Obituaries

Jaquish - Philip

  Rev. Philip Jaquish, 89, died August 29, 2012. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Ilene Eley.   Rev. Jaquish served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Epsilon/Levering 1981; Leave of Absence 1987; White Cloud 1988; Manistee 2002; Retired 2012.   Funeral services were held Saturday, September 1, 2012, at the Bennett-Barz Funeral Home, in Beulah, Michigan; the Reverend Jerry Jaquish officiated. Interment took place at the Inland...

Merrill - Ardis

  Ardis Merrill, wife of Rev. Donald Merrill, retired pastor, passed away on Friday, August 24, 2012.  Services will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2012, at 2:30 pm, in the Clark Retirement Community Chapel, 1551 Franklin SE, Grand Rapids.  A reception will be held in the Baker-Hendrick Room following the service.   A second memorial service for Ardis Merrill will be held on Sunday, September 2, 2012, 2:30 pm, at Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, 501 East Mt. Hope...

Page, Carlos

Rev. Dr. Carlos Page, 88, died August 9, 2012. He is survived by his spouse, Mildred Page.  Rev. Dr. Page served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Hope/Edenville 1954; served Andover, NJ church 1956; Reed City 1959; Big Rapids: First 1961; Grand Rapids District Supt. 1965; Benton Harbor: Peace Temple 1971; Retired 1989   A Celebration of Rev. Dr. Carlos C. Page’s life will be held Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Methodist...

Brown, Gladstone L.

Dr. Gladstone L. Brown, Ph.D., 94, died August 2, 2012. He was predeceased by his wife, Anne Jeanette Brown (Wursthorn), who died in 2011.   Dr. Gladstone L. Brown, served in the following capacity related to the West Michigan Conference: Dean of the Chapel at Albion College in Albion, Michigan, 1975. Executive Vice President of Albion College, 1981. Retired in 1983.   Arrangements are being handled by Cassaday Turkle Christian Funeral Home located at 75 South Union Avenue,...

Crum, H. Forest

Rev. H. Forest Crum, 90, died July 29, 2012. He is survived by his spouse, Grace Crum.   Rev. H. Forest Crum served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Transferred from North Indiana Conf., May 29, 1960; Wayland 1960; Coleman 1966; Grand Rapids: Valley Avenue 1969; DeWitt Nov. 23, 1969; Ludington: St. Paul 1974; Boyne City/Boyne Falls 1981; Courtland/Oakfield 1983; Leave of absence Sept. 1, 1984; Retired 1985; died 7-29-12   A memorial service will...

Collins, Marshall R.

Rev. Marshall R. Collins, 82, died Wednesday, July 18, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Mary Collins.   Rev. Collins served at the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Northport Indian Mission UMC (DSA) 1991-2001; Retired 2000.   Visitation will be Monday, July 23, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Martinson Funeral Home 115 N Saint Joseph Street, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 (231) 271-3441.   A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, at...

Showers, Luella Mae

Luella Mae Showers, 95, died Saturday, June 30, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Gordon S. Showers. A Memorial Service will be held July 3, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Grand Rapids First UMC 227 Fulton Street E. Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3236 (616) 451-2879. There will be no visitation. Rev. David G. Showers, her son will officiate along with Rev. Gary Haller and Rev. Randall Vandemark. Memorials may be given to Grand Rapids First UMC.   Condolences may be sent...

Bailey, Jan

Jan Bailey, wife of retired clergy, Rev. Dean Bailey of Alto/Bowne Center UMC’s died Tuesday, June 26, 2012. She is survived by her husband, Pastor Dean Bailey. The Memorial Service will be Saturday, July 21 at 11am, with visitation from 9:30am until the start of the service, at Alto UMC, 11365 64th St. SE, Alto, MI, 49302.   Funeral arrangements are being taken care of through Roth-Gerst Chapel 305 N. Hudson, Lowell, MI 49331 (616) 897-7101.   Condolences may be sent...

Beers, Birt

Rev. Birt Beers, 82, died on Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012.  He is survived by his wife, Helen Beers. Rev. Beers served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Mancelona/Alba 1956; Transferred to Southern California-Arizona Conf. 1957; Transferred from Southern California-Arizona Conf., Alden/Kewadin/Kewadin Indian Mission 1958; Albion (Assoc.) 1961; Quincy/Fisher Hill 1963; Otsego 1967; Breckenridge/Wheeler 1972; Breckenridge 1976; Montague 1977; Muskegon:...

Buchner, Lewis Arthur "Bud"

Pastor Lewis Arthur "Bud" Buchner, 66, died Monday, May 21, 2012 following a courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease.   Bud served the following communities over thirty years of pastoral ministry: Freesoil/Fountain (pulpit supply), Kingsley, Grant, Ravenna, Potter Park, Lansing Street Ministry - The Harvest House, Emmanuel (Traverse City), Oakwood (Kalamazoo), Oshtemo, Convis Union (Battle Creek), and Shelby, retiring in 2007.   Visitation will take place...

Myette, John

Rev. John Myette, 86, died Saturday, May 5, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Myette.   Rev. Myette served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Jonesville 1954; Lawrence 1958; Breckenridge Jan. 20, 1963; Grand Rapids: St. Paul's 1964; Muskegon Crestwood 1969; Lansing Asbury 1970; Rockford 1978; Leland/Keswick 1980; Newaygo 1984; Retired 1988; South Wyoming (LTFT) Nov. 15, 1988 - March 15, 1991; South Wyoming Jan. 1, 1994-1995   A memorial...

Berntsen, Robert A.

Robert (Bob) A. Berntsen, 84, died Tuesday, April 3, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Rev. Gayle Berntsen of Whitehall/Claybanks UMCs.    A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Lake Harbor United Methodist Church located at 4861 Henry Street, Muskegon, MI 49441-4536.  Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon following the service.   Condolences may be sent by visiting the Clock Funeral Home website: www.clockfuneral...

Blakey, James

Dr. James Blakey, 81, died Wednesday, March 28, 2012. He is survived by his spouse, Pastor Dorothy Blakey. Dr. Blakey served in the church ministry as a teacher, counselor, and seminary professor.   A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 11:00 am at First United Methodist Church at 227 East Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI. A luncheon and visitation with the family will follow.   Memorial gifts may be given in Jim's name to either the Memorial Fund at...

Church, Gladys

Gladys Church, 92, died Tuesday, March 27, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband, Pastor Lewis White Eagle Church who served at Salem/Bradley UMCs prior to his death July 6, 2002.    Visitation will take place Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Friday March 30, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Gorden Funeral Home at 208 W. Main Street, Hopkins, Michigan 49328 (269) 793-7142.   A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday March 31,...

Francis, John L. Rev. Dr.

Rev. Dr. John L. Francis, 84, died peacefully Monday, February 20, 2012 at Faith Hospice - Trillium Woods in Byron Center surrounded by his wife, Donna, and son, Dean Francis. Rev. Dr. Francis served in the following appointments in the West Michigan Conference: Transferred from Detroit Conf., White Cloud 1950; Sanford 1954; Ithaca 1956; Battle Creek: Chapel Hill 1962; Eaton Rapids Nov. 1, 1964; Hillsdale 1968; Albion District Supt. 1971; Holland 1977; Conference Council...

Simon, Delores A.

Delores A. Simon, 83, died Sunday, February 5, 2012. She was preceded in death in 2011 by her husband, Rev. Harold R. Simon, Sr. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, 203 S. Pleasant Street, Belding, MI (616) 794-1630 with Pastor Connie Shatz officiating. Visitation will take place at 12:00 p.m. preceding the service.   Memorials may be given to the Ionia Area Hospice or Comfort Keepers of Grand...

Parker, Tara

Tara Parker, daughter of Rev. Eugene and Tamara Moore of Bloomingdale UMC, died of cardiac arrest Saturday, January 7th, 2012. Tara leaves her husband, John, and their two young children 10 and 12.  Please pray for solace and support for the family in their time of sorrow....

Shashaguay, Bernard

Bernard “Bernie” Shashaguay, age 90, died Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at Clark Retirement Community surrounded by family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Bea Shashaguay. Bernard was the Conference Treasurer for fourteen years. A memorial service is planned for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Clark Chapel. Visitation will be held at 12:00 p.m. prior to the service. Coffee and dessert will be served after the service. Arrangeme...

Bunce, Arra

Arra Bunce, age 90, died Dec. 4, 2011, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Arra was preceded in death by her husband, retired clergy, Rev. Ross H. Bunce, Jr. in May 2003. A memorial service is to be planned at a later date in Chatham, Michigan.   A complete obituary may be found at the following website: http://www.wsalumni.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=136852&post=136943&  ...

Beach, Julie

Julie Beach, 73, died Tuesday, November 29, 2011 in Miamisburg, OH. She is survived by her husband, retired clergy, Rev. Stephen Beach who served in the West Michigan Conference. A memorial service is to be held Friday, December 2, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cedar Springs UMC 140 S. Main Street, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. preceding the service. Pastor Mary Ivanov will officiate. Obituaries will be published in the Grand Rapids Press and...