Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2026, Andrews University Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:38:00 +0000 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:38:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu Death of Rita Lynn Wright http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69403 <p> Rita Lynn (McKenzie) Wright, 62, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, passed away at home, on June 22, 2026. She was born on May 2, 1964, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and lived a life filled with love, kindness, faith and a spirit of adventure that touched everyone who knew her.</p> <p> Rita was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She is survived by her loving husband, Jamie Scott Wright, whom she married on October 28, 1983, in Frostburg, Maryland. Together they shared many years of marriage built on faith, commitment and devotion to family. She also leaves behind her two sons, Jamie Marcus Wright and his wife Shirlyn, and Jared Scott Wright, as well as her cherished grandchildren, Jordynn and Tori Wright, who brought great joy to her life.</p> <p> ...</p> <div> Rita worked as an assistant teacher at Andrews University Crayon Box, where her gentle nature and caring heart were a blessing to the children and families she served. She found meaning in helping others and in creating a warm and encouraging environment for those around her. Her work reflected the same patience and kindness that defined her life beyond the classroom.</div> <div>  </div> <div> A Christian, Rita lived her faith openly and sincerely. She loved sharing Jesus with others and sought to encourage those around her through her words and actions. Her faith was an important part of who she was, and it guided her through life with hope and strength.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <strong>A memorial service for Rita will be held on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m. at Village Seventh-day Adventist Church.</strong></div> <div>  </div> <div> Read wright's full obituary <a href="https://www.allredfuneralhome.com/obituaries/rita-wright?ttm_pid=211758567&ttm_affiliate=legacypro&ttm_affiliatetype=standard&ttm_campaign=legacy">here</a>.</div> Thu, 20 Aug 2026 16:25:39 +0000 Death of John B. Youngberg http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/70238 <p> John Blanchard Youngberg, Seventh-day Adventist minister and professor emeritus of religious education at Andrews University, passed away on Friday, August 14 after a short illness. He was born on August 9, 1932 in Redfield, South Dakota to Bertha Oss Youngberg and Alfred G. Youngberg.</p> <p> John was part of large, interconnected and extended family of Adventist workers known around the world for their careers in ministry, mission work, medicine, and education.</p> <p> John was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church on October 6, 1945, at the age of 13, and attended high school at Union Springs Academy in New York, and La Sierra Academy in California. He received a BA degree in religion from La Sierra College (now University) in 1953, a MA in systematic theology from Andrews University in 1962 and a MA in education from Andrews in 1971. In 1974 he received a doctor of education degree in educational leadership from Western Michigan University.</p> <p> John’s professional life included two years of pastoring in the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists immediately following graduation from college. Then followed 16 years of mission service (1955 to 1971) in a variety of teaching and church administrative roles Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia, including as president of the Bolivia Training School. He was ordained to the ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church at Puiggari, Argentia on January 11, 1958.</p> <p> After completing his doctoral degree, John began teaching at Andrews University in 1974, and was active in that role as an honored professor for three decades.</p> <p> He married Bonnie Brown Youngberg in 1953 and she was the mother of their two sons John Nielan Youngberg and Wesley Scott Youngberg.  Bonnie passed away April 15, 1971. Youngberg married Millie Urbish Youngberg later that same year. Millie, Ed.D, was a professor of teacher education at Andrews. Together, John and Millie developed a specialization in family life ministries and education, writing books and traveling to many countries around the world, inspiring pastors and church members about how to raise families to love each other and to follow Jesus. For this work and their many years of teaching at Andrews, they were awarded the John Nevins Andrews Medallion for the Advancement of Knowledge in 1999. They were also deeply appreciated for the vibrant community prayer ministry they operated out of their home for many years. Millie passed away in 2018. John married Beverly Boyson in 2019 and she has been a devoted wife and caregiver for the last years of John’s life.</p> <p> John was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Bertha Youngberg; by his five siblings: Stephen Youngberg, Margaret Youngberg Horsley, Russell Youngberg, Olive Youngberg Hoogenboom, and Gorden Youngberg; by his first wife Bonnie Youngberg; and by his second wife Millie Youngberg.</p> <p> He is survived by his wife Beverly Youngberg and her children Tina Boyson and Marc Boyson; by his sons John (Ivette) Youngberg of Ooltewah, Tennessee, and Wesley (Betsy) Youngberg of Temeculah, California; by his grandchildren Jey Youngberg, Paul Youngberg, Dakota Youngberg, Madison Youngberg Sequeira, and Katie Youngberg; and by a very large clan of admiring cousins, nieces and nephews and their generations around the world.</p> <p> Service arrangements are being handled by Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs. A private burial in Rose Hill Cemetery will take place on Friday, August 21. Public visitation with the family will be on Saturday, August 22 at 4:30 p.m., immediately followed by a memorial service at 5:30 p.m., both at Pioneer Memorial Church, where John was an active and faithful member for 54 years.</p> <p> Read Youngberg's full obituary <a href="https://www.allredfuneralhome.com/obituaries/john-youngberg" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:56:47 +0000 Death of Luis Amador Morales http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69576 <p> The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cuba and its members across the island are mourning the sudden death of Luis Amador Morales, a respected pastor, educator, seminary administrator, and advocate for Adventist media whose ministry helped train pastors and advance the church’s vision for radio in Cuba.</p> <p> Amador died Aug. 4 in Michigan, where he had been serving at Andrews University since 2024. He was 51.</p> <div> According to his family, Amador suffered a stroke and went into cardiac arrest on Sabbath, Aug. 1, as he was getting into his car to return home with his family after worship. Doctors later determined that he had experienced a total loss of brain function. He died three days later.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Dozens of church members gathered Aug. 7 at the Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in Santa Clara, his hometown, for a service of gratitude celebrating his life. His parents, Nancy Morales and Luis Amador Ferreiro, and his younger brother, Liusbel Amador, were among those present.</div> <div>  </div> <div> “Our hearts are deeply moved,” said Pastor Aldo Joel Pérez, president of the Cuba Union. “This is one of those sorrowful moments when we cannot find words in our limited human language to bring comfort to this dear family.”</div> <div>  </div> <div> Pérez described Amador as one of the most brilliant leaders to serve the Cuba Union—a gentleman, trusted friend, devoted pastor, and selfless worker wholly committed to the cause of God.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Read Amador's full obituary <a href="https://interamerica.org/2026/08/cuban-adventists-mourn-sudden-death-of-respected-pastor-and-seminary-educator/">here</a>. </div> Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:10:23 +0000 Death of W. Bruce Zimmerman http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69569 <p> Walter Bruce Zimmerman, known to family and friends as Bruce, was born on November 27, 1933, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and passed away on August 4, 2026, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, at the age of 92. He died of natural causes and was a devoted Christian whose life reflected faith, kindness, intelligence, and practical skill. Bruce was born to the late Walter E. and Tessa Ann (Mayer) Zimmerman, and he lived a life marked by steadfast love for his family, a deep commitment to learning, and a generous spirit of service to others.</p> <p> Bruce grew up with the values of hard work, responsibility, and faith that would shape the course of his life. He was a man who loved knowledge and pursued it with diligence and purpose. His higher academic journey started at Andrews University where he graduated in 1955 with a BS in Physics and finished at Michigan State University where he earned his PhD in Physics in 1960, an achievement that reflected both his discipline and his lifelong curiosity. Bruce did not keep his learning to himself, but shared it freely with others, believing that education was a gift meant to be used in service to God and neighbor.</p> <p> On June 12, 1955, Bruce wed the love of his life, Judith “Judy” D. Hill, in Lansing, Michigan. Their marriage was a beautiful example of devotion, partnership, and enduring love. Together they built a life filled with faith, family, and shared adventures. Judy preceded him in death in 2025, and Bruce cared for her for over 10 years when she could no longer care for herself, taking her to church every week. He was also preceded in death by his parents and by a daughter, Londa Sweezey, whose absence he felt deeply throughout his later years.</p> <p> Bruce devoted many years to teaching and mentoring others. He was a professor of physics at Andrews University for six years and then served for twenty-eight years at Indiana University South Bend. In the classroom, he was known not only for his knowledge of physics, but also for his patience, encouragement, and ability to help students see both the beauty and order of God’s creation. His influence extended far beyond lectures and assignments, as he helped shape the minds and character of countless students over the years.</p> <p> Faith was central to Bruce’s life, and he was a faithful member of Pioneer Memorial Church for over 60 years. He served there in a variety of capacities including deacon and helping with the public address system. His service was quiet, dependable, and sincere, reflecting a humble heart that sought to bless others without seeking recognition.</p> <p> Read Zimmerman's full obituary <a href="https://www.allredfuneralhome.com/obituaries/walter-zimmerman?fbclid=IwY2xjawTgiSFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEegQWr9T9O58jc8dXdl45s5obSyE2UHLoxvKOcC90-rr6u9ARE2HNe8Ero4Lg_aem__9tX2x1-ualmv5_-eCZXaQ">here</a>. </p> Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:25:58 +0000 Death of Frieda Lee-Blanchard http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69524 <p> Frieda Lee-Blanchard, 99, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026, leaving a legacy of Christian faith, dedicated service and a lifelong commitment to educating children.</p> <p> Born on Feb. 15, 1927, in North St. Paul, Minnesota, during a blizzard, Frieda grew up on her family's dairy farm in Gleason, Wisconsin. While attending Bethel Academy, she felt God's calling to become a teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Education degree from the State Teachers College at Stevens Point and received a lifetime Wisconsin teaching certificate.</p> <p> During a 43-year teaching career, Frieda served in both public schools and Seventh-day Adventist schools. She taught in one-room country schools, the Rhinelander and Madison Seventh-day Adventist Schools, and spent 25 years at Ruth Murdoch Elementary School on the campus of Andrews University. She touched the lives of countless students through her kindness, faith and dedication.</p> <p> Read Lee-Blanchard's full obituary <a href="https://www.merrillfotonews.com/stories/frieda-lee-blanchard,347721">here</a>. </p> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:09:34 +0000 Death of Richard Clayton Sowler http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69455 <p> Richard Clayton Sowler, born on Jan. 26, 1935, in Baraboo, Wisconsin, in a small hospital that had previously been the home of a member of the Ringling family of Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus fame. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ardis Abigail (Goodspeed) Sowler, George Clayton Sowler, and by his brother- in-law, Conrad Wallington. He is survived by his wife of 31+ years, Claudia (Wallington) Sowler, his step-son, Steven Andrews, sister-in-law, Denise (Wallington) Collard, and brother-in-law, Bill Collard; five step-nephews, one step-grandniece, and one step-granddaughter.</p> <p> In the summer of 1966, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering physics with a minor in mathematics. In June of 1971 he became the electronics shop supervisor at Andrews University’s Plant Service Department until his retirement on Jan. 1, 2003.</p> <p> Dick’s many interests included Ham Radio—W8FEM (Extra Class License), all things electronic, trombone and bird watching.</p> <p> A faithful Christian, Dick was a long-time member of the Pioneer Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church, and for several years he used his expertise in electronics to assist with the church’s sound system.</p> <p> Dick will be remembered as a kind, intelligent and faithful man whose life touched others in meaningful ways. His family and friends will cherish the many memories of his steadfast devotion to those he loved. Dick and Claudia often talked of Jesus' soon return and how they were looking forward to that day!</p> <p> In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Strong Tower Radio and/or Your Story Hour.</p> <p> Arrangements have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs. A memorial service will be held on Aug. 8, 2026, at Pioneer Memorial Church in Berrien Springs at 4 p.m.</p> <p> Read Sowler's full obituary <a href="https://www.allredfuneralhome.com/obituaries/richard-sowler?ttm_pid=211818013&ttm_affiliate=legacypro&ttm_affiliatetype=standard&ttm_campaign=legacy">here</a>.</p> Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:53:01 +0000 Memorial Service for Sherry Shepherd http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69414 <p> Sherry Shepherd, MD, wife of Tom Shepherd, PhD, passed to her rest in the Lord Jesus on Tuesday, July 7. The memorial service celebration of Sherry's life will be at the Seminary Chapel, Andrews University, on Sunday, July 12, at 4 p.m., followed by light refreshments in the Seminary Commons after the service. All are welcome.</p> Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:25:02 +0000 Death of Ione Markel Richardson http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69370 <p> 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>. </p> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:08:50 +0000