Obituaries
Rev. Dr. Kenneth O. Brown
(March 5, 1943 - June 29, 2009)
Kenneth O. Brown, Ph.D., 66, of South Pine Street, Hazleton, died early Monday at the Emergency Room of Hazleton General Hospital.
Born in Chicago, IL, a son of the late Kenneth and Betty (Bennett) Brown, he spent his early years in Delaware, OH and resided in Hazleton since 1989.
In 1966, Ken earned a Bachelor of Theology degree at Circleville Bible College in Circleville, OH. He continued his education and earned a Masters in Divinity degree at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY in 1976, and later, in 1988, was awarded a Ph.D. in Methodist Studies from Drew University in Madison, NJ.
Ken began preaching at age 18, and filled his first pastorate just one year later. He has actively served as pastor and Bible teacher since 1965 and has spoken at churches, camp meetings and conventions in over a dozen states.
He served three years as professor of Youth and Pastoral Ministries at Vennard College in University Park, Iowa, and served as adjunct professor at United Wesleyan College in Allentown.
Over the years, he has served as pastor of United Methodist parishes in Ohio, Indiana, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Dr. Brown was currently working as an independent researcher and writer. In 1977 he founded Holiness Archives, a publishing enterprise devoted to research of camp meetings, through which he authored and published 10 books.
As one of only a handful of nationally recognized authorities on camp meetings and the Holiness Movement, Ken regularly wrote articles for many religious periodicals.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Frank “Butch” Brown; and his ex-wife, Charlotte E. (Strouse) Brown, whom he cared for until her death in 2001.
Surviving are his fiancée, LuAnn Seasholtz Boock, with whom he shared 14 years; sons, Jonathan and Nathan Brown; 2 grandchildren; a brother, Joseph Brown; and niece, Dorothy and nephew, Joey Brown who were being cared for by Ken in his home.
No viewing or service is presently planned. However a memorial service is being considered for a future date.
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Sharon Geesman Ream
(January 18, 1943 - July 2, 2008)
Sharon J. Ream, 65, of San Luis Obispo passed away Wednesday morning, July 2, 2008, at French Hospital after a shockingly brief fight with cancer.
Sharon was born in Fairfield, Conn., in 1943 and raised in Delaware, Ohio. She attended Bowling Green State University and Ohio Wesleyan University before landing in San Diego in 1965. Moving to the Central Coast in 1972, she remained a San Luis Obispo resident the rest of her life.
Sharon enjoyed a career in cosmetology having owned the Grateful Head Hair Salon for several years. She enjoyed traveling, reading and was a devoted cat lover. As an active member in the San Luis Ski Club, Sharon made many dear friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Callie; son, Jud; daughter-in-law, Mandy; and grandson Grayden.
A small informal gathering will be held in her honor at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008, at the Avila Pier. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of San Luis Obispo.
Published in the San Luis Obispo Tribune on 7/9/2008
John Michael Casey
(May 2, 1943 - June 5, 2008)
John Michael Casey, 65, of Las Vegas, passed away Thursday, June 5, 2008. He was born May 2, 1943, in Delaware, Ohio, and was a 39 year resident of Nevada. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He first came to Las Vegas as a Marine assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, and fell in love with the town. After the Marines, he soon returned from Ohio in 1968 with a brand new wife and baby. "Casey," as he was known to many of his friends, worked as a bartender for 37 years, working at the Las Vegas Hilton, Circus Circus, and the Excalibur. He privately bartended for both Elvis and Liberace. Everyone he met walked away feeling like a best friend and VIP. His family was his top priority, and he followed his personal creed that, "we do as a family, or not at all." Casey is survived by his parents, Frederick and Marjorie Kidwell; wife, May; sons, Casino and Dominick; daughter, Lisa; brother, Lincoln; and seven grandchildren. His family is having a private service.