Life Events in the Church of God

Diane Appleton, recuperating from major knee surgery.

Brother in Kenya, severe kidney infection.

Jerry Ballinger, cancer.

Betty Halter, 2045 Hwy. 64E, Morrilton, AR 72110, recovering from a stroke.

Christopher Oroo, pastor in Kenya, hospitalized with ulcers. He recently lost his wife to breast cancer, his home was burned, has eight children to care for and hospital bills to pay.

Edward Allen Marshall, 74, of Gladewater, Texas, died July 7, 2007. He was born May 11, 1923, in Oakwood, Okla., to Isaac and Lola Marshall. Mr. Marshall was a veteran of the Air Force, serving during the Korean War. He was a retired teacher for Big Sandy Independent School District and a member of the Church of God. He was preceded in death by sister, Roxie Johnson. Survivors include his wife, Mary Marshall, Gladewater; son, Jonathan Marshall, Gladewater; and sister, Rose Marie Daw, Mobile, Ala.

Dionisio R. Velasco, 79, of Gladewater, Texas, died July 15, 2008. Mr. Velasco was born Feb. 11, 1929, in San Francisco, Calif., and lived for many years in Mexico. For many years he worked with the Spanish department of the Worldwide Church of God and, later, with the United Church of God as a freelance translator. Mr. Velasco is survived by his wife, Maria Velasco, Gladewater; sons Daniel Velasco, Cypress, Calif., and Dionisio Velasco, Alhambra, Calif.; daughters Emilia Velasco, Guadalajara, Mexico, and Araceli Mickes, Lancaster, Calif.; and six grandchildren: Danielle, Giovanni, Alejandra, McKenna, Amorita and Doak. Services were in Gladewater July 18 with Dave Havir officiating.

Cathy Wagner of Missouri, cathywagner345@aol.com, experiencing severe allergic reaction due to a medical test.

Nick Renna, friend of Rich Griffith, suffered a broken foot due to an automobile accident. The driver of the other vehicle was airlifted to a hospital in Boston.

R.O. Bailey, 180 Bailey Dr., Summiton, AL 35148, pancreatic cancer.

Mary Lois Bierman, 16101 Windham Dr., Little Rock, AR 72200, macular degeneration.

Susan M. Clopton, 49, of Dallas, Texas, died April 1, 2008. She was born Jan. 24, 1959, in Tyler to Edmund and Margaret Smith. She was a member of Pathway of Grace Church, Mesquite, Texas. Survivors include her husband, Carl Clopton; daughter, Larissa; brother, James Smith; and mother, Margaret Smith. Services for Mrs. Clopton were held at Restland Funeral Home, Dallas, with Pastor Bob Persky officiating.

Bob G. Seelig of Gilmer, Texas, passed away on June 6, 2007, at the age of 76. Mr. Seelig was born July 25, 1930, in Enid, Okla., to the late William V. Seelig and Stella L. Coventry Seelig. He had been a resident of Gilmer for 17 years, formerly living in Pasadena, Calif. He worked as an office manager. Mr. Seelig was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Landon Seelig. Survivors include two daughters and two grandchildren.

Charlie W. Hewitt, 75, of Avinger, Texas, died April 5, 2008. He was born July 27, 1932, to the late Pal Reeves and Thelma Smith Hewitt. He was a relief supervisor and welder for 28 years with Texas Eastman in Longview, Texas, and was a member of Grace Christian Fellowship Church (WCG). Survivors include his wife, Joyce Hewitt, Avinger; son, Gary Hewitt, Pearland, Texas; daughters Debbie Daniels, Baytown, and Rebekah Spencer, Avinger; sister, Marie Woods, Kilgore, Texas; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.