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. Donald S. Weatherup
Rev. Donald S. Weatherup We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Donald S. Weatherup who died on May 13, 2019 at the age of 57. Don served at Flushing UMC, Pinckney: Arise UMC and Commerce UMC. A memorial service to celebrate his life has been planned for this Saturday, May 18th, at… Continue Reading Rev. Donald S. Weatherup
Rev. Robert H. “Bob” Bough
Rev. Robert H. “Bob” Bough We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Robert H. “Bob” Bough, retired Detroit Conference clergy who died on May 13, 2019 at the age of 84. Bob was born November 23, 1934, in Highland Park, Michigan, the son of Henry and Ethel (née Taylor) Bough. Bob is… Continue Reading Rev. Robert H. “Bob” Bough
Barbara A. Parr Burton
Barbara A. Parr-Burton (Baldwin), age 85, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family, especially the grandchildren whom she adored. Barbara was the surviving spouse of Rev. M. Clement (Clem) Parr who served in the Detroit Conference. Visitation with family and friends will… Continue Reading Barbara A. Parr Burton
Rev. Bruce M. Denton
Rev. Bruce M. Denton, age 68, of Lake Orion, died on Sunday, May 5, 2019 after a long and valiant battle with cancer. He was born in Detroit, Michigan and got his diploma from Thurston High School in Redford. He graduated from Adrian College and married his high school sweetheart, Jeannine (Churchill) in 1972. They… Continue Reading Rev. Bruce M. Denton
Rev. Gregory R. Wolfe
Rev. Gregory R. Wolfe We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Gregory R. Wolfe, age 71, retired pastor, who passed away on Monday, April 15, 2019. Gregory began his career as a Deacon in 1973, completing his Clinical Pastoral Educational Program at Miledgeville State Hospital. He then went on to serve… Continue Reading Rev. Gregory R. Wolfe
Lois M. Powell
Lois M. Powell We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Lois M. Powell who died on April 10, 2019 at the age of 94. Lois was born to the late Robert and Estella (Humphrey) Shimmons in Sterling, Michigan. Sadly, she lost both birth parents at an early age. Fortunately, Lois was raised by… Continue Reading Lois M. Powell
Nancy Louellen (Wheeler) Steele
Nancy Louellen (Wheeler) Steele Nancy Louellen Steele, 79 of Kalamazoo, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on Saturday April 13, 2019. Nancy married her soul mate of 61 years, Rev. Philip P. Steele, on June 20, 1957. She was an accomplished pianist, seamstress and artist. Her career included bedding sales associate at JC Penney retiring in 2005,… Continue Reading Nancy Louellen (Wheeler) Steele
Karleen J. Pettis
Karleen J. Pettis Karleen J. Pettis, wife of Rev. Warren D. Pettis (retired 1998) passed away Good Friday, April 19, 2019 at DuPage Central Hospital, DuPage, Illinois following a year of declining health. Karleen Strayer Pettis, was a daughter of Carl & Eileen (Bowsher) Strayer of Midland, Michigan. She grew up in the Midland First United Methodist Church… Continue Reading Karleen J. Pettis
Betty J. Luce
Betty J. Luce We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Betty J. Luce who died on Friday, April 19, 2019 at the age of 89. Betty is survived by her husband, Rev. Michael W. Luce, who retired after serving at Garfield and Poseyville United Methodist Churches. She is also survived by her children, Terry Shooltz,… Continue Reading Betty J. Luce
Rev. Sharyn Kay Rush-Osmond
Rev. Sharyn Kay Rush-Osmond, age 68, of Farwell went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, April 19, 2019. Sharyn leaves behind her beloved husband Rick, and Daughters Fran and Alexandria, and a large family including her dearly loved grandchildren. Sharyn attended The Methodist Theological School in Ohio and Duke School of Divinity… Continue Reading Rev. Sharyn Kay Rush-Osmond