Retiree Class of 2026

Carolyn Berry is an Elder in full connection who served Philadelphia/Evans Mills UMCs in North Central New York, and Union/Salem, Church of the Saviour, Portage Faith, Smithville, and Doylestown UMCs in East Ohio during 30 years of ministry.

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Mark Cannon is an Elder in full connection who served Norwalk First, LaGrange, Bucyrus Mt. Zion in East Ohio, and in extension ministry at Crossnore School/Children’s Home in the North Carolina Conference during 36 years of ministry.

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Robert Carson is a retired local pastor who served Brilliant, Bridgeport First, East Springfield Church of the Cross, West Lafayette/Canal Lewisville, Shadyside Lincoln Avenue, and Middlefield UMCs during 15 years of ministry.

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Karen Elliott is a part-time local pastor who served Londonderry and Morristown UMCs during nine years of ministry. She has been reappointed to serve Morristown in retirement.

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Cindy Figley is a part-time local pastor who served Negley UMC during 11 years of ministry. She has been reappointed to serve the church in retirement.

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L. Daniel Hawk is an Elder in full connection who served Ridgewood UMC before going into extension ministry first as assistant professor at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana and then as a professor at Ashland Theological Seminary during 47 years of ministry.

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Gary Jones is a retired Deacon in full connection who served as director of East Ohio Camps & Retreat Ministries and as director of Camps & Retreat Ministries for the Ohio Episcopal Area during 24 years of ministry.

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Joyce Lawson is an Elder in full connection who served Johnsonville Grace/Steam Corners, Youngtown Mahoning Avenue, Brookfield, and Chagrin Falls UMCs in East Ohio and Apollo United Presbyterian and Hubbard First Presbyterian Churches during 41 years of ministry.

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Kristen Patt is an Elder in full connection who served Warren First, Brook Park, Southington, Maple Heights, Garrettsville, Wooster Church of the Cross, Willoughby, North Mentor Centenary, and Perry Heights Trinity during 34 years of ministry.

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Rich Thewlis is an Elder in full connection who served East Canton Mt. Tabor, Bunker Hill, Garrettsville, Nelson, Windham, and Lakeside UMCs during 23 years of ministry.