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.
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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
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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, 2024, from complications associated with Lewy Body Dementia, surrounded by her loving husband, Richard Andrus, her daughter, Deb Root, and granddaughter, Jessica Metzger. Jean’s life… 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 born July 11, 1928 in Knoxville, TN to the late Grady Hart and Bonnie Juanita Morris Hart. In addition to her parents, she was preceded… 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 facility on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the age of 88, surrounded by his loving family. Bob dedicated over 40 years of his life to… 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 Assisted Living-Seville Residence. She was born on May 8, 1938, in Grand Rapids, MI, to the late Roy and Florence (Miller) McDonald. Marilyn graduated from… 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 and Amy Clapp Salmonson. He is also survived by sister Joanne (Clapp) Close; sons-in-law Ron Itnyre and David Salmonson; grandchildren Annetta Itnyre, Rebecca Salmonson and… Continue Reading Jon M. Clapp
Raymond A. Jacques

November 13, 1938 – November 15, 2024 Raymond Allen Jacques, 86, of Beaverton, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 15, 2024, at MyMichigan Medical Center in Midland. He was born to the late Raymond H. Jacques and Ethel (Liebrock) Jacques on November 13, 1938, in Saginaw, Michigan. On May 9, 1959,… Continue Reading Raymond A. Jacques
Nancy L. Bugajski

February 14, 1947 – November 11, 2024 Pastor Nancy Louise Bugajski, 77, of Cassopolis, Michigan, passed away Monday, November 11, 2024. She was born February 14, 1947, in Muskegon, the daughter of Martin and Wanda Bugajski. Nancy was a local pastor serviing at Walkerville and Crystal Valley UMC’s in the 1990’s. Nancy was an adventurous… Continue Reading Nancy L. Bugajski
Doris J. Tousley

November 18, 1934 – November 1, 2024 Wife of Rev. Kenneth L. Tousley, Doris Jean Tousley, 89, of East Tawas, Michigan, died Friday, November 1, 2024, at The Heartlands Aspire Senior Living Community, Marlette. She was born November 18, 1934, on a farm near Snover to Norman and Veva (Rich) McQueen. She married Kenneth Lee… Continue Reading Doris J. Tousley
James F. Parker

November 2, 1946 – November 1, 2025 Rev. Dr. James Floyd Parker, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on November 1, 2024, just one day shy of his 78th birthday in Olympia, WA. “Jim” was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on November 2, 1946, to Ivan and Elnor (Coles) Parker. His parents and… Continue Reading James F. Parker
Karen B. Poole

September 22, 1942 – October 22, 2024 Rev. Karen Beth Poole, age 82, of Big Rapids, Michigan, formerly of Farmington Hills and several other locations in southeast Michigan, passed away late Tuesday evening, October 22, 2024, at her home under the loving care of her husband and Corewell Health Hospice. The daughter of Delbert Gerald… Continue Reading Karen B. Poole