial, McConnelsville Grace, McKendree, Pisgah, Mt. Carmel and Cortland UMC during 36 years of ministry. Highlights of his ministry include answering the call as a second career pastor and “being introduced to people, places, conditions and their faiths that have enriched our lives, furthered our faith, and availed to us opportunities in ministry we would never have known.”
In retirement, David and his wife Rebecca will live in Cortland where they will tackle long-delayed-home improvements, spend time with children and grandchildren, and travel.