Dan Davenport, Peter White and Pat Fikkert in Heaven

Three saints in the extended Cono Family passed in recent weeks: Dan Davenport (1972), Peter White, and Pat Fikkert. Peter was the son of David and Lydia Peters (1993) White. Pat was the wife of Steve Fikkert (1969). Read their obituaries below.

Daniel Mark Davenport, 71, of Amherst, VA, passed into Glory and the arms of his Savior on July 21, 2025.

Dan was born in Lima, OH, the son of Dorothy Wise Davenport and Donald Arthur Davenport. He graduated from Cono Christian School in Walker, IA in 1972 where the Lord called him out of deep darkness and into the marvelous light of lifelong relationship with Christ. He attended Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA, and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Gordon College in 1982. Dan later earned a Masters and a PhD in Mathematics at Penn State University. While in retirement he fulfilled a lifelong ambition to earn an additional Masters in Continental Philosophy from Sheffield University in the UK.

Dan married Nina Shafer on May 10, 1975 in Duanesburg, NY, with her father, Roger Shafer, officiating. Dan and Nina were married for 50 years and were blessed with eight children and 14 grandchildren.

During his career he worked for Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque, NM as well as HRB Systems and Raytheon in State College, PA, and Lockheed Martin in Valley Forge, PA.

Dan loved working outside, gardening, crossword puzzles, talking theology and philosophy, reading to his children, designing and building jungle gyms, engineering model trains, playing his guitar, and has been described as a punster extraordinaire. Many remember him for his sharp wit, humor, and his gift of wisdom. He knew how to fix any broken thing that crossed his path, making the world around him whole however he could. He was a faithful husband, friend and counselor to many, especially his children and their spouses. He prayed earnestly for his wife, each of his children, and grandchildren every day.

Mourning Dan are his wife Nina, his children, Shelley (Ryan Davis), his son-in-law Mathew Melcher (Anna), Ariana (Judah Stitzer), Ethan, Taylor (Nicole), Owen (Rachael), Susannah, and Laurie (Francis McCauley), and his grandchildren Evangeline, Catriona, Matilda, Thane, Constanze, Junia, Rannoch, Desmond, Maisie, Elijah, Arlo, Jasper, Josephine, Knox, and another baby on the way. He leaves behind siblings Dixie, Deborah, Dona, David, Douglas, Darrin, and Dana, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved daughter, Jessica Leona (Mathew Melcher).

The memorial will be held on July 29th at Teague Funeral Service in Charlottesville, VA. Visitation is at 10AM and the funeral service is at 11AM. Dan’s brother-in-law, Jonathan Brownson, will officiate. Interment will be during a private family gathering.

Memorial donations in Dan’s memory may be directed to:

Ridge Haven Cono

215 Ridge Haven Road

Brevard, NC 28712

Or online: ridgehaven.org/donations

Dan's online obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/charlottesville-va/daniel-davenport-12464598

Peter Joseph White, April 25, 2011 ~ June 14, 2025 (age 14), of Mebane, NC, passed away on June 14, 2025, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill after an illness with medical complications. Peter was a gift from God, who used him to bless his family and many other people, despite (and because of) his disabilities. Peter enjoyed music, being outside, and having others interact with him.

Peter is survived by his parents, David and Lydia (Peters) White; sisters, Katherine White and Emily White; brother, Jeff White; and grandmothers, Peggy White and Claudia Peters. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Sam White and Stan Peters.

A graveside service was held at 10:00 AM on Thursday June 19, 2025, at Oakwood Cemetery in Mebane with Pastor Stu Johnston officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Heart’s Cry Children’s Ministry in Raleigh (for their special needs orphanage) by visiting https://www.heartscrychildren.com/

Peter’s memorial service can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffKetDGNHBQ

Peter's online obituary: https://www.mcclurefuneralservice.net/obituary/Peter-White

Patricia Ann Fikkert passed on to glory May 2, 2025 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Her last days were filled with laughter, singing and visiting with those she loved.

She was born on July 8, 1950 to Elmer and Marie (TeRonde) Nyenhuis in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She was a 1968 graduate of Oostburg High School, later studying at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA where she received her degree in Chemistry.

Her passion for teaching math and science brought her all over the country in her 40-year career, teaching in Leesburg Christian School (VA), Covenant Christian School (NJ), Grove City Christian School (PA), Orangewood Christian School (FL), and finally, Mount Vernon Christian School (WA) where she taught for 24 years until her retirement in 2016.

Pat loved her family and filled her home with joy. She was united in marriage to Stephen Fikkert on December 28, 1971 in Oostburg, WI. Together, they enjoyed the gift of marriage for over 53 years and raised 3 children together. In more recent years, Pat enjoyed spending time with her 12 grandchildren.

Pat was also a devoted Christian and a faithful member to the various churches she attended over the years. She used her musical gifts to lead worship, direct choirs, or accompany on the piano. Her teaching gifts were put to use in Sunday School or in more recent years as a Bible Study leader at Grace Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon. For several years, she extended an open invitation for Sunday dinner, feeding twenty to thirty young people weekly. She had a warm sense of hospitality to everyone.

Making music with family and friends were among her fondest life memories including singing in the Skagit Valley and Symphony Chorales which provided immense encouragement to her through her battle with cancer. Even in the hospital in her final hours, she harmonized her favorite hymns with family and friends.

Pat was active and full of energy. In retirement, she spent time on the things she loved : French club, traveling, reading, gardening, knitting, sewing, and entertaining the grandkids. She was talented at whatever she put her mind to and used her extraordinary gifts for the benefit of others and the worship of God.

She is survived by her husband Steve, one daughter Alison (Nicolas) Farelly of Compiègne, France; two sons James (Esther) and Seth (Lauren) of Mt. Vernon, WA . Pat is survived by her twelve beloved grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Joan Flipse, Janet Klompenhouwer, and Judy Dirkse; Sister-in-law, Marcia (Allen) VanderPol; Brother-in-law, Brian (Jill) Fikkert. She is also survived by various nieces and nephews.

There was a graveside service at Oostburg Cemetery at 11am on Friday, June 13, with a reception at Bethel OPC in Oostburg following at noon.

Memorial donations can be made in Pat's name to: Mount Vernon Christian School (https://www.mountvernonchristian.org/page/giving) or Covenant College Endowment Fund (https://covenant.edu/giving/endowment.html).

Pat's online obituary: https://www.wenigfh.com/obituaries/patricia-fikkert