Norma Marsh Sheffield ’49
12/04/1928 - 05/23/2025
Norma Marsh Sheffield ’49 of White House, Tenn., passed away May 23, 2025. She was born Dec. 4, 1928, to Victor & Lydia Marsh. She was a member of White House Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she taught Bible studies and served as editor of the church newspaper. She also played piano and organ at Nashville First Seventh-day Adventist Church when she was younger. She enjoyed vegetable gardening and drew beautiful chalk art paintings. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert Joseph Sheffield; stepsons, David Sheffield and Joe Sheffield; and brother, Harold Marsh. She is survived by her step-daughter-in-law, Lucille Sheffield; two granddaughters, Donna (Chris) Miller, and Sandi Hughes; six great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Joan Sharp Bissell ’51
12/25/1928 - 07/01/2025
Joan Sharp Bissell ’51 was born on Dec 25, 1928, and died on July 1, 2025. Joan was born into the big family of Grover and Esther English Sharp on Christmas Day, at their home in Beemer, Neb. As the seventh of eight children–and the youngest daughter–Joan spent her happy childhood immersed in the dynamic life of the family farm. Thanks to her vibrant and social spirit, Joan thrived in high school and participated in theater productions, played piano at the family’s Methodist church, roller skated, and worked as a soda jerk at the local drugstore. Determined to pursue higher education and despite familial resistance, Joan–with the help of her older sister Mary–convinced her father to let her attend college so long as she lived with her sister. She became the first daughter in her family to attend college and receive a college education. Joan began her studies at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE. During a summer trip to Yellowstone National Park after her first year of college, the Sharp family encountered a Seventh-day Adventist, a meeting that led many in the family to convert. Joan then transferred to Union College, where she met the love of her life, Gordon Bissell (’56). They married in 1951, the day after Joan graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. In 1964, Joan began her 30-year teaching career at the Washington State School for the Deaf in Vancouver, WA, balancing full-time work with raising her eight children. She also earned a master’s degree in Special Education from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. After retiring in 2006, Joan and Gordon relocated to Walla Walla, WA, to be closer to several of their children. She is survived by her eight children and their families: Lee and Janet Bissell; Lewis and Conni Bissell; Linda and Tom Hickerson; Laurie and Lou Roosma; Lisa and Bob Paulson; Larry Bissell; Lavonne Bissell and Lou Urrutia; Lafe and Rebecca Bissell; 16 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gordon Bissell (2017), and all seven of her siblings.
Lois Michalec Prior (’50)
01/22/1930 - 08/04/2025
Lois Michalec Prior (’50) was born on Jan. 22, 1930 in Cedar Rapids, IA, and died on Aug. 4, 2025 in Loma Linda, CA. She is survived by Gary Prior, Cindy Prior; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Violet Boyko Zapara (’44)
04/21/1926 - 10/22/2025
Violet Boyko Zapara (’44) known to her family as “Vi,” died on Oct. 22, 2025. She was 99 years old. Her husband, Tom, had preceded her in death on June 16, 2024. Both were visionary, loyal, and generous supporters of Seventh-day Adventist education. Vi was born on Apr. 21, 1926, near Max, North Dakota to Ukrainian immigrant parents. Determined to become a teacher, she did not allow adversity—including the early death of her father—impede her preparation for this life mission. After her graduation, she married Tom Zapara, a fellow Ukrainian. They spent their lifetime as philanthropists: they sought to honor God with the assets with which divine providence had blessed them. Vi is survived by her daughters, Shelley (Jere) Fox and Cindy Zapara; her grandchildren; and her great grandchildren. An incredible friend and a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she will be greatly missed by the many people with whom she was deeply and warmly connected. Her contributions to humanity will only be fully acknowledged in heaven.