Jan Crouch obit

Jan Crouch, co-founder of TBN, dies at 78

She was not on the list. 

Jan Crouch, a co-founder of Trinity Broadcasting Network and popular televangelist, has died following a stroke, her son announced Tuesday via a posting on his and his wife's website. She was 78.

"Laurie and I have just watched the transition of our precious mother from this world to the next; watched her step into the presence of Jesus and into her heavenly reward," Matt and Laurie Crouch said in a statement.

"Jan Crouch, known around the world as Momma Jan, has gone home."

Crouch and her late husband, Paul, founded Trinity Broadcasting Network, now known as TBN, in 1973 and watched it grow to become the world's largest and most successful religious broadcasting network.

Born Janice Bethany in Columbus, Georgia, she was the daughter of Edgar and Laurie Bethany. Her father was a preacher and official in the Assemblies of God denomination.

She would meet her future husband through a church event.

In a 2007 TBN newsletter, Paul Crouch recalled seeing her at a camp meeting in Rapid City, South Dakota, where her father was preaching.

"Heads turned (especially the boys) as a slight, beautiful angel seemed more to glide than walk toward the front of the auditorium," Crouch wrote. "Head down — timid it seemed to me -- yet the bright red dress contrasted with the retiring, even shy, demeanor of this stunning young lady!"

Crouch was thrilled to learn the young woman with which he was smitten was scheduled to start classes in the fall at Evangel College, an Assemblies of God liberal arts school, in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri. After she invited him to hear her sing at a youth event, the pair began dating and married in August 1957.

What followed was the birth of their sons, Paul Jr. and Matthew, and the blossoming of their ministry from a single station to a multimillion-dollar business empire.

The couple were a popular fixture on their show "Praise the Lord."

"Janice Crouch, called 'Mama' on the air, is known for her pink-tinged wigs, which look like huge swirls of cotton candy, and for talking emotionally about the Lord's blessings," Erik Eckholm wrote in a 2012 piece for The New York Times. "Mr. Crouch, or 'Papa,' is relentlessly upbeat as he quotes flurries of Bible verses on signature programs like 'Praise the Lord.' "

Paul Crouch Sr. died in 2013. In Tuesday's statement, her family wrote, "She has taken a piece of our hearts with her, but it's so wonderful to know that Paul and Jan Crouch are together again, in the arms of Jesus."

But TBN was not without controversy.

The New York Times article documented a family fight that highlighted the lavish lifestyle of the Crouches, including matching multimillion-dollar homes in a gated community in Newport, California.

Tom Lysiak obit

Former hockey All-Star dies of leukemia

 

He was not on the list.

Former NHL All-Star Tom Lysiak has died of leukemia at the age of 63.

Lysiak's daughter, Jessie Lysiak Braun, confirmed on Twitter that he died Monday.

He played 13 NHL seasons with the Atlanta Flames and Chicago Blackhawks, putting up 292 goals and 551 assists in 919 career games. Lysiak made the All-Star Game in 1975, 1976 and 1977.

Selected in the first round, second overall, of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames, he was additionally selected by the Houston Aeros in the second round of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft at 23rd overall.

In each of his last two seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Lysiak was awarded the Bob Clarke Trophy as the Western Canadian Hockey League's leading scorer, with a total of 297 points in 135 games.

In the process, Lysiak also made a fan for life out of Ed Olczyk, who idolized the center from High Prairie, Alberta, while growing up in Chicago. Olczyk's friend sent a letter to Lysiak when they were 14 saying the aspiring pro hockey player wanted to be his teammate someday, and Lysiak responded with a signed picture.

"On that picture it says: 'To Eddie, hope someday we can play together. Best wishes, Tommy Lysiak,'" Olczyk said Tuesday. "I thought that was like the greatest thing ever. I still have that picture on my mantle at home. There's not a day that I don't see it."

Olczyk went on to play two seasons as a teammate of Lysiak's with the Blackhawks and showed him, his wife and daughter that photo a few years ago. When play-by-play announcer Mike Emrick offered his on-air condolences Monday night during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final to Lysiak's family, including son-in-law Justin Braun of the San Jose Sharks, Olczyk said it was difficult to get through the emotions of the moment.

Braun, who is married to Lysiak's daughter, is expected to leave the team temporarily after Game 2 in Pittsburgh on Wednesday to attend his father-in-law's funeral.

"It's a tough situation. To Justin's credit, he was business as usual," Sharks coach Peter DeBoer told reporters in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. "You feel for him. He went out there, he battled for us under tough circumstances."

On the ice, Lysiak was the runner up for rookie of the year in 1973-74, and after being dealt to Chicago was the Blackhawks' leading scorer in 1980-81 with 76 points. Lysiak was given a 20-game suspension, one of the longest in NHL history, for tripping linesman Ron Foyt during a 1983 game against the Hartford Whalers.

During his junior career, Lysiak starred for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Canadian Hockey League, recording 297 points in 144 games and winning scoring titles in 1972 and 1973. He helped the Tigers to a WCHL title and an appearance at the Memorial Cup in the 1972-73 season.

Tigers President Darrell Maser said in a statement that Lysiak "is definitely considered to be, by many people, the greatest Tiger player of all time."

Olczyk said he was lucky to play with Lysiak and now-Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter during his first NHL game. Almost 40 years later, he still thinks highly of Lysiak as a person and a player.

"He was a great mentor, he was a really good player, a very underrated player when it came to the passing and the faceoffs and what have you," Olczyk said.

Rick MacLeish obit

Rick MacLeish, Former NHL Star, Dies at Age 66

He was not on the list.


Longtime Philadelphia Flyers forward Rick MacLeish died Monday night after suffering multiple medical problems in recent months. He was 66.

Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer confirmed the news Tuesday through Flyers Alumni Association President Brad Marsh. Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly noted the former center had been hospitalized in Philadelphia before his death.

Flyers President Paul Holmgren released a statement to the Philadelphia Inquirer about the news:

With the passing of [MacLeish], the Flyers have lost one of their legends. A good father, grandfather, teammate and friend, Rick will be missed by all who were fortunate to come and know him over the years. His happy and friendly demeanor was front and center everywhere Rick went. Today, our thoughts and prayers are with Rick's wife, Charlene, his daughters, Danielle and Brianna along with his grandchildren. May he rest in peace.

Fellow Philadelphia hockey star Rick Tocchet provided his condolences on social media:

Rick Tocchet @RealRocket22

R.I.P Rick MacLeish you were one of the true Flyer greats - God Bless 🙏

MacLeish was drafted with the fourth overall selection in the 1970 draft by the Boston Bruins. He was traded to Philadelphia before making his debut during the 1970-71 campaign and proceeded to spend the first 11 years of his pro career with the Flyers.

His breakout season came in 1972-73 when he tallied 50 goals and 50 assists. Both totals ended up being career highs. It marked the start of an extended run of success for the Flyers, which proceeded to win the Stanley Cup in each of the next two seasons.

Perhaps the crowning moment of his career game during Game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Final. The Ontario, Canada, native scored the only goal of the team's championship-clinching victory over the Bruins, the team that had drafted him just four years earlier.

MacLeish also spent time with the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings over a 14-year NHL career that included three All-Star Game appearances. He registered 349 goals, 410 assists and a plus-152 rating across 846 games. He added 54 goals and 53 assists in 114 playoff contests.

He suffered a heart attack during a Flyers Alumni game in the early 2000s and underwent open heart surgery in the aftermath of the scare. He told the team's official site in 2005 that he changed his lifestyle afterward, completely eliminating smoking and starting to exercise more.

Carchidi noted earlier in May that MacLeish's daughter, Brianna MacLeish, confirmed he had been hospitalized for six weeks due to various medical issues.

Angela Paton obit

Angela Paton Dies: ‘Groundhog Day’ Actress Was 86

She was not on the list.

Angela Paton, whose dozens of credits include playing an innkeeper in the Bill Murray comedy Groundhog Day, died Thursday in Oakland, CA. She was 86. Her nephew told the Associated Press report that she had been in hospice care since a recent heart attack.

Paton had a long career in local Bay Area theater and appeared briefly on Broadway in 1969’s The Three Sisters and 1980’s Passione, starring

Jerry Stiller. She was in her late 50s when she began to land TV guest spots on such popular series as Thirtysomething, The Wonder Years, Hunter and Quantum Leap. She also did a six-episode arc of Falcon Crest and appeared in the early-’90s features Flatliners and Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael before getting the role for which she’s best remembered.

Groundhog Day opened at No. 1 in February 1993 and went on to gross $70.1M and become a repeated-view favorite. SNL alum Murray starred as a grumpy weatherman who began living the same day over and over again (remember the song that played on his alarm clock every morning?). Paton played Mrs. Lancaster, the kind-spirited innkeeper who asked Murray’s Phil multiple times, “Will you be checking out today, Mr. Connors?”

Paton continued to work steadily well into this decade, racking up more than 90 credits including TV’s Star Trek: Voyager, NYPD Blue, ER, Home Improvement, Cybill, Dharma & Greg, JAG, My Name Is Earl and Medium. She also appeared on the big screen in such films as The Wedding Singer, Joe Dirt, Lolita, American Wedding and Red Eye.

Paton also appeared on Broadway, opposite Jim Parsons in the short-lived 2012 revival of Harvey.



Filmography

Year Title Role Notes

1971 Dirty Harry Homicide Detective Uncredited

1988 Winnie Mrs. Spencer TV film

1989 Roe vs. Wade TV film

1989 Manhunt: Search for the Night Stalker Mrs. Webster TV film

1990 Flatliners Doctor

1990 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael Gloria Sikes

1991 Love, Lies and Murder Parole Board Member #3 TV film

1991 Crazy from the Heart Edna TV film

1991 Lies of the Twins Mrs. Shearer TV film

1992 The Last of His Tribe Mrs. Gustafson TV film

1992 Criminal Behavior Adelaide TV film

1992 Keep the Change Dinah TV film

1993 Groundhog Day Mrs. Lancaster

1993 And the Band Played On Woman in Denver TV film

1994 Clean Slate Shirley Pogue

1994 Blue Sky Dottie Owens

1994 Where Are My Children? Ellie McNeil TV film

1994 Trapped in Paradise Hattie Anderson

1995 Home for the Holidays Woman on Airplane

1996 Eye for an Eye Moderator

1996 Hollywood Boulevard Mary

1997 Lolita Mrs. Holmes

1998 The Wedding Singer Faye

1998 The Con Lyla TV film

1999 The Joyriders Rita Mae Tuttle

2001 The Kennedys Grandma TV film

2001 Early Bird Special Mrs. Carmichael

2001 Joe Dirt Woman with Roadrunner

2003 The United States of Leland Airplane Woman

2003 Die, Mommie, Die! Angela's Fan

2003 American Wedding Grandma

2005 Red Eye Nice Lady

2006 Aisle 73 Frances Burnbaum Short

2007 The Valley of Light Granny TV film

2007 Lavinia's Heist Lavinia Silver Short

2007 The Final Season Anne Akers

2013 I Am I Doris

2014 Last Wishes Emilie Baptiste Short, (final film role)

 
Television

Year Title Role Notes

1988 Thirtysomething Nurse 1 episode

1988–1989 Falcon Crest Harriet Anderson 6 episodes

1989 Hunter Eva Sands 1 episode

1989 The Wonder Years Woman at City Hall 1 episode

1990 Doctor Doctor Pauline Meacham 1 episode

1990 Equal Justice Mrs. King 1 episode

1990 Lifestories Eileen Chapin 1 episode

1991 Father Dowling Mysteries 1 episode

1991 Quantum Leap Lottie Sammis 1 episode

1991 My Life and Times Sarah Miller 1 episode

1991 Wings Sandy 1 episode

1991 L.A. Law Sandra Vosburgh 1 episode

1992 Murphy Brown Nurse #1 1 episode

1992 Doogie Howser, M.D. Betty Jameson 1 episode

1991–1992 Nurses Mrs. Kerper, Mrs. Pinson 2 episodes

1993 Sirens Dognapper 1 episode

1993 Love & War Nurse Doris 1 episode

1994 Dave's World Mrs. Begley 1 episode

1995 Star Trek: Voyager Aunt Adah Episode: "Caretaker"

1995 Something Wilder Mrs. Griffen 1 episode

1995 NYPD Blue Josephine Stevens 1 episode

1995 Picket Fences Mrs. Addelson 1 episode

1995 The Client Mrs. Jarvis 1 episode

1994–1995 Home Improvement Irma 2 episodes

1995 ER Mrs. Ransom 1 episode

1996 Seduced by Madness Joan 2 episodes

1996 Cybill Evelyn 1 episode

1996 The Home Court Marie Grant 1 episode

1996 Caroline in the City Mrs. Larson 1 episode

1997 Ink Mrs. Iniger 1 episode

1997 The Tom Show Mrs. Thompson 1 episode

1997 Cracker The Suspect 1 episode

1998 Chicago Hope Irene 1 episode

1998 Players Madge 1 episode

1998 Dharma & Greg Judith 1 episode

1998 Jesse Mrs. Baum 1 episode

1999 L.A. Doctors Mrs. Gerken 1 episode

1999 Sliders Mrs. Meadows 1 episode

2000 Boston Public Mrs. Walsh 2 episodes

2001 That's Life Mrs. Leski 1 episode

2001 The X-Files Mrs. Lukesh 1 episode ("4-D")

2002 First Monday Bernice Jaworski 1 episode

2002 Becker Mrs. Bernstein 1 episode

2003 JAG Elena Motley 1 episode

2005 Numbers Eyewitness 1 episode

2005 Curb Your Enthusiasm Ruth 1 episode

2006 Four Kings Betty 1 episode

2008 My Name Is Earl Old Woman 1 episode

2010 Sons of Tucson Ethel 1 episode

2010 Medium Mrs. Halstead 1 episode

2011 Grey's Anatomy Martha Elkin 1 episode

2014 I Didn't Do It Mrs. Klasby 1 episode

Beth Howland obit

Actress Beth Howland, who played Vera on 'Alice,' dies at 74

She was not on the list.

Beth Howland, the actress best known for her role as a ditzy waitress on the 1970s and '80s CBS sitcom "Alice," has died. She was 74.

Her husband, actor Charles Kimbrough, told The Associated Press that Howland died Dec. 31 of lung cancer in Santa Monica, California. He said there had been no announcement, funeral or memorial service because that's how she wanted it.

"That was her choice," he said.

Howland was born May 28, 1941, in Boston. At 16, she landed a role on Broadway alongside Dick Van Dyke in "Bye Bye Birdie." CBS later noticed Howland on stage in the 1970 production of "Company" and brought her to Hollywood for a bit part on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

Small roles on "The Love Boat" and "Little House on the Prairie" followed and a major break came when she was cast as Vera Louise Gorman on "Alice," a comedy set in an Arizona greasy spoon diner based on the 1974 Martin Scorsese film, "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore."

Howland earned four Golden Globe nominations during the comedy's 1976-85 run for her performance as the naive Vera. Howland described herself in a 1979 AP profile as "very shy" and said she saw something of herself in the character.

"I'm a little naive sometimes but not as much as Vera. I guess I'm really a cynic," she said.

After "Alice" ended, Howland largely disappeared from television acting, aside from bit parts on series including "Murder, She Wrote" and "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch."

Howland created Tiger Rose Productions with actress Jennifer Warren. The company produced "You Don't Have to Die," a 1988 HBO documentary about a boy's battle against cancer that won an Academy Award for best short-subject documentary.

Howland is survived by a daughter from her previous marriage to actor Michael J. Pollard.



Film

Year Title Role Notes

1959 Li'l Abner Clem's wife

Uncredited

Musical film based on the comic strip of the same name created by Al Capp and the successful Broadway musical of the same name that opened in 1956 and was produced by Norman Panama & directed by Melvin Frank.

1974 Thunderbolt and Lightfoot Vault Manager's Wife

Uncredited

Crime film written and directed by Michael Cimino.



Television

Year Title Role Notes

1972 The Mary Tyler Moore Show Linda Foster Episode: "Have I Found a Guy for You" (S 3:Ep 10)

1973 The Ted Bessell Show Margaret Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Bill Persky.[14]

Love, American Style Rita Episode: "Love and Carmen Lopez/Love and the Cover/Love and the Cryin' Cowboy" (S 5:Ep 13)

1975 Cannon Secretary Episode: "Nightmare" (S 5:Ep 1)

The Rookies Mrs. Ross Episode: "Reading, Writing and Angel Dust" (S 4:Ep 2)

Bronk June Kramer Episode: "Echo of Danger" (S 1:Ep 4)

The Mary Tyler Moore Show Joan Episode: "Mary Richards Falls in Love" (S 6:Ep 11)

1976 Little House on the Prairie Clerk Episode: "The Pride of Walnut Grove" (S 2:Ep 14)

1976–85 Alice Vera Louise Gorman Contract role (202 episodes)

1977 Eight Is Enough Mavis Episode: "Is There a Doctor in the House?" (S 2:Ep 1)

1979 The Love Boat Lee Noble Episode: "Third Wheel/Grandmother's Day/Second String Mom" (S 2:Ep 27)

You Can't Take It with You Essie Carmichael Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Paul Bogart.

1980 The Wild Wacky Wonderful World of Winter Stripper Made-for-TV-Movie

1981 The Love Boat Eloise Farnsworth Episodes:

"Farnsworth's Fling/Three in a Bed/I Remember Helen/Merrill, Melanie & Melanesia/Gopher Farnsworth Smith: Part 1" (S 5:Ep 8)

1982 American Playhouse Housewife Episode: "Working" (S 1:Ep 14)

1983 The Love Boat Jeannie Davis Episodes:

"Hits and Missus/Return of Annabelle/Just Plain Folks Medicine/Caught in the Act/The Real Thing/Do Not Disturb/Lulu & Kenny (Country Music Jamboree): Part 1" (S 6:Ep 27)

Captain Bernice Tobin Episode: "Youth Takes a Holiday/Don't Leave Home Without It/Prisoner of Love" (S 7:Ep 4)

A Caribbean Mystery Evelyn Hillingdon Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Robert Michael Lewis.

1985 Comedy Factory Kate Weston Episode: "It Takes Two" (S 1:Ep 6)

1988 ABC Afterschool Special Eleanor Flemming Episode: "Terrible Things My Mother Told Me" (S 16:Ep 5)

You Can't Take It with You Anita Briggs Episode: "For Whom the Phone Rings" (S 1:Ep 14)

1993 Murder, She Wrote Sandy Oates Episode: "Lone Witness" (S 9:Ep 19)

1997 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Mrs. Ericson Episode: "Cat Showdown" (S 1:Ep 19)

2000 Chicken Soup for the Soul Diane Episode: "Thinking of You/Mama's Soup Pot/The Letter" (S 1:Ep 17)

Batman Beyond Singer (voice) Episode: "Out of the Past" (S 3:Ep 5)

2002 The Tick Bea Episode: "Arthur, Interrupted" (S 1:Ep 8)

As Told by Ginger Dr. Leventhal (voice) Episode: "And She Was Gone" (S 2:Ep 23)