Obituaries

Lundquist, Georgia

Georgia Lundquist, 78, died Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Georgia died peacefully at home surrounded by loving family. She is survived by her husband Mr. David Lundquist. Georgia was a longtime, active member of First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo where she taught Sunday School and was active in the United Methodist Women’s organization. She was also involved in the Wesley Foundation/United Methodist Campus Ministry at Western Michigan University as an office administrator. A...

Miller, John Moore, Jr.

Rev. John Moore Miller, Jr., age 95, [Retired Detroit Annual Conference Clergy] died Sunday, May 19, 2013.  Reverend Miller served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Leaton (1945), Gladwin Circuit (1946), Mesick (1949), Levering / Pelton (1956), East Jordan (1963) and Bear Lake / Arcadia / Pleasanton (1965). He transferred to the Detroit Annual Conference in 1968 where he served in the following appointments: Gaines and Ossineke / Hubbard Lake /...

Van Lente, Lloyd R.

Rev. Lloyd R. Van Lente, age 96, died April 13, 2013 while in hospice care at Clark Retirement Community. He was preceded in death by his wife Marion Van Lente in 2006.  He served the following appointments as pastor in the West Michigan Conference: Ferry 1955, Shepherd/Mt Pleasant Indian Mission 1958, Lakeview/Belvidere 1964, Ganges 1966, Fennville/Ganges 68, Caledonia/Parmelee 71, Lansing Central Associate 1977. He retired in 1982. A service celebrating his life...

Grauer, Rev. Charles D.

Rev. Charles D. Grauer, 68, died Wednesday, April 3, 2013 while in hospice care. He is survived by his spouse, Patricia Grauer and their children and spouses, Kristen Grauer & Tim Warren; Kimberly Grauer; Jordan & Melissa Grauer.   Rev. Grauer served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Frontier/Cambria 1968; Frontier/Osseo Sept 15, 1969; Lansing Central (Assoc.) 1970; In School 1972; Grass Lake Jan 15, 1973; Three Rivers First/Ninth Street 1976; Alma...

Johannides, Mildred Mae

Mildred Mae Johannides, 93, of Penney Farms, FL, died Friday, March 8, 2013. She was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Francis C. Johannides in 2003. She served alongside her husband at Robbins/Grovenburg UMC, Jackson Brookside UMC, Battle Creek Maple UMC, Sparta UMC, Lansing First UMC, St. John’s UMC, and Vicksburg UMC.   A memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. at the Penney Memorial Church 4465 Poling Blvd, Penney Farms, FL 32079, Pastor Rex...

Marshall, Ray

Raymond Lee (Ray) Marshall, 73, died Monday, February 18, 2013. Ray was a leader of both Lay Speaking Ministries and Boy Scout Ministries in his local congregation and in the Albion District, and was West Michigan Associate Conference Lay Leader from 2006 to 2012. He is survived by his wife, Rosanne Marshall.  Visitation will be Friday, February 22, 2013 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Eickhoff Funeral Home, 311 West Main Street, Mendon, MI.   A...

Closson, Nathalie (Chenevert)

Nathalie Closson (nee Chenevert), age 92, died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in South Elgin, IL. She was predeceased by her husband, Pastor Frank Closson, who died in 1988.   Nathalie served with her husband, a former EUB pastor, in Michigan. She also assisted him in serving at Garrett Evangelical Seminary and as a missionary in Sierre Leone.   Services were held Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Reed City United Methodist Church.  Arrangements were handled by Countryside Funeral Home...

Smith, Garth D.

Rev. Garth D. Smith, 95, died Sunday, January 20, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Smith.  Rev. Smith served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: [Northstar 1938; Fulton 1941; Leaton 1944]; White Cloud 1945; Fennville 1950; Coloma 1955; Colon 1957; Ovid/Shepardsville 1963; Climax/Scotts/Fulton 1965; Benton Harbor: Grace 1971; Bellaire 1977; Retired Dec. 31, 1980; Jones 1982-Dec. 31, 1984   A memorial Service will held Thursday, January 24 at...

Grimes, Lynn E.

Rev. Lynn E. Grimes, 69, died Sunday, January 20, 2013. She is survived by her spouse, Mr. Kip Grimes.   Rev. Grimes served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: In School G-ETS 1982; Okemos (Assoc) 1983; Grand Ledge 1989; Central District Superintendent 1993; Holt 1999; Retired 2006.   A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 25, 2013 at Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church, 411 Harrison St., Grand Ledge, MI 48837-1575 with...

Barrett, Florence

Florence Barrett, 88. Florence died Saturday, January 19, 2013. Florence was a lay speaker within the West Michigan Conference, participated in UMW, She was at home with hospice and passed peacefully surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Barrett, in 2005.  Florence was a lay speaker within the West Michigan Conference, participated in UMW, recently preached at Niles Wesley UMC, Silver Creek UMC and Keeler UMC.   Visitation will be Tuesday,...

Frevert, Beverly Lou

Beverly Lou Frevert, age 85, of Mt. Pleasant died Thursday, December 20, 2012 at the Woodland Hospice House. She was predeceased by her husband Rev. Albert Frevert, December 1, 2012. A Celebration of Beverly and Albert's lives will take place next spring. Beverly will be buried next to her husband in Riverside Cemetery in Alma. Arrangements were handled by the Clark Family Funeral Chapel (989) 775-9943. Memorial contributions may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in her honor....

Moore, Eugene B.

Reverend Eugene B. Moore died Friday, December 14, 2012. Pastor Moore served at the Bloomingdale UMC, Kalamazoo District. He is survived by his wife Tammy Moore and their children and grandchildren. Pastor Moore served at the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: [Dimondale 1960; Bear Lake Circuit 1963]; Blanchard/Winn/Pine River/Commer 1966; Three Rivers Ninth Street/Jones 1968; Honorable Location 1972 (Charge Conf: Paw Paw); Bloomingdale (Ad Interim Appointment) Jan...

Pierce, Ward D.

Rev. Ward D. Pierce, 82, died Sunday, December 2, 2012. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan (Holcomb) Pierce and by his second wife, Muriel (Casteel) Pierce.   Rev. Pierce served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Mesick/Brethren/Harrietta 1967; Mesick/Harrietta 1971; Lake City 1972; Grand Rapids Griggs Aug 15, 1976; (Griggs merged with Wesley Park) Wyoming Wesley Park Jan 1, 1979; Buchanan First March 15, 1979; Lake Odessa Lakewood...

Frevert, Albert, Rev. Dr.

Rev. Dr. Albert (Al) Willis Frevert, 86, died Saturday, December 1, 2012.  He is survived by his wife Beverly Frevert.   Rev. Frevert served in the following appointments within the West Michigan Conference: [Coral/Amble 1950]; Muskegon: Central (Assoc.) 1954; Vicksburg 1958; Lansing: Faith 1961; Grand Haven 1965; Lansing District Supt. 1972; Mt. Pleasant: First 1978; Retired 1989.   A private family graveside service will take place this week at Riverside Cemetery...

Higa, Ione

Ione Higa (Gurney), 71, died Thursday, November 22, 2012. She is survived by her spouse, Bob Higa. Ione was predeceased by her parents, Mary Gurney in 2004 and Pastor John Herbert Gurney, 1996. A Memorial Service for Ione Higa was held December 1, 2012 at the Kalamazoo Stockbridge United Methodist Church....

Chaffee, George W.

Rev. George W. Chaffee, 93, died October 14, 2012. He was predeceased in death by his wife, Doris Chaffee, in 2008.   Rev. Chaffee served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Transferred from Nebraska Conf., New Buffalo 1949; Pentwater 1951; Martin 1956; Otsego 1960; Galesburg 1965; Coloma/Riverside 1968; Ionia: Zion/Easton 1971; Jackson: First (Assoc.) 1974; Retired 1984   A memorial service for Rev. Chaffee will be held Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012 at...

Rupert, Hoover

Rev. Dr. Hoover Rupert, 94, died October 4, 2012 in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  He was predeceased by his wife Hazel Rupert (Senti) in 2007. Rev. Dr. Rupert served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Thayer Circuit/Olathe 1943; Youth Dept. Director General Bd. of Education 1945; Jackson: First 1950; Ann Arbor: First 1959; transferred from Detroit Conf., Kalamazoo: First 1972; Retired 1983 A memorial service in celebration of his life was held in the Guild...

Forkner, Naomi

Naomi Forkner, 95, died Monday, September 17, 2012. She was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Dr. Stanley H. Forkner, who died in 1993. A small, family service will be held in Lakeland, Florida at a later date. Naomi will be buried in Grand Rapids next to her husband Stanley.   Condolences may be sent to her son, Robert Forkner, 899 Sun Deck Way, Boynton Beach, FL 33436.   The family asks that any memorials be made to a charity of your choice.   A complete...

Mohr, Edward L.

Pastor Edward L. Mohr, 64, died Tuesday, September 11, 2012. He is survived by his wife Phyllis Mohr. He was predeceased by his first wife, Shirley Mohr, in 2005. Pastor Mohr served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Camden/Montgomery/Stokes Chapel 2004; Gobles/Kendall 2010   A memorial service will be held Friday, September 14, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Gobles UMC, 210 E. Exchange St., Gobles, Michigan (269) 628-2263. Visitation will take place...

Hamilton - Mary

Mary Alice Hamilton Holt, age 78, died September 4, 2012. in Hastings. Mary served as an officer of the Conference United Methodist Women.  She is survived by her husband Vance Hamilton.   A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 8, 2012, at Holt United Methodist Church, 2321 N. Aurelius Rd., with The Rev. Dr. Glenn M. Wagner officiated.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holt United Methodist Church in memory of Mary...