In Memoriam Gordon Higgins The Rev. Dr. Gordon Higgins, 86, of Spearfish, South Dakota, died on Thursday, June 24, 2021, surrounded by his family, after a years-long fight against cancer. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at United Church of Christ in Spearfish, with inurnment following in Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, South Dakota. Gordon Francis Higgins was born to Charles and Grace Higgins on April 23, 1935, in Harvard, Illinois. He was the youngest of seven brothers. After graduating high school in 1953, he joined the Air Force, serving in Korea during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return, Gordon earned his associate degree in 1962 from Kendall College in Evanston, Illinois. But he chanced upon a brochure on a library table for Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell, South Dakota. At DWU he met his future wife, Jeanne DeVries. During his time at Wesleyan, he fell in love with South Dakota. After graduating in 1964 with his bachelor of arts degree in philosophy, he traveled to 20 African countries as a tour guide before returning to marry Jeanne on Dec. 27, 1964. Gordon attended Garrett Theological Seminary at Evanston and Evangelical Theological Seminary in Naperville, Illinois, graduating with a master’s degree in divinity in 1970. He earned his doctorate in ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, in 1979. Gordon served as a student pastor at Methodist churches in South Dakota at Wakonda-Irene (1962-1964) and Watertown First-Florence-Henry (1965-1966). He was admitted on trial and ordained deacon by the South Dakota Conference in 1965. In 1970 he was ordained elder and admitted to full membership. He served United Methodist churches in South Dakota at Custer-Fall River Larger Parish (1970-1975), Tripp County Larger Parish (1975-1976), Winner-Conkicakse UPC-Mniska UPC (1976-1979), Pierre-Blunt (1979-1980), Pierre First (1980-1987), and Spearfish (1987-1995). He then served in North Dakota at Jamestown First from 1995 to 1997, when he retired. Gordon continued serving Dakotas Conference churches in retirement, including Hot Springs Federated, Wagner-Tyndall, and Murdo. He also served at Spearfish UCC from 2012 until his death. He was honored as Jubilee Clergy in 2012, for 50 years in ministry. Gordon traveled throughout his life, hosting trips to the Holy Lands and vacationing internationally with his wife and children. He visited 48 states and 65 countries. In the early 1980s, Gordon followed through on a life-long dream to become a private pilot. He flew search and rescue missions for the Civil Air Patrol from 1983 to 1997 and served as the Civil Air Patrol chaplain. He enjoyed hiking, woodworking, and cross-country skiing. Gordon is survived by his children, John and Keren; three grandchildren; and his brother Gerald. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne, on Nov. 21, 2015.
Dale Emery The Rev. Dale Emery, 84, died on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota. A memorial service was held Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Grand Forks. Burial was at Bellevue Cemetery in Larimore, North Dakota. Dale Robinson Emery was born on Dec. 2, 1936, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Arthur and Reba (Robinson) Emery. He graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1954. In 1956, Dale married Rebecca Hall. They divorced in 1979. Dale was licensed to preach in 1960 by the Missouri East Conference of The Methodist Church and served as a local pastor at churches in the area while he attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He earned his bachelor of science degree in secondary education and taught high school in southeast Missouri.
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