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. Recipients are local churches and anyone who has subscribed to the death notice/prayer request database. Anyone can join this database at http://eepurl.com/dcxvn5

Announcements 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

Jerry W. Daniel

Jerry Wayne Daniel of Wayland, Michigan, died at his home on February 4, 2020 after a brief and difficult struggle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Jerry was the husband of Rev. Reva Hawke Daniel, a Retired Elder of the Michigan Conference who last served at Hopkins/South Monterey before retiring in 2005. Jerry was born July 9, 1938… Continue Reading Jerry W. Daniel

Rev. John L. Andrews

Rev. John Leon Andrews died peacefully at his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on January 20, 2020. He was born February 3, 1929, in Superior, Wisconsin, to the late John and Julia (Pedersen) Andrews. He was 90 years old. After graduating from Superior Central High School, Superior, Wisconsin, Leon went on to study at… Continue Reading Rev. John L. Andrews

Merna I. Francis

Merna I. Francis, formerly of Comstock Township, died Friday afternoon, January 17, 2020 at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo. Merna was born in Cairo, IA on August 22, 1933 to Royce and Ruby (Main) Partington. She was a graduate of Wapello High School and attended Iowa State Teachers’ College. Merna met Aden Francis while working as a… Continue Reading Merna I. Francis

Rev. Dr. Richard C. Cheatham

Rev. Dr. Richard C. Cheatham Reverend Dr. Richard C. (“Dick”) Cheatham of San Antonio, Texas passed away November 30, 2019 at age 89. He was a multitalented man loved by many and missed by all. Born May 24, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, he lived an abundant life filled with his faith, family and friends. He… Continue Reading Rev. Dr. Richard C. Cheatham

Rev. Alfred T. Bamsey

Rev. Alfred T. Bamsey Rev. Alfred T. Bamsey, retired clergy member of the former Detroit Conference, died in the early morning of November 26, 2019. He served for 39 years before his retirement in 2000. His appointments included Grosse Pointe (Associate), Detroit: Bethany, Troy: First, Detroit West District Superintendent, Conference Program Director and Ann Arbor: First. … Continue Reading Rev. Alfred T. Bamsey

Rev. Ron L. Keller

Rev. Ron L. Keller Rev. Ron L. Keller, age 83, of Flint Township, died Monday, November 25, 2019 at McLaren-Flint. He joins a loving God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ron L Keller was born March 14, 1936, to Orin Wellington & Verlah Charlotte (Evers) Keller on a farm near Morenci, MI, the 4th of 5… Continue Reading Rev. Ron L. Keller

Rev. Theron E. Bailey

Rev. Theron E. Bailey We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Theron E. Bailey, retired Michigan Conference clergy, who died on November 17, 2019 at the age of 91. Theron began his work with the Michigan Conference in 1955 at Kewadin. He then went on to serve at Union City, Ogdensburg/Wesley Foundation, Hart/Mears, Wyoming… Continue Reading Rev. Theron E. Bailey

Rev. Dr. Oscar William (Bill) Cooper, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Oscar William (Bill) Cooper, Jr. The Reverend Dr. Oscar William (Bill) Cooper, Jr passed away on November 11, 2019 at his home in Fort Collins, CO. He was born to Oscar and Leatha Cooper on May 24, 1939 in Ecorse, Michigan. In June of 1953 he married Ruth Zimmermann in Schooley’s Mountain, New… Continue Reading Rev. Dr. Oscar William (Bill) Cooper, Jr.

Joanne R. Pérez

Joanne R. Pérez Joanne Robinson Pérez, 88, was called by her heavenly Father on October 24th, 2019 to join her father, William H. Robinson, her mother, Daisy B. Mitchell Robinson, her brother, Brooks Odeth Robinson, her Aunt Rena Robinson Carducci, her grandchild, Mario Roman Ordoñez Pérez and cousins Sylvania & Marjorie Pritchard. Born and raised… Continue Reading Joanne R. Pérez

Rev. Ralph T. Barteld

Rev. Ralph T. Barteld Reverend Ralph T. Barteld, 88, of Marysville, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, October 19, 2019. He was born October 24, 1930 in Bay City to the late Fred and Cora Barteld. He married the love of his life, Diane A. Lockwood on November 24, 1951 in Detroit.… Continue Reading Rev. Ralph T. Barteld

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