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 Jennifer Gertz
Marvin H. McCallum
May 20, 1936 – October 1, 2026 Rev. Marvin H. McCallum (Retired Elder), a United Methodist minister, church leader, fruit grower, and devoted family man whose life of service spanned… Continue Reading Marvin H. McCallum
Lisa K. England
March 27, 1957-September 19, 2026 Lisa Kim Brey England, spouse of Rev. Gene Patrick England, was born March 27, 1957, and passed away at age 69 on September 19, 2026,… Continue Reading Lisa K. England
Thomas H. John Sr.
March 3, 1963-September 21, 2026 Pastor Thomas Harold John Sr. (Retired Local Pastor) passed away Monday, September 21, 2026 at Munson Medical Center at the age of 83. Tom was… Continue Reading Thomas H. John Sr.
Ruth A. Richards
January 12, 1937 – September 12, 2026 Ruth A. Richards, surviving spouse of Rev. Charles W. Richards (Retired Elder), of Bronson, passed away Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Parkview Regional… Continue Reading Ruth A. Richards
Sue Ellen Ward
October 13, 1942-September 5, 2026 Epictetus: “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”, is how Sue lived her life. Sue Ellen Drinkhouse Ward,… Continue Reading Sue Ellen Ward
Sandra E. Franke Strall
July 6, 1949 – August 21, 2026 Sandra Esther Franke Strall, spouse of Rev. Dana R. Strall (Retired Elder), age 77, of South Rockwood, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her… Continue Reading Sandra E. Franke Strall
Cynthia E. Jackson
July 6, 1948 – August 18, 2026 Cynthia E. Jackson, former Detroit West District Administrative Assistant to the Detroit Conference, died on August 18, 2026 at age 78. Cynthia served… Continue Reading Cynthia E. Jackson
Nancy J. Bates
April 17, 1928-August 13, 2026 Nancy Jane (Black) Bates, age 98, of Houghton Lake, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at home, surrounded by her family. Nancy was born… Continue Reading Nancy J. Bates
Eileen J. Torrey
December 15, 1940-August 9, 2026 Eileen Johanna Torrey, surviving spouse of the late Rev. William J. Torrey (Retired Elder), died peacefully in her home on August 9, 2026 at the… Continue Reading Eileen J. Torrey
Charlotte Simmons
November 2, 1927-August 8, 2026 Charlotte Graves Simmons, surviving spouse of Rev. James G. Simmons (Retired Elder), of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Ann Arbor, Adrian, Clinton, Ferndale, Milford, Carleton, Linden,… Continue Reading Charlotte Simmons
