Davis, Robert W.
Robert W. Davis died February 24, 2009 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was born in Blackwater,
Missouri December 30, 1927. He graduated from Blackwater High School and Drury University and attended Eden
Theological Seminary. Robert served 11 United Methodist charges over his 39 years of ministry until his retirement in
1991. He was married to Sharon Hays Davis on October 5, 1953 in Springfield, Missouri. Sharon lives in Springfield.
Dillinger, Sidney
Sidney Clyde Dillinger was born in a sod house in Kansas July 3, 1912. He died October 18, 2008 in Mankato,
Kansas. Sidney was the middle child in a family of nine children. He graduated from Brewster, Kansas high
school, Kansas Wesleyan University and Garrett Institute. His first appointment was in the former Northwest
Kansas Conference. He was married to Eva Tedrow on June 30, 1934. Until Eva’s death in 1976, he served in the
Kansas West Conference and was known for youth ministry and preaching from horseback. Sidney transferred
to the Missouri West Conference in 1976 and married Hilda Bird on Christmas day of that year. He served
at Osceola, Lowry City, Sheldon and Bronaugh until his retirement in 1982. He later served the Flemington-
Weaubleau charge for ten years. He moved to Mankato, Kansas following Hilda’s death in 1997. There he married
Vesta McCammon Dillinger who lives in Mankato.
Firestone, Lyman
Rev. Dr. Lyman Challes Firestone passed away September 5, 2008 at the Ozarks Methodist Manor in Marionville,
Missouri. He was born May 4, 1915 in Fair Grove, Missouri, to Rev. and Mrs. O.S. Firestone. He graduated from
Marshfield high school, received a bachelor of arts from Central Methodist College and a Master of Divinity from
Vanderbilt University. He was ordained elder in 1942 and later received an honorary doctorate from Central
Methodist University. In June, 1941, he married Sarah Virginia Harrell. Rev. Firestone’s entire ministry was in
the Southwest Missouri/Missouri West Conference where he served Humansville, Corder, Malta Bend, Odessa,
Versailles, Mt. Washington (Independence), Clinton, Avondale (Kansas City North), and Monett. He also served
as superintendent of the Springfield District. He directed youth camps and served on a number of conference
and district boards and committees. He was a delegate to General Conference twice. He and Sarah retired to St.
Simon’s Island prior to returning to southwest Missouri.
Foster, Henry “Hank”
Rev. Henry Elvis “Hank” Foster was born June 18, 1933 in Kansas City, Kansas and departed this life September
15, 2008 at Cox Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri. Rev. Hank had served as pastor of churches in St. Clair,
Hematite, Victoria, Mapaville, Moberly, Bloomfield, Springfield and Van Buren, Missouri as well as Bremen,
Georgia. He was also the former branch manager at the Social Security office in Union, Missouri, retiring after 21
years of service. Rev. Hank was an active Rotarian, and served on various boards including being president of the
Van Buren Ministerial Alliance. He enjoyed working on his farm and tending cattle as well as Cardinal baseball,
auctions and especially time with his grandchildren. In October, 1950 he married Avis Hendrix. On April 28,
1976 he was united in marriage to Barbara Moger who now lives in Birch Tree, Missouri.
Haskell, Eldon R.
Eldon R. Haskell was born August 25, 1917 in Denver, Missouri and passed awayJuly 8, 2008 in St. Joseph,
Missouri. Mr. Haskell served in the United States Army and participated in the Battle of the Bulge during World
War II. On August 24, 1939, Eldon and Clarbel Howard were united in marriage in Cameron, Missouri. Eldon
taught in schools at Weatherby, Lafayette and Shannon City, Iowa and was superintendent of Shannon City as well
as Jamesport and Stewartsville, Missouri. After retiring from public school systems, Eldon went into ministry
in The United Methodist Church, serving at Breckenridge and Mooresville. He enjoyed fishing, flowers and
gardening.
the outwardly focused congregation
2009 Missouri Annual Conference E-27
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