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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

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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

Marvin R. Rosa

Rev. Marvin R. Rosa We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Marvin R. Rosa, retired West Michigan Conference clergy who died on February 11, 2019.  Marvin served his country honorably with the US Army Reserves. On July 27, 1957 he married Annette Haywood, and with her unwavering support, Marvin pursued his calling… Continue Reading Marvin R. Rosa

Ruth P. Hoover

Ruth P. Hoover We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Ruth P. Hoover who died on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the age of 97. She is survived by three sons, Paul of Florida, Jonathan of Jackson and Phillip of Kansas, and one daughter, Deborah of Canton; eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Ruth… Continue Reading Ruth P. Hoover

William H. Pope Jr.

William H. Pope Jr. We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Marva Pope of Wayne-Westland First UMC who lost her husband, William H. Pope Jr. on January 8, 2019. His homecoming service will be held at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Highway Southfield, MI 48076 on Saturday, January 19th.  Family hour begins… Continue Reading William H. Pope Jr.

Grovenor “Kip” Grimes

Grovenor “Kip” Grimes Grovenor “Kip” Grimes, the surviving spouse of Rev. Lynn E. Grimes, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 5, 2019.  Kip served alongside Lynn in her ministry as Christian Education and Youth Director at the Okemos Community Church for many years prior to her ordination and then as she served as the… Continue Reading Grovenor “Kip” Grimes

Rev. Paton M. Zimmerman, Sr.

Rev. Paton M. Zimmerman, Sr. The Rev. Paton MacGilvary Zimmerman, Sr., retired Detroit Conference clergy, went home to be with his Lord and his beloved wife, Virginia, on November 27, 2018. He was licensed first as a Local Pastor in 1977, Ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1978, and subsequently an Ordained… Continue Reading Rev. Paton M. Zimmerman, Sr.

Rev. Richard C. Kuhn

Rev. Richard C. Kuhn We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Richard C. Kuhn, retired West Michigan Conference clergy who died on December 8, 2018 at the age of 82. From an early age, Rich was called to ministry. He graduated from Washburn High School in 1954 and the University of… Continue Reading Rev. Richard C. Kuhn

Rev. Earl W. Downing

Rev. Earl W. Downing We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Earl W. Downing, retired Michigan Conference clergy, who peacefully passed away on December 6th, 2018 at the age of 90. He is now in his heavenly home with his Lord, his wife Gloria, and his Christian brothers and sisters.  Earl served… Continue Reading Rev. Earl W. Downing

Rev. Juanita J. Ferguson

Rev. Juanita J. Ferguson We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Juanita J. Ferguson, retired Detroit Annual Conference clergy who died on November 18, 2018 at the age of 75.  Juanita served at Wellsville, Detroit: Cass Community, Springville, Detroit: Ford Memorial, Birmingham First, and Beverly Hills.  She also served as District Superintendent… Continue Reading Rev. Juanita J. Ferguson

Rev. William Dale Carr

Rev. William Dale Carr We extend our condolences to the family and friends of William Dale Carr, of Portland, Michigan, born on February 17, 1938 in Lake Odessa, Michigan, passed away at age 80 on November 8, 2018 in Stevensville, Michigan. Rev. Carr served Belding, Galien, Olive Branch, Hamilton Grove (Indiana), Bear Lake, and Arcadia… Continue Reading Rev. William Dale Carr

Rev. Dr. Ward N. Scovel Jr.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Dr. Ward N. Scovel, retired West Michigan Conference clergy who died on October 13, 2018, at the age of 82.  Ward was Intuitive, metaphysical, perceptive and loving. A rebel with a cause for the underdog, and always willing to stand up for what he felt was right.… Continue Reading Rev. Dr. Ward N. Scovel Jr.