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 Kristen Gillette
David R. McKinstry

March 14, 1945 – December 20, 2024 Rev. David Robert McKinstry, age 79, of Adrian, MI, passed away at ProMedica Toledo Hospital Friday, December 20, 2024. He was born on… Continue Reading David R. McKinstry
Beatrice Blomquist

October 26, 1935 – December 16, 2024 Wife of Rev. Paul F. Blomquist, Beatrice Blomquist passed away on December 16, 2024. Lela Beatrice Blomquist, “Bea,” age 89, passed away December… Continue Reading Beatrice Blomquist
Frederick P. Cooley

July 23, 1938 – December 11, 2024 Rev. Frederick P. Cooley of Chelsea, age 86, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. He was born July… Continue Reading Frederick P. Cooley
Richard F. Venus-Madden

August 27, 1939 – December 6, 2024 The Reverend Richard F. Venus, 85, died on December 6, 2024. Richard was born on August 27, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan. He is… Continue Reading Richard F. Venus-Madden
Jean M. McNeil

October 17, 1927 – December 4, 2024 Wife of Rev. Frederic W. McNeil, Jean Meyers McNeil, age 97, passed away on December 4, 2024. Jean was born in Detroit, Michigan… Continue Reading Jean M. McNeil
Jean H. Andrus

April 4, 1940 – December 3, 2024 Wife of Rev. Richard C. Andrus, Jean Helen (Van Petten) Andrus, age 84, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 3,… Continue Reading Jean H. Andrus
Jeanne J. Kett-Hoffmaster

July 11, 1928 – December 2, 2024 Wife of Rev. Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, Margaret Jeanne Foster Kett-Hoffmaster, age 96, of Cedartown, GA, passed away December 2, 2024. She was… Continue Reading Jeanne J. Kett-Hoffmaster
Robert C. Grigereit

June 11, 1936 – November 30, 2024 Rev. Robert Charles Grigereit, retired elder, born June 11, 1936, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, passed away peacefully at the Orchard Creek Support Care… Continue Reading Robert C. Grigereit
Marilyn J. Miles

May 8, 1938 – November 19, 2024 Wife of Rev. David L. Miles, Marilyn Joyce Miles, age 86, of Grand Haven, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at Lakeshore… Continue Reading Marilyn J. Miles
Jon M. Clapp

January 26, 1935 – November 16, 2024 Rev. Jon M. Clapp died Nov. 16, 2024, the devoted husband (61 years) to Karen Baird Clapp and beloved father to Alisa Clapp-Itnyre… Continue Reading Jon M. Clapp