Memorials
.jpg?sfvrsn=e595f9b_1)
ACPE Retired Educator Dr. Steven Paul Corum
Sioux Falls, S.D. — Dr. Steven Paul Corum, a longtime chaplain educator, military chaplain, and clergy member who trained generations of hospital and military chaplains across the Upper Midwest, died on September 17, 2025, surrounded by his family due to advanced dementia at Dougherty Hospice House. He was 73.
Steven, known by most as Steve, was born February 10, 1952, in Sacramento, Calif., to Richard Ivan Corum Jr. and Jean Millicent (Wolf) Corum. He spent most of his childhood in Sacramento’s Greenhaven neighborhood, across Frank Seymour Park from his grandparents’ home. He was especially close to his grandmother Olivia and to his younger sister, Cindy, just fifteen months his junior. He delighted in the company of his Uncle Ray, Aunt Jo, and three cousins, Dave, Bob, and Lori. As a teenager, he delivered the afternoon edition of the Sacramento Bee in the neighborhood, using his earnings to buy his first car, a 1962 Opel Cadette.
Steven participated in Boy Scouts as a member of Troop 1, spending his summers at Camp Cody in the Sierra Nevada mountains and attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Steve played trumpet in the Kennedy High School marching band and in a German polka band, and he maintained a wide circle of band friends all his life. He graduated from Kennedy in 1969 at 17, having skipped fourth grade, and then attended Sacramento City College for two years. He then transferred to the University of California, Davis, where he earned degrees in History and Secondary Education in 1973.
After a brief stint teaching middle-school history—an experience he liked to say confirmed that the classroom was not his calling—Steve entered the North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, So. Dak., where he received a Master of Divinity degree.
He returned to Sacramento in 1978 as a youth pastor at First Baptist Church, where he met Jill Renée Poppe, a college student. He invited her out for a Coke—his beverage of choice. They enjoyed a year of courtship and married on August 11, 1979. They soon moved to Susanville, Calif., where Steve served as a pastor to First Baptist Church. The couple welcomed their first son, Sean Paul, in 1980. That same year Steve joined the U.S. Army Reserves as a second lieutenant chaplain officer, beginning a parallel career in the military that would span more than three decades.
Following the birth of their first daughter, Joylynn Renée, in 1984, the family moved to Terrell, Tex., where Steve became a chaplain at Terrell State Hospital—work that deepened his lifelong belief in compassionate spiritual care. There, he and Jill welcomed their second son, Scott Richard, in 1988. While raising a young family, he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Texas Christian University in 1991 and also completed accreditation as a supervisor in the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). Steve and Jill’s second daughter, Julianne Marie, came into the world in 1991 in New Hope, Tex. | Read complete obituary.
Services: A visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. C.T. on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home–Downtown, 507 South Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD
A memorial service will take place 12 p.m. C.T. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at First Baptist Church, 1401 South Covell Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, followed by a luncheon.
Interment with military honors will be held 2:30 p.m. P.T. on Friday, October 31, 2025 (arrival at 2 p.m.), at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA. A reception will follow at 4 p.m. P.T. at the Embassy Suites, 100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA.
Make an ACPE Foundation Gift in Dr. Steven Paul Corum's Memory
ACPE Retired Educator Rev. Dr. Urias H. Beverly
Rev. Dr. Urias Harrison Beverly was born on November 20, 1941, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Rosa and Roy Beverly, Sr. He was the son of a Baptist minister and the grandson of a former slave, a heritage that deeply influenced his life of faith and service.
He was a proud graduate of Crispus Attucks High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Indianapolis, a Master of Science in Counseling from Butler University, and both a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Christian Theological Seminary.
Rev. Dr. Beverly proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1959 until 1962, as a paratrooper. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the service, he returned home to begin his academic education and career.
Rev. Dr. Beverly faithfully served in ministry for decades, pastoring four congregations, including a United Methodist Church, a non-denominational church he founded, and an American Baptist Church, where he served as one of the first African American pastors in Livonia, Michigan. He also had the honor of receiving the key to the city of Livonia from former mayor Jack Kirksey in 2002. In addition to his parish ministry, he served as a hospital chaplain for 20 years and taught Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for more than 40 years. He also served nationally as President of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). Most recently, he was Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit.
He dedicated his life to teaching Clinical Pastoral Education across the globe — from nearby communities like Flint, Michigan, to distant continents such as Africa. His work touched the lives of spiritual leaders from diverse faiths and cultures, fostering understanding, compassion, and healing wherever he went.
An author as well as a pastor and educator, he published The Places You Go: Caring for Your Congregation from Monday to Saturday and Spiritual Alignment: From God to Eternity. Through his writing, teaching, and ministry, he touched countless lives with wisdom, compassion, and faith.
Urias and Billie met, married, and lovingly blended their families. Together, they were blessed with five children: Nia (Robert) of Tulsa, Dycus (Mykael) of Indianapolis, Nikki, CC, and Billiette of Redford. He also leaves behind twelve grandchildren Monique, Kaitlyn, David, Machelle, Aaliyah, Dylan, Jazmine, Jada (Javontae, Sr.), Jania, Jordan, Emir and Eli and nine great-grandchildren who were his pride and joy. Urias also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Airetta “Sunny”.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Vivian, Eunice, and Helen; and one brother, Roy Jr. He is survived by his brother Hosea (Monet), his sister, Alma, his wife Billie, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives, friends, colleagues, students, and parishioners.
Rev. Dr. Urias Harrison Beverly lived a life of faith, service, and love. His legacy will continue to live on in the many lives he touched.
A Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, 18700 James Couzens Highway, Detroit, Michigan 48235. Rev. Dr. Beverly’s family will receive visitors at Church on Tuesday from 10:00 am until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 am. Military Honors and Committal Service will follow at 2:30 pm at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, Michigan 48442. The family kindly requests any guests who would like to send flowers have them delivered on Tuesday morning to Hartford Memorial Baptist Church.
Make an ACPE Foundation Gift in Rev. Dr. Urias Beverly's Memory
Sr. Janet Ryan
Sr. Janet Ryan, IHM, age 82, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, surrounded by her IHM family in Monroe. Sister Janet celebrated her 60th IHM Jubilee in 2022, a calling for which she remained grateful throughout her life.
Janet Ann Ryan was born to Rita Marie (Cameron) and Martin James Ryan in Port Huron, Michigan, on March 21, 1943. Their loving family of Irish heritage included four children. Janet attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School and graduated from St. Stephen High School. In Sept. 1961, she entered Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monroe and received the religious name Sister Ann Rita. She received her bachelor’s degree in administration from Marygrove College in 1966 and her master’s degree in religious education from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, in 1973.
Sister Janet loved hospital ministry, which she started in 1976 as a chaplain and as an ACPE-certified supervisor. Sister Janet had experience as an educator, administrator and program planner in her positions as an elementary teacher, a religious education director and a pastoral minister. Janet was a true woman of the Gospel, professional, creative and a conscientious worker in everything she did.
In 2024, Sister Janet decided to relocate to the Motherhouse after retiring from pastoral ministry. Not one of idle hands, she learned the lay of the land, renewed and gained friendships, and busied herself as a member of several different committees. Only recently did she step away from her daily tasks when her health advised her to slow down. She did everything with a characteristic twinkle in her eye and a genuine kindness that inspired the many who knew her.
Sister Janet is survived by her siblings, brother Martin Ryan and her sister Barbara Thibodeau. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Gary Ryan.
Services will be held at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. Welcoming of the body begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Remembering and Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Streaming starts at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the St. Mary Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162-7909.
Jim Tonneson
Jim Tonneson's entire ministry career took place in the North Central Region. After Jim was graduated by Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, he served a three-point parish in McVille, North Dakota. He then entered clinical training in CPE and was first supervised at The United Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota, by Phil Olson. Jim later took CPE residencies at North Dakota State hospital with Al Sherve, and also took supervisory training with Al Sherve. He spent one year learning the art of CPE supervision from Clyde Burmeister at Rochester Methodist Hospital (Mayo Clinic) in Rochester, MN. Jim later developed an expertise in chemical dependency counseling and was certified as a CD counselor in the state of Minnesota. He worked for over 20 years at Fergus Falls state hospital, which had a large and successful chemical dependency focus. Jim became the director of chaplaincy services at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center, where he served in that capacity for over 20 years. He also became certified as a member of the Association of Mental Health Chaplains. In the early 1980's the state of Minnesota closed all their regional state hospitals with the proliferation of psychotropic medications. Jim and Carolyn moved down to the metropolitan Twin Cities area, where he worked at Unity Hospital in Fridley and Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids until his retirement. In his retirement Jim enjoyed his hobbies and family life, becoming an active member and a visiting pastor at Glorei Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. He was an active participant in the former North Central Region’s retired educator’s Community of Practice: Encore Careers CoP.
Jim will be dearly missed by his CPE peers, family and friends for his curiosity, love of learning, joy of colloquiality, and subtle sense of humor.
Reverend Dr. Amos Arthur "Art" Schmidt Jr.
The Rev. Dr. Amos Arthur Schmidt Jr. "Art", a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at 85 on March 8, 2025. Born in 1939 in Parma, Idaho, Art was the third of eight children in the family of Amos and Concordia
Schmidt. Raised in a faith-driven household, Art's early years were shaped by his father's ministry work in Washington and Oregon. The family later settled in Portland, Oregon.
Art's calling to the ministry led him to Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where he studied New Testament Theology and pastoral education. Ordained in 1965 in the Lutheran Church, he dedicated his career to helping those experiencing grief and suffering. Art worked in mission congregations, hospitals, and treatment centers, becoming a respected leader in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). He served as a CPE supervisor at Santa Monica Hospital, Washington State Prison for Women, and St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, where he worked for nearly 30 years, deeply impacting many lives.
Art's leadership extended nationally and internationally as he served in roles with the American Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), including President and Chair of the Ethics Commission. His commitment to ethical care and spiritual guidance earned him the respect of colleagues and students alike.
Art's family was his greatest joy. He was a loving husband to Margaret Ann, father to five children, and grandfather to seven. Together, they enjoyed gardening, hiking, and camping in the Pacific Northwest. Even after retiring in 2008, Art continued to offer guidance and served on various community boards, including Associated Ministries and the Pierce County Ethics Commission. Art was a patron of many small businesses in the Tacoma community and enjoyed getting to know his neighbors. His colleagues, students, and friends will remember his wisdom, kindness, and unconventional wit.
Art is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann; five children, Mark (Lori), Joel (Lisa), Maria (Michael) and their mother Phyllis Brandt, Rebecca (Jeremy), and Elizabeth; and seven grandchildren; Marcus and Myles, Elena, Clara, and Serena, Rachel and Ben. His legacy of love and care will endure through the many lives he touched in his well-lived life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:
Associated Ministries
901 S 13th St
Tacoma, WA 98405
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/AMDonationsSite
Please select Art's name from the memorial box.
Washington National Park Fund
PO Box 2128
Seattle, WA 98111-2128
https://wnpf.org/support-parks/ways-to-give/honor-memorial-gifts/
Memorial Service - Friday, April 25, 2025, at 2 pm
St. Mark’s by the Narrows
6730 N 17th Street
Tacoma, WA 98406
Make an ACPE Foundation Gift in Reverend Dr. Amos Arthur "Art" Schmidt Jr's Memory
Reverend Dr. Hallie Lawson Reeves
The Reverend Dr. Hallie Lawson Reeves, a woman of boundless wisdom, resilience, and faith, passed away on February 26, 2025, at the age of 89. Born in Durham, North Carolina, to Bishop Andrew William Lawson Sr. and Gracie Owens Lawson, she was one of four children, growing up alongside her older sister, Gladys Snowden; her younger brother, Andrew William Lawson Jr.; and her youngest sister, Martha Wanda Lawson DeBerry.
She is preceded in death by her father, Bishop Andrew William Lawson Sr; her mother, Mrs. Gracie Owens Lawson; her older sister, Gladys Snowden; and her younger brother, Andrew (Peter) Lawson Jr.
Dr. Reeves' formative years were shaped by a relentless pursuit of excellence, whether in her academic studies, deep involvement in church activities, or passion for music. Music was the heartbeat of her life. She began working as a private piano teacher at the age of 18. She served as the Church Musician and Director of Church Activities at her father’s church, Fisher Memorial United Holy Church, in Durham, North Carolina. In this role, she also directed the children’s choir, which she named 'The Buds of Promise. As a teacher in the Durham public school system, she shaped the musical journeys of countless children, dedicating long hours to instilling both technical skills and a love for the art of music. The musical foundation she established in Durham continues to thrive, as many of her former students have gone on to pursue careers in music, ministry, or both, carrying her legacy of excellence and devotion forward. She graduated from Hillside High School in Durham in 1953 and earned her degree in music from North Carolina Central University in 1958. In 1961, she married William Alphonzo Reeves, and to that union they were blessed with two daughters, Rona and Princess.
After expressing a strong desire to devote her life to Christian service and follow in the footsteps of her father, Dr. Reeves enrolled at Duke University’s School of Divinity in September 1975 and completed her studies there in September 1978.
In 1979, she left Durham, North Carolina, for Washington, D.C., where she remained until her passing. She embarked on a distinguished career as a chaplain, beginning her residency at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C., and later serving as Director of Chaplaincy Services at Provident Hospital in Baltimore. In 1983, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the National Theological Seminary.
In fulfillment of the United Methodist requirements for ordination, she enrolled in the United Methodist History and Doctrine program at Wesley Theological Seminary in January 1989. She was later ordained as an Elder by the Baltimore Conference of the United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Reeves made history as the fourth African American woman in the country to be certified as a Supervisor by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). Over the span of two decades, she served as Administrative Staff Chaplain and ACPE Supervisor at Saint Elizabeths Hospital, mentoring over 1,200 students—many of whom went on to establish ACPE centers worldwide, from Nigeria to Korea, and Guam to Alaska. Her influence as a mentor and educator extended across generations and continents, ensuring that her passion for chaplaincy and spiritual guidance would continue shaping lives long after her tenure.
In 1994, her love for music never wavered, and she reopened her private music studio in Waldorf, Maryland. She took great pride in enrolling her students in the National Piano Teachers Guild, offering them opportunities to showcase their talents and grow as musicians.
In 2005, she was called to serve as the pastor of two churches in Dunkirk, Maryland, while also working as a Chaplain Supervisor at Washington Hospital Center.
In 2008, she was recognized at the Racial Ethnic Multicultural (REM) Network Conference for her pioneering role in ACPE. Among her many honors, she was inducted into the Preacher’s Hall of Fame in 2021 in recognition of her decades of dedicated ministry.
Dr. Reeves' impact is immeasurable. She was, and will forever remain, a guiding light—a woman whose presence transformed lives, whose wisdom shaped future generations, and whose legacy will continue to inspire all those who were blessed to stand in her presence. She overcame numerous obstacles of racism, sexism, and other negative stereotypes to fulfill the call God placed on her life, living with purpose and meaning. Her life was a symphony of service, learning, laughter, and unwavering faith—one that will continue to resonate in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
She is survived by her beloved daughters, Rona Reeves Tankard (Perry) and Princes Reeves (Joseph); her sister, Wanda Lawson DeBerry; and ten cherished grandchildren, along with twenty-two great-grandchildren.
Funeral Arrangements for Rev. Dr. Hallie Lawson Reeves:
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Providence Fort United Methodist Church Fort Washington Rd., Fort Washington, Maryland
Viewing: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM
Monday, March 24, 2025
Peace Missionary Baptist Church Durham, NC Viewing: 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Memorial Service: 12:00 Noon
Interment at Beechwood Cemetery to follow
3300 Fayetteville Street Durham, NC 27707
Condolences can be sent to: Bishop Rona Tankard, P.O. Box 13265 Durham, NC 27709
Send flowers to the service of Reverend Dr. Hallie Lawson Reeves
Make an ACPE Foundation Gift in Rev. Dr. Hallie Lawson Reeves Memory
Mark Hart
Mark donated his body to the Texas State University Forensics Department. We will have a memorial service on March 15, 2-4 pm, at Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, Boerne, Texas. In lieu of flowers, to support Mark’s love of nature, we ask that you plant a tree in his memory through the website, a living tribute or make a donation to Cibolo Nature Center.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mark Evans Hart, please visit our floral store.