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Promoted to Glory
Commissioner Stanley E. Ditmer was promoted to Glory on October 15, 2003 in Clearwater, Fla.
Stanley was born in Youngstown, Ohio to Salvation Army officer parents on November 6, 1924. After graduating from high school, he entered the United States Navy in 1943 and served for 36 months as a radio school instructor.
Upon discharge from the Navy, Commissioner attended Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. After completing his studies he entered The Salvation Army School for Officers’ Training and was commissioned in 1949 with the Peacemakers Session. He was also awarded a Bachelor of Science degree from Skidmore College and did graduate work at New York University and the Psychological Corporation of New York.
In February 1953 Commissioner married his first wife, Catherine. Together they served for many years in various appointments. He was appointed as territorial chief secretary in the Southern Territory in 1982. In 1985 he became the territorial commander of the Central Territory and in 1986 the territorial commander of the Eastern Territory. It was from the Eastern Territory he and Catherine retired in 1990.
Commissioner Ditmer wrote many musical compositions. A favorite is “I’m in His Hands,” written in 1956, which has been translated into more than 20 languages. He was a creative musician and had the ability to write both simple, instantly appealing songs and also developed works to challenge musicians. His songs came from a vast and rich experience of service and devotion to Christ.
A committal service was held at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. Commissioner Robert A. Watson conducted the service with Colonel Henry Gariepy speaking.
A memorial service will take place on November 23, 2003 at the Clearwater, Florida, Corps. The Chief of the Staff Commissioner Israel L. Gaither will be the speaker and Colonel Wallace C. Conrath will lead.
His first wife, Catherine, preceded him to Glory in 1991. He is survived by his wife, Anne; his sisters, Mrs. Lt. Colonel Jean Strain, Edith Frey and Eileen Fox; sons Philip, Major Stephen, and Timothy; daughter Julie Mulbarger; and eight grandchildren. Messages may be sent to Mrs. Commissioner Anne Ditmer, 2229 Americus Blvd. W1, #15, Clearwater, FL 33763-2516.
Lt. Colonel Gladys Bodine was promoted to Glory on October 26, 2003 from her home in Chula Vista, Calif.
Born June 17, 1934 to a Salvation Army family, Gladys moved throughout the Central Territory while growing up. In 1956 she earned a BA in Sociology from Seattle Pacific University.
In Seattle she met future husband, Bob, and they wed in 1957. Gladys completed some post-graduate work before she and Bob joined the Great Hearts Session of cadets in the Western Territory. After their 1960 commissioning, they were sent as corps officers to Laramie, Wyo. and Grand Junction, Colo. Following appointments included divisional social services secretary (in three divisions), and territorial social services secretary. They also administered The Salvation Army Psychiatric Treatment Facility for Children in Hawaii prior to their involvement in the ARC program. In 1971 they assumed their first ARC appointment in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Following this assignment, Gladys and Bob temporarily left their Army work to further their education. Gladys worked as a psychotherapist, having obtained her Masters of Social Work from the University of Southern California. By the time she and Bob resumed their officer duties, she had received other professional credentials: Academy of Certified Social Workers (A.C.S.W.) and Diplomat in Advanced Clinical Social Work (D.C.S.W.).
For 14 years the Bodines led the Fresno (1981), Oakland (1985) and San Diego (1987) ARCs. In 1995, they were assigned to the Central Territory’s ARC Command where Gladys served as territorial director of rehabilitation. Here she introduced a comprehensive six-month rehabilitation program for the territory, developed a program manual guideline, and defined high standards for the hiring of the professional staff in all ARCs. Her efforts have been bearing fruit ever since.
Gladys was a warm and humble woman who placed others before herself in the true spirit of Christ. She had a beautiful soprano voice that she offered for the glory of God.
Surviving Gladys are husband Bob, sons Greg and Jeff, 10 grandchildren, and brother David.
A celebration of life service was held at The Salvation Army San Diego Citadel with Comm. Harold Hinson officiating.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Lt. Colonel Robert Bodine, 1258 Lindsay Street, Chula Vista, CA 91913.
Brigadier William Mollet was promoted to Glory October 24 from his home in Honolulu, Hawaii. At 101, he was the oldest retired officer in the Western Territory.
Will was born Sept. 13, 1902 in Valance, France to Swiss Salvation Army officers who were missionaries to France. At age 10, he gave his heart to the Lord and began reading the Bible through each year—a practice he maintained his entire life.
In 1929 Will immigrated to the U.S., and in 1931 he entered training in San Francisco from the Salt Lake City, Utah, Corps. He was commissioned with the Fight It Through Session in 1932 and appointed to the training college staff.
He married a young staff officer, Captain Julia Gerlach in 1936 and their first joint appointment was to the Army’s Boys’ Home in Honolulu, Hawaii. Other appointments in Hawaii were as divisional cashier and bookkeeper and as corps officer in Hilo.
In 1942 the Mollets moved to Watsonville, Calif., where they served as corps officers for 10 years. They also served as corps officers in Chico, Ontario and Redlands, Calif. They retired from the Redlands Corps in 1967 and continued to live there.
Not wanting to retire, the Mollets continued their ministry in Redlands for one year and then Brigadier became the divisional auditor for the So. Calif. Division.
Always interested in fitness, Brigadier played tennis and volleyball and rode his bicycle. A year ago, when he could no longer ride his bicycle on the streets, he purchased a stationary bicycle and continued doing his exercises.
Brigadier William Mollet was preceded in death by wife Julia. He is survived by his four children: Mignonne Tinkham, Reverend Roger, Momi Welch, and Reverend Mark; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his brother, Com-mandant Samuel Mollet; and many nephews, nieces and cousins living in Switzerland, The Netherlands and France.
A service of remembrance will be held on Dec. 6 at the Redlands Corps with Lt. Colonel Herbert Wiseman officiating. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Momi M. Mollet, P.O. Box 15128, Honolulu, HI 96830.
Major Rex J. McCulley was promoted to Glory Oct. 21, 2003, from his home in Riverside, Calif.
Born July 21, 1933 in Dalton, Georgia, Rex became a soldier of The Salvation Army in 1950. After graduating from high school, he worked for the Army at the Atlanta Bellwood Boys’ Club. There, he met his future wife, Lt. Polly Combs, who was in charge of the girls’ club. They wed in 1953.
After serving for two years in the U.S. Army, Rex entered the School for Officer Training in San Francisco in 1956. He was commissioned a lieutenant with the Faithful Session in 1957 and appointed as corps officer to Laramie, Wyoming. The McCulleys served as corps officers in Sheridan, Butte and Billings, Montana; Ketchikan, Alas.; Roswell, New Mex.; Mesa, Ariz.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Fresno, Calif. and Colorado Springs. Prior to retiring they served as administrators for the Santa Cruz Silvercrest in Capitola, Calif.
The McCulleys retired in 1998 and moved to Riverside, Calif. After retirement, Rex continued his ministry as chaplain for the San Bernardino Adult Rehabilitation Center.
Rex was known for his commitment to God and The Salvation Army. Many would say his greatest ministry was his love of people and his willingness to listen.
Major McCulley is survived by his wife, Polly; three daughters, Patricia Keeley, Susan McCulley and Cathie McCulley; two grandsons and one granddaughter; a brother, Roy McCulley and sisters Jerrylene Bolding and Marie Crump.
A celebration of life service was held at The Salvation Army Riverside Corps with Major Joe Posillico officiating.
Cards of condolence may be sent to Mrs. Major Polly McCulley at 5390 Greenbrier Dr., Riverside, CA 92504.
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