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
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
Rev. Dr. Anthony J. Shipley
The Rev. Dr. Anthony J. Shipley, went to be with his Lord on April 1, 2020 at the age of 80. Anthony was a Retired Elder of the Michigan Conference who served first in the New York Conference before transferring to the Michigan Conference where he served as a Program Director; Detroit West District Superintendent; Detroit: Scott… Continue Reading Rev. Dr. Anthony J. Shipley
Rev. Phylemon D. Titus
The Reverend Phylemon DePriest Titus, Retired (Dec. 31, 2002) Elder of the Michigan Conference, made a peaceful transition to his home on high on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 6:04 a.m. in Waycross, GA. with his wife (Rev. Linda Slaughter-Titus, Waycross) and daughter (Iyana Titus-Richards, NY, NY). Although ‘Tite’ was ordained in the Texas… Continue Reading Rev. Phylemon D. Titus
Rev. A. Ray Grienke
Rev. A. Ray Grienke A. Ray Grienke, 82, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Ray was born on August 10, 1937, in Alta, Iowa, to Florence and Alfred Grienke. He graduated from Alta High School in 1956. After working several jobs in Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota and Indiana, Ray… Continue Reading Rev. A. Ray Grienke
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