In Memoriam

Martha Rogers Holman, ’47, Passes Away

Martha Rogers Holman, 95, passed away peacefully January 5, 2021, at the longtime Rogers family home on Church Street in bucolic Fayette. She was born Martha Leola Rogers in Jefferson City, Mo., on June 6, 1925, and spent most of her life in Fayette.

Central basketball games were a favorite pastime for Martha and her husband, Bill. They were locally famous for passing out lollipops to players at the conclusion of games. Bill died December 12, 2009.

Martha was the daughter of the late Daniel Carle “DC” and Emma (Dixon) Rogers. DC Rogers was an attorney, cattle rancher, and former mayor of Fayette. DC and Emma Rogers raised five children in Fayette: Dixon, Sarah, Martha, Dan, and Clyde. All five children went on to earn advanced college degrees. Dixon and Dan were West Point graduates. The Rogers household was a collection of formidable intellects, and Martha was no exception. She was especially proficient in music, math, and foreign languages.

Martha graduated from Central Methodist College in 1947. During her college years, she was homecoming queen, an honor student, and drum majorette of the marching band.

After a 1947 post-graduation tour of Europe, she married Robert J. “Bob” Bricker in Glendale, Calif. Bob was attending Occidental College, where he played football.

Throughout their marriage, Martha and Bob lived in Glendale; St. Joseph, Mo.; Port Isabel, Texas; Dallas, Texas; and Lake of the Forest, Kan. They had four children: John, Kathryn, Patricia, and Karl.

Martha and Bob divorced in 1970, and Martha began a new chapter in her life. She moved to Lawrence, Kan., home of the University of Kansas, where she became house mother for the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. During her time in Lawrence, Martha earned a master’s degree in mathematics at KU.

Martha became reacquainted with Lt. Colonel William “Bill” Holman in 1985. Bill and she had been friends many years ago when they were both students at Central in Fayette. They were married November 1, 1986. Bill and Martha made Fayette their home and traveled the world together. Martha became stepmother to Bill’s four children: David Holman, John Michael Holman, Steve Holman, and Carol Chafee.

Martha and Bill were very active in the Fayette community. Central always held a special place in their hearts as they funded three different Hall of Sponsors Scholarships. As a couple, they took part in the American Legion, FAHA, Main Street, and FayetteArmstrong Community Betterment, and served as docents for CMU’s Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art. As recently as 2017, the Bill and Martha Holman Collection was on display in the gallery, featuring 68 works from 17 different artists. Upon Martha’s death, the collection has been donated to the Gallery and portions are now on display in the current exhibit.

Survivors include her four children: Karl (Debbie) Bricker of Lenexa, Kan., John Bricker of Southport, Conn., Patricia Bricker of Kansas City, Mo., and Kathryn (Frank) D’Angelo of Zephyr Cove, Nev.; four stepchildren: David Holman, John Michael (Cynthia) Holman, Steve Holman, and Carol Chafee, all of Fayette; and numerous grandchildren, step grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with nieces and nephews.

The family wants to give special thanks to Martha’s niece, Becky York, for the love and support she provided Martha.

A celebration of Martha’s life is planned in Fayette on June 6, 2021, her 96th birthday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the William S. and Martha Rogers Holman Scholarship at Central Methodist University. Memorials may be sent to 411 Central Methodist Square, Fayette, MO 65248. Final arrangements are under the direction of Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service of Fayette.

CMU Loses Professor Jackie Anson

Beloved Researcher, Teacher of Psychology

Dr. Jacqueline Anson, a beloved new ideas led her to receiving master’s and member of the doctoral degrees in social Central Methodist psychology from the University faculty, passed University of Colorado and away suddenly at her home the University of Rochester, on November 22. Anson was respectively. 57 years old. Upon earning her

Anson, who joined the doctorate, Anson accepted CMU faculty in August of a position at Central, where 2012, was a committed and she would come to be passionate teacher who had a known and appreciated for positive impact on countless her honesty and openness students. As an associate in the classroom. She was professor of psychology, she also working to form a new worked tirelessly to help psychology research lab for each of her students reach students who shared her their full potential. Dr. Jaqueline Anson love of conducting research.

“Those who knew Jackie Anson is survived by her will remember her as a force of nature. Her husband of 31 years, Ned Anson; daughter authenticity and intellectual curiosity made Alison (Benjamin) Gregory of Boulder, Colo.; her a favorite in the classroom, as well as an her parents, Joseph and Janice (DeWerff) amazing friend. She will be deeply missed Fellin of Waterloo, Ill.; sister, Jody Garstang of by family, co-workers, friends, and former Waterloo, Ill.; and nephew, Logan Garstang of students,” said Carrie Strodtman, Anson’s Waterloo, Ill. close friend and the CMU director of digital A memorial service honoring the life of Dr. learning. Jackie Anson will be held at a later date.

Jacqueline Marie Anson was born January The family requests that memorial 12, 1963, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Joseph and contributions to be sent to Dr. Jacqueline M. Janice Fellin. She attended middle school in Anson Psychology Research Lab at CMU, in Fayette before graduating from high school in care of Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Illinois. Her love for learning and exploring Hwy. 5 & 240 N., Fayette, MO 65248.

1940s

Lois A. Williams Vanatta, ’42, of Palm Bay, Fla., died March 25, 2021. Wanda Groce Theriac, ’47, of Chesterfield, Mo., died Feb. 5, 2021. Eva L. Hensley Steger, ’47, of Urbana, Ill., died Oct. 27, 2020. John Richard Johnson, ’48, of Brookfield, Mo., died Oct. 30, 2020. Patricia N. Sasse Kirby, ’48, of Columbia, Mo., died Oct. 15, 2020. Helen L. Johnson Matkins, ’48, of Meadville, Mo., died Oct. 30, 2020. J. Bryan Weston, ’48, of Quincy, Ill., died Jan. 28, 2021. Barbara J. Gunn Bryan, ’49, of Platte City, Mo., died Jan. 30, 2021. Louis M. Guerrieri, ’49, of San Carlos, Calif., died Nov. 12, 2020.

1950s

Doris Torode Moulder, ’50, of Kansas City, Mo., died Dec. 13, 2020. Robert L. Sears, ’50, of Fennville, Mich., died Oct. 18, 2020. Carolyn N. Rhodes Chaney, ’51, of Florissant, Mo., died Dec. 16, 2020. Doris L. Hurst Franklin, ’51, of Saint Joseph, Mo., died Dec. 8, 2020. James Lanier Byrd III, ’52, of Charleston, Mo., died Oct. 9, 2020. James George Marcantonio, ’52, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Feb. 27, 2021. Patricia Owen Snowden, ’52, of Overland Park, Kan., died Nov. 28, 2020. Doris Wilkerson Viertel, ’52, of Boonville, Mo., died Oct. 31, 2020. Sammie F. Blakely, ’53, of Fayette, Mo., died Jan. 15, 2021. Cleo Robert Colville, ’53, of Amazonia, Mo., died Oct. 11, 2020. Peggy Gardner Daniels, ’53, of Mendon, Mo., died Jan. 11, 2021. Helen Virginia Held Griese, ’54, of Saint Charles, Mo., died Dec. 4, 2020. Jane Ash Belew, ’56, of Chesterfield, Mo., died March 4, 2021. William Eugene Borchardt, ’56, of North Mankato, Minn., died Jan. 3, 2021. Albert Owen Griese, ’56, of Saint Charles, Mo., died Nov. 26, 2020. Donald R. Sipes, ’56, of Green Bay, Wis., died Oct. 17, 2020. James L. Beckett, ’57, of Columbia, Mo., died Feb. 17, 2021. Charles M. Miller, ’57, of Greer, S.C., died Dec. 3, 2020.

Wayne C. Kidwell, ’58, of Saint Louis, Mo., died Nov. 2, 2020. Larry W. Sonner, ’58, of Johnston, Iowa, died Nov. 27, 2020. William F. Crigler, ’59, of Raton, N.M., died Dec. 26, 2020. Gale L. Lane, ’59, of Douglas, Wyo., died Jan. 21, 2021. David Mack Stewart, ’59, of Marble Hill, Mo., died Oct. 12, 2020. Jerry W. Watson, ’59, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Jan. 18, 2021.

1960s

Daniel Woods Deiter, ’62, of Columbia, Mo., died Nov. 17, 2020. Barbara Ann Shafer Michalski, ’63, of Bel Aire, Kan., died Nov. 23, 2020. Judith Lynn Hawkins Burge, ’64, of Sikeston, Mo., died Mar. 30, 2021. Leslie Ray Grimes, ’65, of O’Fallon, Mo., died Oct. 10, 2020. E. Christine Godfrey Keefer, ’66, of Saint Louis, Mo., died Dec. 23, 2020. Linda Davis Clark, ’68, of Jonesboro, Ark., died Dec. 12, 2020. Thomas Leo Fuemmeler, ’68, of Camdenton, Mo., died March 9, 2021. Jimmy Wayne Newsom, ’68, of Dalton, Mo., died Jan. 25, 2021.

1970s

Thomas W. Kimberlin, ’70, of Saint Louis, Mo., died Oct. 5, 2020. Jerry Trump, ’71, of Saint Charles, Mo., died Feb. 4, 2021. Levern Gaskins Jr., ’72, of Bridgeport, Conn., died Oct. 19, 2020. David L. Lohmeyer, ’73, of Covington, La., died Mar. 14, 2021. Steven L. Roedner, ’73, of Saint Louis, Mo., died Jan. 22, 2021. Steven L. Dunnegan, ’75, of Fenton, Mo., died Jan. 9, 2021. D. Thomas Arnold, ’79, of Columbia, Mo., died Nov. 5, 2020. David B. Goodwin, ’79, of Chillicothe, Mo., died Feb. 3, 2021. Michael J. Partise, ’79, of Glasgow, Mo., died Feb. 27, 2021.

1980s

Kathryn L. Frala Martin, ’80, of Columbia, Mo., died Feb. 21, 2021. Velda L. Davidson, ’81, of Moberly, Mo., died Nov. 30, 2020. Bernard King, ’82, of Columbia, Mo., died Dec. 23, 2020. Everett D. Johnson, ’86, of Saint Louis, Mo., died Oct. 30, 2020.

Dr. Joseph Swisher, ’56

Joseph Vincent Swisher, 88, of Brighton, Mich., died April 18, 2020. He was born January 12, 1932, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Joe Kenneth and Dorothy DeFonds Swisher. He graduated from Fredericktown, Mo. High School and Central Methodist College. He received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Missouri and was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship at Purdue University before becoming a professor of chemistry at the University of Detroit-Mercy, a position he held until retirement.

He married Mary Redfield and they had three children. The couple later divorced, and in 1983, he married Judith Muenze and moved to Brighton.

Survivors include his daughter, Catherine Victor, a son, William Swisher, five granddaughters, and a step-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith; a daughter, Margaret Dawson; and a brother, Carl Swisher.

Graveside services were private.

Earl W. Salmons Jr., ’87, of Columbia, Mo., died March 3, 2021. Catherine Irene Tolson, ’87, of Moberly, Mo., died March 1, 2021. Shannon Lea Hanks Platero, ’89, of Columbia, Mo., died Nov. 4, 2020.

1990s

Anton J. Gerke, ’92, of Brunswick, Mo., died Oct. 17, 2020. Jean Marie Taylor, ’95, of Washington, Mo., died Feb. 20, 2021. Michael Dale Newman, ’99, of Fayette, Mo., died Nov. 17, 2020. Ellen Anne Ralston Sherwood, ’92, of Higbee, Mo., died Nov. 7, 2020.

2010s

Glen Nelson Thurman, ’10, of Columbia, Mo., died Jan. 24, 2021.

CMU Friends, Former Faculty, Staff

Jerry Eugene Brown of Grantville, Kan., died Jan. 25, 2021. Richard Copeland of Glasgow, Mo., died Dec. 16, 2020. C. Bryon Gilbreath of Raymore, Mo., died Jan. 29, 2021. Treva S. Hall of Springfield, Mo., died Dec. 17, 2020. Major D. Hammett of Independence, Mo., died March 29, 2021. Renee Bertha Johnmeyer of Fayette, Mo., died Feb. 20, 2021. Merlin Kreutzer of Fayette, Mo., died Nov. 20, 2020. Julia M. Lay of Fayette, Mo., died Jan. 27, 2021. John R. Lewis of Lee’s Summit, Mo., died Oct. 17, 2020. Elizabeth Marchbank of Saint Louis, Mo., died Feb. 5, 2021. Dona M. Marlow of Pekin, Ill., died Nov. 19, 2020. Bonnie J. Moser of Franklin, Mo., died Nov. 4, 2020. Mary Pannier of Cape Girardeau, Mo., died Oct. 7, 2020. Valerie J. Penn of Chico, Calif., died March 27, 2021. James L. Smith of Independence, Mo., died Feb. 2, 2021.

New Employees Join CMU Team

Adam Bordoni - Housekeeping Supervisor The newest housekeeping supervisor in plant operations at Central Methodist University is Adam Bordoni, a Fayette resident with years of experience as a maintenance technician and coordinator.

Originally from Eolia, Mo., Bordoni graduated from Clopton High School before attending Westminster College in Fulton. After college, he worked various jobs in Columbia while living there, including his most recent postings at Missouri Employers Mutual and Missouri United Methodist Church.

Now living in Fayette with his family, Bordoni says he is excited to be supervising the custodial department and will bring a lot from his past experience.

In his free time, he says he enjoys “all outdoor activities no matter the weather,” as well as a good book and a game of chess.

Dakota Melkersman - Admissions Counselor Dakota Melkersman, ’13, is back for an encore at his alma mater. Melkersman was employed as an admissions counselor at Central for about three years from 2015 to 2018, but is now the new assistant director of admissions and transfer services, a role he is eager to have the opportunity to fill.

“I think the thing I’m most excited about is that recruiting is not only getting more challenging each year but the fact that we’re in the middle of a pandemic is making things a little bit tougher, which I see as an exciting challenge,” he said. “I’m super excited about finding unique and creative ways to go about showing people all that CMU has to offer.”

Outside of work, the Boonville resident says his hobbies include keeping his house clean and spending time with the two little boys he is in the process of adopting into his family. Chloe Cole - Admissions Counselor The beginning of the 202021 academic year didn’t start out quite the way Chloe Cole expected. She returned to campus in August and tested positive for COVID-19. Although she showed no symptoms, she continued to test positive in the following weeks and was not allowed back on campus. Now COVIDfree, Cole is back on campus, but in another capacity: as an employee. She serves as an admissions counselor.

“I’m excited to be back here and to help students get to have the experience that I had as a student, because it’s an awesome place,” said Cole.

As a former student ambassador, Cole has had prior involvement with the Admissions Department and is no stranger to campus tours. And as a member of Kappa Beta Gamma, she can also attest to Central’s student life experience, making her an ideal spokesperson for CMU’s recruiting efforts.

Aside from school and work, Cole says she enjoys spending time outside “adventuring” and hanging out with her family.

Jake Goslin - Admissions Counselor Jake Goslin joined Central Methodist University’s admissions staff as a counselor in November. After graduating from the University of Missouri, he returned to his high school alma mater, Lutheran St. Charles, and taught English and physical education and coached the wrestling team. After four years, he left to join an educational technology startup company, where his passion for helping students was further cultivated. There, he helped students find their best opportunity after high school.

“What I’m really excited about is being back in a role where I’m working with students again and helping them find a way to pursue their opportunities, and hopefully doing it in a way that’s cost effective and efficient for them,” he said.

Aside from his role as an admissions counselor, Goslin works with the Eagle men’s wrestling team as a volunteer coach alongside Head Coach Terrel Wilbourn. Outside his educational and coaching work, he runs a pair of small businesses and spends most of his downtime with his wife and two dogs.

Benjamin Batten - Technology Services Central Methodist University’s newest employee in the Technology Services office is Benjamin Batten, a selftaught computer support specialist who says he’s excited to begin his new job.

Since graduating from Linn High School in 2016, Batten has been working in various information technology roles, including as a security specialist for IBM. After that, he landed a role as the onsite IT coordinator for the Fayette School District.

Batten’s job at Central is similar to that experience, helping faculty, staff, and students with hardware and software problems as they come up.

“Working for any university is usually pretty exciting,” Batten said, adding that Central itself appears to be a working environment with a “homey” atmosphere, rather than a high-stress situation that IT positions can sometimes be.

Aside from his work life, Batten says he spends his time studying other sciences, including meteorology and physics, as well as engineering. He also describes himself as “kind of a foodie” and enjoys cooking in his spare time.

Destiny Stallo - CGES Academic Specialist Central Methodist University alumna Destiny Stallo, ’18, has been busy earning a master’s degree in forensic psychology from Liberty University and starting on

her doctoral work in philosophy and criminal justice, which she plans to complete by the summer of 2023.

But in the meantime, Stallo has returned to her alma mater to become the newest employee in the Registrar’s Office, taking over the role of CGES academic specialist.

“I’ve always loved CMU. It’s always been my second home,” said the former Pi Lambda Alpha president, who started her new job on December 7. “Being back is nice, because people already know you and you know that you’re going to love being on campus.”

In her new position, Stallo is responsible for the coordination of billing processes, monitoring student accounts, and providing backup to others in the office.

A Salisbury native, Stallo likes to spend her free time outdoors hunting, fishing, and playing with her four dogs on the family farm.

Alex Westhues - Assistant Coordinator of Student Life Central Methodist University’s Office of Student Development had a new assistant coordinator of student life this semester, Liberty, Mo., native Alex Westhues. Westhues, who began his new job at Central on January 4, came in ready and raring to get started with planning the best possible events for CMU students. With experience in scheduling and coordinating events for Moberly Parks and Recreation and with the Student Activities Council as a student at Northwest Missouri State University, he certainly has the skills and the passion necessary for the job.

As CMU students prepared to return to campus for the spring semester, Westhues said he was looking forward to planning events for them and, though they were limited under COVID-19 protocols, getting intramural sports up and running.

Aside from his work life, Westhues says he enjoys being active and spending time with his family in the area, including his fiancé.

Katie Bedsaul - Marketing Social Media Specialist Central Methodist University welcomed Katie Bedsaul to the Marketing Department as the institution’s social media specialist. Prior to coming to Central, Bedsaul worked at a marketing agency in Columbia, Mo., where she created digital advertisements and print designs while customizing logos and branding for businesses. She previously worked for the Jefferson City News Tribune.

Bedsaul is excited to dig in to her new role at CMU.

“I’m used to 400 projects going on at once,” she said. “I was constantly doing stuff—juggling everything at once. With social media, you have all of these different platforms, and you have to keep track of everything and follow a schedule, so I think I’m well-prepared for this,” she said.

As for her home life, she lives in Columbia with her boyfriend. The two of them love spending time outdoors “doing anything and everything.” She also enjoys spending time outside with her two “big, hairy dogs.”

Brandon Pierce - Bowling Coach Central Methodist University introduced its new men’s and women’s bowling coach in January, Brandon Pierce. Memory Lanes in Moberly will be CMU bowling’s new home when the program launches in the fall.

Pierce, of Moberly, is no stranger to Memory Lanes. He has been bowling there for more than 20 years.

“I’m on Cloud Nine,” Pierce said. “I’m very excited to be the CMU bowling coach. It’s a big challenge to start up a new program, and I’m up for it.”

Pierce has an extensive bowling resume and hits about 30 tournaments per year. Forty times in his career, he’s notched perfect 300 games. He also holds house records at Memory Lanes and at Glasgow Lanes.

“We are delighted to have Brandon join our team,” said Dr. Joe Parisi, vice president for enrollment management at CMU. “Not only does Brandon have the bowling skill and leadership abilities to run our program, but he’s got a ton of passion and will be a dynamite recruiter for our team.”

Tevin Riddle - Assistant Track Coach The Central Eagles track and field team welcomed a new assistant coach this spring, former NCAA Division II national qualifier Tevin Riddle. Riddle, who competed in sprints and jumps while attending Saint Joseph’s College and Malone University, joined the team on April 1 and got right to work helping the teams throughout the season.

Prior to joining the CMU coaching staff, Riddle worked as the graduate assistant coach at Olivet Nazarene University. There, he received a master’s degree in organizational leadership and coached numerous allconference athletes, conference champions, and national qualifiers.

“I want to pass on the knowledge that I have learned to the athletes, so that their passion grows just as mine has, leading them to be successful,” said Riddle. “I’m looking forward to helping athletes reach their full potential, helping them grow not only as athletes but as people.”

Kasey Fleming - Academic Advisor, Center for Learning and Teaching Eureka native Kasey Fleming joined the Central Methodist University Center for Learning and Teaching in April as the new academic advisor for incoming students.

After completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri, Fleming worked at the university as a transfer admissions coordinator, but prior to that work she spent time in the Academic Advising Office. There, she developed a passion for advising and realized she could make a career of it.

“I’ve known I wanted to be an advisor since my junior year of undergrad,” Fleming said. “I’m a people person, I like to talk to people, and that’s kind of what led me to wanting to do advising.”

In her new role, Fleming is already hard at work assisting students in registering for their fall classes, but down the road she is looking forward to getting more involved with welcoming the new class of freshmen to CMU.

“I’m excited to be their first professional advisor here and to get to meet with students and learn more about them and make sure that they feel comfortable and at home here,” she said.

Outside of work, Fleming lives in Columbia with her boyfriend and their two cats, Martha and Sully. She enjoys playing board games and video games, as well as watching TV and movies.