Category: Obituaries
How to share a loss with the Michigan Conference.
Death notices will be sent on behalf of the Michigan Conference by the Communications Staff via e-blast for active and retired clergy, clergy spouses, clergy dependents and members to the annual conference when requested and with permission from a family member. Recipients are local churches and anyone who has subscribed to the death notice/prayer request database. To subscribe, go to the Subscription page.
The annual conference memorial service honors those who we have lost up to March 31st and for whom we have received notice by April 5th. Anyone received after the March 31st deadline will be recognized the following year at Annual Conference.
Read MoreAnnouncements include:
- Clergy, including part-time and full-time local pastors.
- Retired clergy as defined above.
- Spouses and surviving spouses of active and retired clergy.
- Dependent children of clergy [this includes stepchildren] still living in the parsonage.
- Diaconal ministers.
- Lay members of the previous annual conference.
- Laypersons of the conference support staff and ministry team, past or present.
- Missionaries related to the conference.
When death of a person in one of the above categories is known:
- The person reporting the death should provide the information to the district office where the deceased resided or attended a local church if known or provide the information to the to the conference office
- Information must include
- the name of the individual
- date of death
- relationship to the conference/clergy member
- history when available
- visitation and funeral information
- where condolences can be sent
- photographs are appreciated
- Death notices for extended relatives (parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) will be sent out as a monthly summary by the Communications Office and may be posted immediately by any individual on the Michigan Conference Facebook group page
- We encourage these types of announcements also be sent out by district email when deemed appropriate. Please note, there is a formatted design for these announcements in the MailChimp system that can be adapted and utilized.
- Death notices for any immediate or extended family of a staff member will be sent to the All Staff e-blast list and also included in the month summary e-blast sent to the death notice database.
Have more questions?
Please contact Kristen Gillette
Patricia Murphy

February 17, 1946 – May 15, 2025 Wife of Rev. Arthur C. Murphy, Mrs. Patricia “Miss Pat” Murphy, age 79, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, in Ocala, Florida.… Continue Reading Patricia Murphy
Lynn W. Wagner

November 11, 1939 – May 24, 2025 Rev. Lynn W. Wagner died on May 24, 2025. *Wagner, Lynn W. – DECEASED [(RE) D 1965; FE 1970; RE 2002] Hillsdale: First… Continue Reading Lynn W. Wagner
Timothy R. Hickey

April 19, 1937 – May 21, 2025 Rev. Dr. Timothy R. Hickey was born in Saginaw, MI, to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hickey on April 19, 1937, and died May 21, 2025,… Continue Reading Timothy R. Hickey
Diane “Dia” E. Vale

Retired Elder Diane Elizabeth “Dia” Vale, age 77, passed away at her home near Chelsea on May 16, 2025. Dia was born on June 2, 1947 to Wilber H. Worden… Continue Reading Diane “Dia” E. Vale
Kenneth J. Host

May 19 – April 24, 2025 Husband of Rev. Margery H. Host (Retired Local Pastor), Kenneth James Host passed away on April 24, 2025, at American House in Holland, MI.… Continue Reading Kenneth J. Host
Frederick G. Hamlin

September 28, 1930 ~ April 24, 2025 Rev. Frederick Hamlin was born in September 1930 in Douglas, Michigan, the youngest child of Keith and Beulah (MacCloughan) Hamlin. He passed away peacefully… Continue Reading Frederick G. Hamlin
Sally A. Preston

July 13, 1929 – April 23, 2025 Wife of Rev. Carter W. Preston, Sally Ann Preston passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Carriage House in Bay… Continue Reading Sally A. Preston
John “Jack” W. Jones

February 14, 1932 – April 6, 2025 Spouse of Rev. Margaret Z. Jones, beloved John Walker Jones, M.D., fondly known throughout his life as Jack, died peacefully at home after… Continue Reading John “Jack” W. Jones
Ada J. Kidd

January 12, 1935 – March 18, 2025 Ada is survived by her spouse of 67 years, Reverend David Kidd. Her family includes Paul Brian Kidd, Lansing, MI; Jon Sterling Kidd… Continue Reading Ada J. Kidd
Brenda DuPree

March 17, 2025 Brenda DuPree was Chair of the Conference Board of Global Ministries 2018-2022, Lay Leader at Clarkston UMC 2017-2024, a Lay Servant, and elected as a Jurisdictional Conference… Continue Reading Brenda DuPree