Rev. George R. Grettenberger
George Richard Grettenberger died Sunday, July 28, 2019 at the age of 89. George was born on April 16, 1930 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Louis and Edith Grettenberger. He graduated from high school in Grand Rapids in 1948 and from the University of Michigan in 1952 with a BA in History. He then attended Boston University School of Theology, where he earned a Master of Divinity in 1955, and also met his future wife, Diane.
He entered the ministry with the United Methodist Church in 1955, and served churches in Middleville, Lansing, Cadillac, Mason and Jackson, Michigan. He also served as a missionary in Cordoba, Argentina from 1959 to 1964. He “retired” from the ministry, and moved to Okemos, Michigan, where he served as an associate pastor at Okemos Community Church until 2015.
George was active in the community, serving as president both of Friends of Historic Meridian Village and the Okemos Kiwanis. George loved gardening, reading and travel, and he led mission trips to Bolivia, Haiti and Nicaragua. He served for many years as chair of the Michigan Area Haiti Task Force for the United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Diane; and his 4 children, John Grettenberger (Mary) of Olympia, WA, Susan Grettenberger (Nicole) of Lansing, MI, Charlotte Fitzgerald (Bruce) of Houghton Lake, MI and Louis Grettenberger (Karen) of Grand Haven, MI. He is also survived by 27 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
A celebration of George’s life will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Okemos Community Church (4734 Okemos Road, Okemos, Michigan). The family will receive friends and family from 6-8 PM on Monday, August 5, 2019 at Okemos Community Church. An interment service will be held at a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Arrangements by Gorsline Runciman, East Lansing. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.greastlansing.com.
Last Updated on October 31, 2023