Broken Wand

Memorial LISTINGS For Deceased MemberS of The I.B.M.

 

23 Mar

16 Magicians Honored in April 2015 Broken Wand

Category: Broken Wand   Posted by: C. DENNIS SCHICK

BROKEN WAND -- APRIL 2015 

ANTON D. AXELSEN

Anton Dennis Axelsen, 76, of Auburn, California, died January 19, 2015, from complications of COPD and congestive heart failure. His I.B.M. member number was 44802, and he had been a member since 1989. He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians. Born in Palo Alto, California, he lived in Livermore for thirty years, where he raised his family. Upon retiring as a court reporter from the Alameda County Municipal Court, he and his wife moved to Auburn. In 1956, at the age of seventeen, he joined the U.S. Army following the Korean War. He played the piano, guitar, and banjo. He enjoyed running, sports, scuba diving, parachuting, target shooting, and flying model airplanes, in addition to his forty-year love of magic. He always had coins and a pack of cards with him. He performed magic and ventriloquism at many venues, from corporate and country club events, to private parties, schools, senior centers and even jails. He built many of his stage effects. He loved to go camping, where he would perform and teach children magic. He was a mentor to many young magicians. Survivors include his wife of forty-six years, Patti; three children and their families: son Aaron; daughters Debbie Lawson, and Laura Axelsen (who also is a magician); eleven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A Broken Wand Ceremony was held in his honor. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.

 

JOHN F. CHAPPELL

John Frederick Chappell, 75, of Carthage, North Carolina, died March 2, 2015 of pancreatic cancer. His I.B.M. number was 17886, and he had been a member since 2014. He was a member of Ring 199 (Raleigh, North Carolina). He earned several degrees, in physics, mathematics, philosophy, and theology, from Wake Forest University, Southeastern Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary. He developed a strong interest in the civil rights movement, and moved to Atlanta with his first wife, Laura, to focus on grass-roots activities of that movement. A dual interest was the arts, especially the theater. He began performing at the age of ten and participated in theater and performing the rest of his life. During the 1980s he was involved with the Lost Colony summer production, and inherited the one-man role of Mark Twain from the program’s creator, Hal Holbrook, and toured with the production for over forty years. He also performed throughout the country as Clarence Darrow, Charles Dickens, and Benjamin Franklin. He spent over two decades in Hollywood as an actor, appearing in movies like “10,” and “Brubaker,” and numerous television shows, such as “Simon and Simon.” Later he worked as a Thinkpad laptop technician, and then for sixteen years as a computer specialist, reporter, and columnist with his hometown newspaper, The Pilot. He performed magic throughout his life, and especially enjoyed mentoring young magicians. Traveling was another passion. Survivors include his wife of thirteen years, Patricia; son John; sister Mary Elizabeth (Bernie) Ragsdale; brother George; four grandchildren; and stepsons Stephen Cain and Patrick Owens.

 

ELBERT L. GARDNER 

Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters learned that Elbert L. Gardner, 80, of Bristol, Rhode Island, died August 18, 2014. His I.B.M. member number was 21605, and he had been a member since 1967. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 186 (New York Capital District). He earned degrees from Oswego State University in New York, and Penn State University, and served in Japan with the U.S. Navy. He worked for the New York State Department of Labor, retiring in 1989. In addition to magic, his passions were woodworking, photography, gardening, and gourmet cooking. He loved to make people laugh with his magic, including many effects he invented: Coin Can (a Miser’s Dream gimmick, written up in the April 2014 issue of The Linking Ring), Shogun Wallet, Hydrostatic Wine Glass, and Daffy Definitions. One of his best lectures was called the “Fresh Fish Lecture.” Survivors include his wife of fifty-eight years, Dorothy; daughter Susan (Alan) Payne; son Steven (Ann); and four grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871, or visit vnsri.org.

 

JOHN W. JENNINGS

John William Jennings, Jr., 66, of Lynchburg, Virginia, died February 16, 2015 after a long fight with cancer. One report said he died with a deck of cards in his hands. He held I.B.M. member number 23585 since 1970. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five year a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 222 (Roanoke, Virginia). He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians (Assembly thirty-two), serving as chapter president and other officers, including youth leader. He also was SAM State Deputy. Born in Norfolk, he served in the U.S. Navy, and was retired from the Lynchburg Fire Marshall’s Office and Bedford County as a Fire Investigator after forty years. With a fire background, he lectured magicians about how to use fire safely in their performances. Survivors include his wife of thirty-two years, Elizabeth; and son William (Holly). The local firefighters and magicians have established a fund to help the family: www.gofundme.com/johnjennings.

 

DOUGLAS R. KORNEGAY

Douglas Raymond Kornegay, 82, of Houston, Texas, died March 2, 2015. His I.B.M. number was12569, and he had been a member since 1951. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excalibur (sixty years a continuous member). He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians and the Texas Association of Magicians (TAOM). His enthusiasm for magic began at age seven when he received a magic set for his birthday. He became a regular at Howard’s Magic Shop in downtown Houston, and by the age of fifteen had given over five hundred public appearances. As a teenager he won a world championship yo-yo title at the 1949 Toronto Exposition, subsequently becoming a representative for the Duncan Yo-Yo Company and traveling throughout North, Central and South America. While serving in Special Services of the U.S. Army, he entertained the troops throughout the U.S. and Japan. He continued traveling and entertaining with his wife after he was discharged. He appeared on television shows such as The Steve Allen Show, the Today Show with Dave Garroway, and Super Circus. He ventured into other areas of entertainment too, including circuses, owning a small carnival, consulting for films, and promoting shopping mall openings. He even own his own movie theater in the 1970s. In recent years his love for the theater led to his working backstage throughout Houston, in virtually every theater in town. Survivors include his wife and performing partner, Donnie; daughter Diana (Michael) Davison; and daughter DeLona (Thomas) Cardone; and grandson Dylan Davison.

 

BERNARD S. LEVY 

The I.B.M. Headquarters recently learned that Bernard (Bernie) S. Levy, 87, of Binghamton, New York, died December 8, 2014. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1974-2003). He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 79 (Binghamton-Johnson City and Endicott, New York). He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, a Master’s from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He taught with passion and integrity. He became active in organizations and causes dedicated to civil rights and social advocacy for which he won the Civil Action Phoenix Award. He served many years as a Binghamton City Democratic Committeeman and was on the Housing Authority’s Board. He wrote frequently about his passions in newspapers and magazines, including for AARP magazine. He had special interests in music, biking and magic. In recent years he volunteered with the local hospice program. Survivors include his wife Beth; seven daughters: Laura (Doug) Swift, Michele Braco, Pam (Jon) Ludwig, Sara Levy, Jody Haley (Stephen Boeker), Rachel Reece (John Hyatt), and Kirsten (Bill) Marella; sons-in-law Mark Roth and Richard Braco; and their families; his twin brother, Ralph; and sister, Arline Cohn. Memorial donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders, 333 7th Ave., New York, NY 10001-5004.

 

MICHAEL G. LITTLEJOHN

Michael Gene Littlejohn, 59, of Duncan, South Carolina, died January 22, 2015. His I.B.M. number was 28187, and he had been a member since 1993. He was a member of Ring 63 (Greenville, South Carolina). He was employed by Circor. He was an avid golfer and private pilot. Two of his passions in life were magic and music, with a specialty in guitar. His latest project was singing in a gospel quartet named “Canaan’s Road.”  Survivors include his father, George; mother and stepfather, Betty (George) Hopkins; brother George; and a nephew Hunter, and his finance’, Angie Bowman. 

 

WILLIAM G. MACDOWALL

William G. MacDowall, 83, of Binghamton, New York and Phoenix, Arizona, died February 11, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 15321, and he had been a member since 1974. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 79 (Binghamton-Johnson City and Endicott). He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of the American Legion. He was a graduate of the State University of New York at Cortland, and received a Master’s Degree from Harpur College. He also was an American Indian expert as well as a hypnotist. Survivors include his son, Bill; grandchildren Colleen, Corinne, James, and Justin; and brother Mark. 

 

JAMES L. MANEY 

Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters learned that James Leo Maney died March 30, 2014. His I.B.M. number was 49263, and he had been a member since 1993. According to his membership form, he was a member of Ring 370 (Summerville, South Carolina), and Ring 50 (Washington, D.C.).

 

VIC ODIN

       Vic Odin, 76, of England, died February 8, 2015 from a heart attack; he also had lung cancer. He was known as a modern-day Houdini, specializing in daring and spectacular escapes (upside down in a straitjacket, hanging from a crane), primarily in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. He and his wife, Louise, were a famous act for over three decades. She died in 2007 after they had been together sixty years. In addition to his escapes, another popular shocker was his Bullet Catch -- a marked bullet in a rifle fired at him which he caught in his teeth. In a 2003 newspaper interview he told how he perfected the trick while on military duty in Southeast Asia. He also performed an illusion which made it appear he was hanging himself, to the gasp of audiences. He performed in a wide variety of venues -- on cruise ships, in circuses, and on television (“Opportunity Knocks,” among others), and elsewhere.

 

HARRY PARKHURST

Harry Parkhurst, 87, of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, died December 29, 2014. His I.B.M. number was 21676, and he had been a member since 1967. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians, Ring 106 (Parsippany, New Jersey), and Ring 113 (Bergen County, New Jersey). He was a supervisor at Hoffman LaRoche for forty-two years before retiring in 1989. He was a World War II veteran in the U.S. Navy. Survivors include his wife of sixty-one years, Kathleen; son Russell (Sharon); and granddaughter, Ashley. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

 

WOODROW W. PITTMAN JR. 

The I.B.M. Headquarters recently learned that Woodrow W. Pittman Jr., 54, of Los Angeles, California, died October 24, 2014 after a three-year battle with cancer. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1998-2005).

 

GEORGE E. REDMOND

George E. Redmond, 86, of Huntsville, Alabama, died December 31, 2014. His I.B.M. member number was 24007, and he had been a member since 1971. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 194 (Huntsville, Alabama), the Society of American Magicians, and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians (FCM). Born in Columbus, Ohio, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating high school. After a five-year stint, he earned a degree in electrical engineering from Franklin University in Columbus. In 1966 he and his family moved to Kingston, New York, where he began a twenty-four year career with I.B.M. in the Large Frame System Division, and later Quality Assurance. In 1960 George became interested in illustrating the gospel with objects, and became a member of the FCM. Subsequently, he developed many theme programs, such as Dental Health, Safety Drug Abuse, and Patriotic programs for Day Care, Elementary and Middle Schools. Survivors include his wife and assistant of sixty-two years, Dottie; and sons Neal and Keith and their families. 

 

THURMAN D. SMITH

The I.B.M. Headquarters recently learned that Thurman D. Smith, 75, of Dayton, Ohio, died October 30, 2014. He held the I.B.M. membership number 14612 since 1954. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excelsior (sixty years a continuous member). In addition to being a life-long magician, he was a model train enthusiast. He earned degrees from Capital University and the University of Dayton. He was a former Dayton police officer, and retired from the Montgomery County Health Department. Survivors include his wife of forty-eight years, Barbara; son Andrew and his fiance’ Kelly; daughter Jill (Shawn) Reese; sister Corryne Smith; and grandchildren Zachary, Corey, Adam and Gavin. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, 1661 Nicholas Road, Dayton, OH 45417, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202; or the American Heart Association. 

 

WARREN J. WELSH

Dr. Warren John Welsh, 80, of Richmond, Kentucky, died February 21, 2015. His I.B.M. membership number was 36329, and he had been a member since 1981. He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 198 (Lexington, Kentucky), and the Society of American Magicians. Born in Schenectady, New York, he entered the Conventual Franciscan Order in 1952, and was ordained a priest in 1962. He served as an assistant pastor in Minnesota before being transferred to Carney Seminary in Ohio. While working there he earned a doctorate in psychology from Bowling Green State University in 1973. In 1969 he was given permission to leave the priesthood, got married, and began a career as a prison psychologist, eventually in the Federal Prison System, in Kentucky and Michigan, retiring in 1994. He performed as a professional magician in central Kentucky. He won first place in both stage and close-up competitions at the Magifest in Columbus. He held the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, was a self-defense instructor in the prison system, and won Presidential Sports Awards in running, jogging, and karate. Survivors include his wife of forty-five years, Kathleen; children John and Leanne; brothers William, Robert, and Daniel; sisters Rose Marie and Virginia; and four grandchildren. A Broken Wand Ceremony was held in his honor. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care Plus, 208 Kidd Drive, Berea, KY 40403.

 

ALVIN L. WINKLER

Alvin L. Winkler, 97, of Oak Lawn, Illinois, died February 12, 2015. His I.B.M. membership number was 39431, and he had been a member since 1984. He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). Despite contracting polio at age sixteen, he graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology in three years, and spent his working career as a mechanical engineer in the steel industry. He held sixteen patents and took great pleasure in inventing. In addition to magic, he loved gardening, and swimming. Survivors include his wife of sixty-eight years, Sonia; daughter Linda, and long-time dedicated caretaker, Helen Chowaniec.

   

 


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