Obituaries

Richard Edgar Amos, 90, of Brown County, Indiana, passed away on July 20, 2026.

Richard was born on November 4, 1935, in Richmond, Indiana, and grew up in Sweetwater, Texas. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1954 before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, in 1958.

Between college and seminary, Richard answered God’s call to missions by serving as a short-term missionary in Japan with One Mission Society. That experience would shape the course of his life and ministry. On December 26, 1962 he married Judith “Judy” Gillam in Wilmore, Kentucky, beginning a partnership in both marriage and ministry that would span more than six decades. He later earned his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1966 and was ordained as an elder in the Evangelical Methodist Church.

From 1967 until 2005, Richard and Judy faithfully served as missionaries with One Mission Society in Japan, ministering in Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Chiba. Their work touched countless lives through evangelism, discipleship, and church ministry. Even after returning to the United States in 2005, Richard’s heart remained in Japan. Through 2019, he and Judy returned each year for several months to encourage Japanese churches and to assist with relief efforts following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Richard will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his servant’s heart, and his lifelong commitment to sharing the Gospel. His ministry was not simply a career but a calling that guided every stage of his life.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy Amos; his daughters, Lark (Neil) Brenner and Laurel Mofield; his granddaughters, Naomi and Nora Mofield; his sister, Barbara (Amos) Clark; and six nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in passing by his parents, Robert E. Amos and Mary C. (Hubbard) Amos, and his half-sister, Joanne (Jenkins) Hobart.

Fred Doverspike passed away peacefully to enter the place his Lord Jesus Christ prepared for him August 4, 2026.

He was born December 17, 1939, to C.Reed Doverspike and Mabel (Shaffer) Doverspike. Fred graduated from Harmony High School. After graduation, he worked on farms, a car repair shop, Indiana County Soil Tester and the construction of Interstate 90.

Fred wasn’t a person who cared about recognition. He faithfully lovingly ministered in the local, district and conference of the United Methodist Church for 37 years. He served: The Lickingville, Mt Zion, Ashland and Emlenton Churches while attending and graduating from Clarion College. While going to Asbury Theological Seminary he served churches in Sugar Tree Ridge, Sonner’s Chapel and Fairfax in Ohio. After Seminary he returned to PA and served the McKean church while there he was a volunteer fireman. He served Johnstown Belmont while there he was on the Arbutus Manor board of directors. His last assignment was DuBois First Church. He attended Indiana Grace Church a Global Methodist congregation.

After retirement he trained horses. was an East Mahoning Township Supervisor and was a driver for the Amish community and enjoyed visiting neighbors. This gave him pleasure in what was to be his last days.

Fred and Connie toured the United States on motorcycle with their dear friends Wags and Nancy Gruver. Their children were treated to cross country trips in a trailer that Fred made and he later turned it into a camper. Fred attended Bethel Park Camp Meeting all his life and it was dear to his heart. His hobbies were model railroads, hunting and mowing his large yard. When in the hospital he was asked who the President was out of his weak voice came a strong Trump.

He is survived by those he loved dearly: his loving wife Connie with whom he shared 67 years. His daughter Pamela Jones, son William Troy, son Eric and wife Tammy and daughter Staci and husband Steve Lee. Grandchilden Caitlin Conroy, Darci Jones (Michael) Kirchner, Devon Gruver (Greg) Bowling, Eli (Katie) Gruver, Jares Doverspike, Kane Doverspike, Brittan Doverspike and Ana (Ben) Adams-Doverspike, Brandi Morgan, Ronald Bartlett, Bethany Bartlett (Rick) Langdon, Great grandchildren Willow and Sofia DiDomenico, Isaac and Venessa Kirchner, Kristi, Emily, Andrew James (AJ), and Danielle Mecuster. Teshin Tyre, Ashur and Yeshua Langdon. Also surviving are Fred’s sister Thelma (Dale) Bence, sister in law Wanda Doverspike and sister in law Jayne Cuddy-Clawson and her special friend Joe Pacconi and, our special friends Steve Gruver and his wife Elizabeth and nieces nephews and cousins.

Fred was preceded in death by are his daughter Terri Gruver, Son in law Brad Jones, Brother Leroy Doverspike, sister Arlene and Husband JohnVoris and sister Verla and husband Alan Shafer.

Erin R. (Reeve) Jones, 43, of Hollidaysburg, passed away Sunday at her residence after a brief illness. She was born in Altoona, daughter of Richard and E. Gale (Kurtz) Reeve.

She married Paul W. Jones in 2006.

Surviving are her husband of 20 years; her parents of Martinsburg; a daughter, Ada; and a son, Eliot, both of Hollidaysburg; a sister, Jennifer Bistline; aunts, Karen and LouAnn Kurtz; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Erin graduated from Central High School with high honors in 2000, earned a BA in pastoral ministries at Messiah College and earned her MA in Christian leadership at Asbury Theological Seminary. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from both colleges.

She previously worked at Church of God General Conference HQ, Wood County Humane Society, Levy Animal Clinic and currently served as Hospice Chaplain with Gentiva Hospice for nearly five years.

Erin was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

She enjoyed photography, swimming, hiking through nature, movies and music, reading, baking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Sandra “Sandy” McCloskey, 69, of Indianapolis, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on August 19, 2026.

Sandy loved Jesus with a passion, and that love shaped every part of her life. She devoted her life to serving Him and serving His people. Her faith was not simply something she believed; it was something she lived. She loved people deeply, cared for them faithfully, and spent her life pointing others toward the God she loved so much.

Sandy was born to John and Wilma Thrasher in Terre Haute, Indiana, and grew up alongside her siblings, Chuck and Cindy. Raised in a pastor’s home, Sandy answered her own call to ministry as a young woman. She graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1984 and devoted the decades that followed to serving the Church and loving God’s people. At the time of her passing, Sandy was serving at Even If Church in Indianapolis. Remarkably, she had served the same congregation, in the same building, for 34 years. Through seasons of change, joy, hardship, and growth, Sandy remained faithful to the people God had called her to love.

Sandy was a devoted wife and mother. She was married to her husband, George, for 43 years, and together they had three children, Bethany, Ashleigh, and Matt. But the McCloskey family rarely stopped at five. Sandy believed there was always room for at least one more. Throughout the years, she opened her home and her heart to anyone who needed love, a place to belong, or simply a family to call their own. Many came through the doors of the McCloskey home as friends and left knowing they were family.

Of all the things that could be said about Sandy, perhaps the most important is simply this: she loved Jesus. She gave her life to Him, trusted Him, served Him, and wanted everyone around her to know His love too. Her family grieves deeply because she was deeply loved, but they do not grieve without hope. The Jesus Sandy spent her life loving is the Jesus she is with now, and because of Him, Scripture gives us the assurance that this goodbye is not forever.