Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Cold Hope: WWII Vet Frozen to Death Leaves Estate to Hospital


Things aren't always what they seem.

In the blog entitled, Too Close for Comfort, which was posted last week (
here), we described the case of the 93-year-old, Bay City, Michigan veteran, who froze to death in his own home as a result of the disconnection (or "limiting") of his electrical service.

[As we noted, elements of the story were all too reminiscent of the treatment Marie had received in previous years at the hands of Southwest Baptist University, Missouri Baptist Convention, Empire District Electric Company and Bolivar City officials (see the end of the post
here). ]

CNN is reporting that Marvin Schur's story has now taken another odd twist:
(CNN) -- A 93-year-old World War II medic who froze to death last month in his Bay City, Michigan, home left his entire estate to a local hospital, an estate attorney told CNN Wednesday.

The temperature in Marvin Schur's home was 32 degrees when his body was found, a medical examiner said.

The temperature in Marvin Schur's home was 32 degrees when his body was found, a medical examiner said.

The attorney would not disclose the exact amount left behind by Martin Schur. But his nephew said his uncle indicated to family members two years ago that he had saved up more than a half-million dollars over the years. Schur and his wife, Marian, who died more than a year ago, did not have any children.

"I just know at one time he said he had over $600,000 in savings," said William Walworth. "That's what he told me and my brother, and he was proud that he was able to save and build his estate up to that."

Cathy Reder, an attorney negotiating on behalf of Bay Regional Medical Center and the Schur family, said she was filing paperwork in probate court Wednesday for the court to determine the validity of the will. A hearing has been set for March 17.

Reder would not specify the amount left to the hospital, other than to say it's more than $1.

"The will leaves everything to Bay Medical Center," she said.

The hospital had no immediate comment.

Walworth said his uncle was a frugal man who hadn't eaten at a restaurant for over 30 years. "He was very tight, and he was very frugal. But he did manage to save a lot of money."

He said it's possible his uncle's estate could be less than $600,000, but he believes it's still "sizable."

"Knowing my uncle, that's him," Walworth said. "He loved his community. He loved Bay City, Michigan."

He added, "Hopefully his death is not in vain and we can learn from this, and he's still able to save lives. ... He was a very unique, special person in my life. I'm proud of what he was able to do in his life."

He said he hopes his uncle's message will spur others to "look out for their neighbor."

Read the rest of this tragic story (here).

Servant-Leaders?: Unethical/Criminal Conduct to be Addressed at Southwest Baptist University Trustees Meeting on Feb 9 -10; MBC's Tolliver Invited

When faced with moral or ethical failure, what example should "servant-leaders" provide for Southwest Baptist University students, Missouri Baptists, the Church, and the community?

Marie is asking -- in writing -- that the unethical and/or criminal conduct of Southwest Baptist University's leadership's be addressed directly at Southwest Baptist University Trustees Meeting on February 9 -10.

The "new" Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director Dr. David Tolliver is also heartily invited to attend ... and answer these questions in person.

Details to be posted shortly.


UPDATED (Feb 4)! Judges Rule IN FAVOR of Windermere and Against the Missouri Baptist Convention

KANSAS CITY — A three-member panel of the Western District Court of Appeals has upheld a Cole County Circuit Court decision in favor of Windermere Baptist Conference Center’s right to amend its articles of incorporation in 2001 without the approval of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

Cole County Judge Richard Callahan in March 2008 granted Windermere’s motion for summary judgment, prompting the MBC’s appeal.

MBC cases against The Baptist Home, Missouri Baptist University, Missouri Baptist Foundation and Word&Way have not yet been decided.

Word&Way will soon post a fuller story on the latest decision.


See latest information from The Word and Way (here)
and more extensively (here)
.

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IN-DEPTH COVERAGE from The Springfield News Leader
(here).

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READ THE COURT'S DECISION
(here - pdf required).
(This link was borrowed from Brian Kaylor's insightful blog.)

~*~
Appeals court sides with Missouri Baptist conference center

By Vicki Brown (Associated Baptist Press)
Tuesday, 03 February 2009

February 4, 2009
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Appeals Court Affirms Trial Judge in Windermere Case

MBC Pathway,
the official journal of the Missouri Baptist Convention
February 4, 2009
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Appeals Court Rules Against Mo. Convention
EthicsDaily.com Staff

February 4, 2009
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WINDERMERE'S WEBSITE (HERE)

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