Cumberlite 2018 Spring

ALUMNI UPDATES
ALUMNI UPDATES
We love hearing from you!
Please send us updates about
educational accomplishments, new
career opportunities, professional
recognition, additions to your family,
whether through marriage or birth,
or any other news you’d like to
share. Just email Laura Dancek at
ldancek@gcasda.org.
Christine Bliven,
former staff, wife of
food service director,
Gerry Bliven, and one
of the long-time food
service supervisors in
our cafeteria, had been battling cancer
for the past year and a half. On March
20, 2018 she passed away. Gerry and
their family were with her at the time
of her passing. Gerry and Chris Bliven
have been married for 43 years. For over
30 years they have worked together
every day in our cafeteria, or cafeterias
at other Adventist academies.
Carol Hoffmann, former staff, passed
away on January 27, 2018. Carol served
as the GCA registrar and secretary to
the principal from 1976-1979. For 23
years, she volunteered with the Park
Ridge Hospital Auxiliary and was
involved in various ministries at Fletcher
Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was
preceded in death by her husband of
56 years, Raymond Hoffmann, former
staff. She is survived by daughters Linda
Connell and Janet Novak, as well as
three granddaughters and two greatgrandchildren.
Nevin Rice, former staff, passed away on
November 1, 2017 in Stevensville, Mich.
A celebration of life service was held at
the Berrien Springs Village Seventhday
Adventist Church on November
5, 2017. While serving at GCA from
1970-1974, Nevin was the registrar and
taught driver’s education and American
history. Nevin’s greatest love was for
Jesus and spending time with his church
family. Nevin is survived by his wife,
Lana; sons, Jefferson and Timothy; four
grandchildren, one great-grandchild
and many step grandchildren and step
great-grandchildren; and his brothers,
Lawrence Rice, Jr. and La Vern Rice.
William Voss, former staff, died on April
7, 2017. William was the GCA treasurer
and assistant principal from 1973-1977.
He later served as the assistant treasurer
for the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference,
where he was ordained to the ministry
and pastored two churches. He is survived
by Fay, his wife of 70 years; daughters
Linda Herman and Shirley Rumsey; six
grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Gloria (Lee) Barenie, ’68, retired from
nursing in January 2018. She resides in
Berrien Springs, Mich.
Sandy (Joiner) Coppage, ’68,
attended, is enjoying her 48 years of
marriage and her six grandchildren.
Andrea “Andi” (McGaha) Erwin,
’68, has been married 49 years, and has
two daughters and one granddaughter.
Andi is caring for her husband who has
suffered from Alzheimer’s for 14 years,
and is hopeful in the Lord’s soon return.
Brenda (Murray) Morris, ’68, retired
after 45 years of nursing as a teacher,
clinical researcher, and clinical specialist.
She keeps busy with volunteer work in
her retirement years.
Donald Robbins, ’68, has seven
grandchildren and is looking forward
to retiring and moving from Ill. to
Cleveland, Ohio to be near them.
Charles Lokas, ’73, is enjoying his
retirement from the Veterans Affairs
Medical Center after 25 years of service.
He now spends his time fishing and
with his granddaughter.
Warren Rood, ’73, is an art instructor
at a community college. Warren lives in
Walla Walla, Wash. and loves mentoring
and watching the growth in his students.
Warren has been married for 37 years
and has three adult sons.
Douglas Ellis, ’76, passed away Tuesday,
April 3, 2018. He is survived by his wife,
Jeanee; and daughters Caroline Ellis,
Lauren Collins, Natalie Davis, Kristen
Smith, and Mikaela Smith; as well as
four grandchildren and his brother,
Gene Ellis, ’69. His memorial service
was held on April 7 at the Chapel of
Parrott Funeral Home with B.J. Boles,
’87, officiating. Those wishing, may
sign the online guestbook at www.
parrottfuneralhome.com.
Chere’ (Bresee) Atherton, ’78, has
retired from nursing and started a new
career in trading. She loves camping
and riding her Gold Wing.
Linda (McCarthur) Norman, ’78, has
been an international flight attendant/
purser for American Airlines for 34
years. She has one daughter, Jerri, who
is a college freshman. Linda’s hobbies
are reading, traveling and volunteering
in her community.
Douglas Ellis, ’03, and Bridget
Childers, had a baby girl on April 5.
Stella Carly Grace Sheldon weighed 7
pounds, and was 19.5 inches long. They
live in Adairsville, Ga.
Tony Shadix, ’78, is living in
Ooltewah, Tenn. and is still married
to his childhood sweetheart, Bonnie
(Shelton) Shadix, ’80.
Debbie (Upton) Strawn, ’78, has a
daughter that was recently married,
and a son graduating from University
of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a B.S.
in mechanical engineering.
Lisa (Matyas) Paulauski, ’83, married
Dr. Gregory Paulauskis in 2013 and
moved to Woodstock, Ga. at Lake
Allatoona. They just returned from a
22 CUMBERLITE SPRING 2018
“The Lord lift up His countenance upon