BELMONT — Benedictine Father Arthur J. Pendleton, a monk and priest of Belmont Abbey, passed over to the Lord on Friday evening, Feb. 21, 2020, at his home in the monastery.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at Mary Help of Christians Basilica. Burial will follow at Belmont Abbey cemetery.
He was born Jan. 24, 1930, in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of the late Arthur N. Pendleton and Mary Agnes Ryan Pendleton.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in textile chemistry and coloring from the Rhode Island School of Design, and a Master of Science in textile engineering from the Institute of Textile Technology in Charlottesville, Virginia. He pursued further studies in chemistry, earning a Master of Science from the University of Notre Dame and his doctorate from Clemson University.
After coming to the Carolinas to work in the textile industry, Father Arthur entered the monastery at Belmont Abbey in August 1958. He made his first profession of vows on Jan. 27, 1960, and was ordained a priest on June 4, 1964. In the monastery, Father Arthur served as prior under four different superiors, as well as administrator of the Abbey. He was much sought after as a confessor and spiritual director. At Belmont Abbey College, he was a professor in the Chemistry Department for 40 years, 15 of which he was the department chair.
Father Arthur was an exemplary monk, a holy priest, a demanding teacher with a passion for his subject and his students, and a respected and much-loved colleague and friend. He was a mentor to countless students who were drawn by his gentle smile and genuine goodness.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother John.
He is survived by the monks of Belmont Abbey, his sister and brother-in-law Judith and Harry Hoitink, his sister-in-law Jane Pendleton, and his nephews John Christopher Hoitink, Craig Michel Hoitink and Frederic Pieter Hoitink.
Memorial gifts may be made to Belmont Abbey College, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road, Belmont, N.C. 28012.
Condolence messages may be shared at www.McLeanFuneral.com.
McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
FLETCHER — Deacon Michael LeVon Stout, 75, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, from this life and is now in the presence of our Lord. He finished his fight with cancer peacefully in the afternoon surrounded by family.
The family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 7, at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, with visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. and recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, by Father Adrian Porras, pastor.
Deacon Mike, as he was better known by many, was born in South Bend, Indiana, on May 14, 1944, to the late Elmer and Mary Loma (Hannah) Stout. At the tender age of 9, he lost his mother also to cancer, and then a few years later his father remarried the former Nina Engel. He was a graduate of Central High School in South Bend. He met the love of his life, Cathie, and they were married in August 1965. He continued his education at Purdue University and majored in mechanical engineering – technology. Later, he went on to pursue a degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University-New Orleans.
He began his career working at Bendix in South Bend, moved on to Wheelabrator Frye in Mishawaka, and then transferred to Arden in June 1983 to work at Balcrank Products. While raising his family in the mountains of western North Carolina, he discovered a new passion for trout fishing and anything associated with being outside. He enjoyed his plants, gardening and helping others with anything they needed. He never met a stranger, always sharing a smile and a laugh that lit up any room.
He felt a calling to greater service in the Catholic Church and pursued his studies to become a permanent deacon. He was ordained as a permanent deacon on June 10, 2006, and served at St. Barnabas Church. His many areas of service included presiding at weddings, baptisms and funerals. Other areas of outreach included prison ministry, visiting the sick and mentoring other deacon candidates, along with countless other tasks.
In his 14 years of diaconate service, Deacon Mike took to heart his call to service. As a permanent deacon, Deacon Mike was a committed man whose faith was an example to others. He not only proclaimed the Gospel, but he lived the Gospel message and brought it to others with his wife Cathie always by his side.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ron; and his brother-in-law, Kenny Cole.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Cathie; daughter, Mary Swanson; son, Darren (and wife Heather); grandchildren Jilian, Katie and Trey; sisters Barb (and husband Marcel) Landuit, and Christine Cole; sisters-in-law, Joyce Schrader and Pat Luczynski; brother-in-law, Norman Michaels; and many other relatives including aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to: St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Barnabas Catholic Church, P.O. Box 39, Arden, NC 28704; or Bridge Foundation (formerly CarePartners Hospice), P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald