Memorial ServiceWest Michigan Annual Conference

Calvin College ChapelThursday, May 30, 2013 • 7:30 PM

Prelude

Opening Praise and Worship Set Words on the screen How Great Thou Art To God Be the Glory I Will Rise Amazing Grace (verses 1,2,3,6)

Opening Prayer

Scripture Reading Ezra 3:10-13

Message “Shouts of Joy and Bitter Weeping” Bishop Sharon Z. Rader

Liturgical Reading Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:he leadeth me beside the still waters.He restoreth my soul:he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Remembering the Saints

Holy Communion

Final Song “It Is Well With My Soul” See next page

Benediction

Postlude

It Is Well With My Soul

Words: Horatio G. Spafford, 1873. Music: Philip P. Bliss, 1876. Reprinted by permission from The United Methodist Hymnal.

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In MemoriamClergy

BIRT BEERSBorn February 7, 1931. Served Mancelona/Alba 1956; Transferred to Southern California-Arizona Conf. 1957; Transferred from South-ern 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: Crestwood 1983; Stockbridge 1990; Harbor Springs/Alanson May 15, 1993; Retired 1995. Died May 27, 2012.

Birt was a loving husband, aff ectionate father and father-in-law, and proud grandfather of Turner and Troy. Birt longed for the blue waters of Lake Louise, and the lovely little cabin, #7 on Pioneer Trail. He and his wife Helen shared summers enjoying the Lake Louise Christian Community. His favorite times were when he saw the sun shining on the water, heard the snap of the sails on the rigging, and when he ate blueberry sundaes at Whippy Dip during the summer. Birt was always kind and was very loved by the church parishioners he served for 58 years in the West Michigan Conference. He baptized hundreds of babies, married many happy couples, counseled and shepherded his congregations compassionately, and gave many last benedictions for loved ones who passed away before him. Birt was actively involved in the civic groups in the communities where he served.

GLADSTONE BROWNBorn September 4, 1917. Served as Dean of the Chapel at Albion College 1975; Executive Vice President of Albion College 1981; Retired 1983. Died August 2, 2012.

LEWIS BUCHNERBorn July 3, 1945. Served Freesoil/Fountain (pulpit sup-ply); Kingsley; Grant; Ravenna; Potter Park; Lansing Street Ministry - The Harvest House;

Emmanuel (Traverse City); Oakwood (Kalama-zoo); Oshtemo; Convis Union (Battle Creek); Shelby; Retired 2007. Died May 21, 2012.

When you ride a tricycle down a Main Street because you bet the VBS kids that they could reach their goal, you tend to get noticed and you share about Christ. When you start a street ministry with a bunch of concerned church folks that becomes recognized as one of President Bush’s “Thousand Points of Light,” you get interviews with the media and you share about Christ. Over thirty years of pastoral ministry, our father shared Christ wherever he was appointed to serve. In retirement, our father started a new life as “Grandpa.” He loved spending time with the kids, just being around the kids, and most importantly, being a kid! In the later years, when it was time, we did what our dad often told us to do, sometimes jokingly but always seriously, “Get me to Clark!” And we’re glad that we did. The staff at Clark Retirement Communion became his extended family as well, continuing where the good folks at Ferry UMC started, until his passing in May of 2012.

GEORGE CHAFFEEBorn July 2, 1919. Transferred from Nebraska Conf., served New Buff alo 1949; Pentwater 1951; Martin 1956; Otsego 1960; Galesburg 1965; Coloma/River-

side 1968; Ionia: Zion/Easton 1971; Jackson: First (Assoc.) 1974; Retired 1984. Died October 14, 2012.

MARSHALL COLLINSBorn June 12, 1930. Served Northport Indian Mission UMC (DSA) 1991-2001; Retired 2000. Died July 18, 2012.

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H. FOREST CRUMBorn September 21, 1921. Trans-ferred from North Indiana Conf.; Served Wayland 1960; Coleman 1966; Grand Rapids: Valley Avenue 1969; DeWitt Nov. 23, 1969; Lud-

ington: St. Paul 1974; Boyne City/Boyne Falls 1981; Courtland/Oakfi eld 1983; Leave of absence Sept. 1, 1984; Retired 1985. Died July 29, 2012.

Forest met Grace in 1941 and it was love at fi rst sight. They were married and very seldom apart for 69 years before his passing. His smile was infectious and love of family was unwavering. Forest accepted Christ at age 23 and soon after felt the call of God to the pastoral ministry. He began seminary, was assigned a 3-point charge and raised a family all at once. He pastored in the UMC in Indiana from 1951-1960 and in Michigan from 1960 until retirement in 1984. His love for Christ was evident in his life and preaching and his passion was to see everyone have a relationship with Jesus.

ALBERT FREVERTBorn September 30, 1926. Served Coral/Amble 1950; Muskegon: Cen-tral (Assoc.) 1954; Vicksburg 1958; Lansing: Faith 1961; Grand Haven 1965; Lansing District Supt. 1972;

Mt. Pleasant: First 1978; Retired 1989. Died Decem-ber 1, 2012.

CHARLES GRAUERBorn January 6, 1945. Served 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 1981; Okemos Community 1989; Plainwell: First 1996; Lansing: Christ 2003; Retired Dec. 31, 2012. He also served the former Lickley Corners and South Pittsford churches in 1968-69 and provided ongoing pulpit supply to Baseline and Washington Heights church-es in Battle Creek in 1972. Died April 3, 2013.

Known as “Pastor Chuck,” his life exuded love, service, hard work, and courage. A lifelong boater on Torch Lake, he enjoyed model trains, a Model A, and the Cubs. He grew up in Chicago and completed a B.S. in business at Northwestern University and an M.Div. at Garrett Theological Seminary. He served as an elder

in United Methodist churches in Michigan for 44 years. Active as a Rotarian and in Scouting, Chuck was a strong advocate of community service as part of faith.

LYNN GRIMESBorn April 30, 1943. In School G-ETS 1982; Served Okemos (Assoc) 1983; Grand Ledge 1989; Central District Super-intendent 1993; Holt 1999;

Retired 2006. Died January 20, 2013.Lynn’s calling to the Lord came early in life. Throughout her nearly 48 years serving her Lord, Lynn baptized, married and cared for countless people throughout mid-Michigan. After graduating from Albion College, Lynn immediately began work as the Christian Education Director at Okemos Community Church. While Lynn loved the evenings, weekends, and work-project trips watching young men and women grow in their faith, she began to feel God was calling her in a new direction. She graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary in 1983 and was ordained in 1985. At every appointment along her journey, Lynn built friendships that lasted a lifetime. In retirement, Lynn continued service within the greater church by serving on the West Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and part-time at Trinity United Methodist Church. Lynn’s partner on all of these journeys was Kip. What began at a Boy Scout dance when she was in the 6th grade blossomed into a loving marriage of 47 years. Spending time with family was one of Lynn’s greatest joys, whether sitting in a cold ice rink watching grandsons Kaden and Maddox play hockey or welcoming her fi rst granddaughter, Ella, into the family just a week before she passed. Lynn is greatly missed by her family and friends, but the life she lived left a lesson for us all: Accept people where they are in life without judgment because we are called to love and serve all people.

PHILIP JAQUISHBorn April 18, 1923. Served Bear Lake, Arcadia and Pleasanton Methodist church-es in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. Died August 29, 2012.

EDWARD MOHRBorn March 18, 1948. Served Camden/Montgomery/Stokes Chapel 2004; Gobles/Kendall 2010. Died September 11, 2012.Ed was a second career licensed local

pastor. He was taking Course of Study classes at Methodist Theological Seminary in Ohio at the time of his death in a tragic car-bicycle accident. Ed’s favorite Scripture was from the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. He felt called to prophecy to the dry bones of churches who would then come back to life. Ed was active with the West Michigan Town and Country ministries. Before answering God’s call to ministry, Ed was a manager for Kelsey Hayes in Jackson. He opened a computer store with his son. While attending Jackson: Trinity UMC, Ed was involved with the music ministry. Ed was a caring spouse, fi rst to Shirley for 26 years, who preceded him in death, and to Phyllis for a little less than 6 years. He was a proud father and grandfather to eleven grandchildren. Ed enjoyed working with computers and was an avid bicyclist.

EUGENE MOOREBorn March 6, 1938. Served Dimondale 1960; Bear Lake Circuit 1963; Blanchard/Winn/Pine River/Coomer 1966; Three Rivers: Ninth Street/Jones 1968; Honorable Loca-

tion 1972; Bloomingdale (Ad Interim Appointment) Jan 1, 2009. Died December 14, 2012.

CARLOS PAGEBorn January 11, 1924. Served Hope/Edenville 1954; Andover, NJ church 1956; Reed City 1959; Big Rapids: First 1961; Grand Rapids District Supt. 1965; Benton Harbor:

Peace Temple 1971; Retired 1989. Died August 9, 2012.

Carlos grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He left Ohio Wesleyan University in 1942 to enter the Army Air Corp where he served as a B-24 navigator in the 13th Air Force in the South Pacifi c during WWII. He married his sweetheart, Mildred Durham in 1946. After graduating from Union College in Kentucky in 1949, he and Mildred made their home in Cedar Springs, MI, where he taught school, coached, and ultimately became Superintendent of Schools of Sand Lake. In 1954, Carlos was moved to join the 5

Methodist ministry. He continued teaching school in Michigan while serving two churches in Hope and Edenville. He earned his Bachelor of Divinity at Drew University in 1959. When he and Mildred retired to Cocoa, FL, in 1989, they became active members of Cocoa UMC. Carlos was active in church and community aff airs. During his ministerial career, he was a regular delegate to Jurisdictional and General conferences, and he served as task force committee chair during the federal court-ordered desegregation of Berrien County. Carlos loved taking pictures, stamp collecting, fi shing, golf, basketball, his many friends and family.

WARD PIERCEBorn August 5, 1930. Served 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 1985; Retired 2001; Mendon/West Mendon (DSA) 2001. Died December 2, 2012.

HOOVER RUPERTBorn November 3, 1917. Served 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. Died October 4, 2012.

Dr. Rupert was born in Madison, NJ, the son of a Methodist minister. When he was six years old, his family settled in Kansas after spending three years in India doing mission work. Dr. Rupert received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baker University in 1938 and went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Boston University in 1941. During his career, he received honorary doctorates from Adrian College, Baker University, and Milliken University. In addition to his appointments, he served as secretary of the Judicial Council from 1968 to 1988 and the chaplain of the Epworth Heights Assembly from 1984 to 1998. He authored more than 20 books on a variety of Christian topics. In his retirement, he enjoyed golf, teaching, reading, and spending time with his family.

GARTH SMITHBorn December 24, 1917. Served North Star 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 1980; Jones 1982-1984. Died January 20, 2013.

LLOYD VAN LENTEBorn December 24, 1917. Served Ferry 1955; Shepherd/Mt. Pleasant Indian Mission 1958; Lakeview/Belvidere 1964; Ganges 1966; Fenville/Ganges Parish 1968;

Caledonia/Parmelee 1971; Lansing Central (Assoc.) 1977; Retired 1982. Died April 13, 2013.

Lloyd enjoyed crafting wooden puzzles, which were used in schools, Ronald McDonald House and DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Clergy SpousesJANET BAILEYWife of Dean BaileyBorn May 24, 1937Died June 26, 2012Janet Joyce Launstein Bailey grew up in New Lathrup, Michigan,

attended Central Michigan University, Newark State Teachers College, and Aquinas College. She served churches as director of Christian education, Sunday School teacher and superintendent, pre-school teacher, Youth Fellowship counselor and as an active participant in United Methodist Women. Jan served the Conference as Children’s Coordinator, Board of Ministry chair and member-at-large from the Grand Rapids District. Her community service included Cub Scouts, Love, INC, and most recently Lowell Arts Council and Flat River Outreach Ministries. Jan’s high energy and infectious, “can do” spirit motivated her family and friends to serve others in helpful ways. She married Dean in 1956. Above all, Jan is remembered by many for her great hugs of love and comfort.

ANNE BROWNWife of Gladstone BrownBorn October 23, 1916Died June 14, 2011

NATHALIE CLOSSENWidow of Frank ClossenBorn April 12, 1920Died February 2, 2013

Nathalie served in distinction and honor with her husband Frank in several appointments in Indiana, Sierra Leone, West Africa, Illinois and Michigan. She was noted in all of these places for her lead-ership, dignity and humility. Frank and Nathalie served in the Evangelical United Brethren Church and ultimately in The United Methodist Church following the 1968 merger. In addition to her work with Frank she was a staff member of Evangeli-cal Theological Seminary and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She was a loving mother to her three children and eight grandchildren. Unfortunately in her fi nal years she was deserted by the clergy of the church, not receiving a single pastoral visit, despite many requests from her fam-ily to her local church pastor. In spite of this she bore no ill will toward anyone throughout her life.

NAOMI FORKNERWidow of Stanley ForknerBorn September 9, 1916Died September 17, 2012

BEVERLY FREVERTWidow of Albert FrevertBorn May 20, 1927Died December 20, 2012

MILDRED JOHANNIDESWidow of Francis JohannidesBorn May 13, 1919Died March 8, 2013

Mildred Mae Johannides was married to the late Rev. Francis C. Johannides for 57 years. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who devoted her life to her husband’s ministry in The

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United Methodist Church and in the Christian Missionary Alliance. She loved teaching lab schools. She was active in, and chair of, many laboratory schools of the UMC nationwide. Her special gift was hospitality. She and Rev. Johannides opened their home to everyone.Mildred and Rev. Francis Johannides served at the following churches: Robbins-Grovenburg, Jackson: Brookside, Battle Creek: Maple, Sparta, Lansing: First, St. Johns and Vicksburg.

ARDIS MERRILLWife of Donald MerrillBorn February 9, 1921Died August 24, 2012

LUELLA MAE SHOWERSWidow of Gordon ShowersBorn October 24, 1916Died June 30, 2012

Children of the ParsonageIONE HIGA (GURNEY)Child of Mary and John GurneyBorn October 6, 1941Died November 22, 2012

LaypersonsFLORENCE BARRETTBorn September 21, 1924Died January 19, 2013

MARY HAMILTONBorn January 8, 1934Died September 4, 2012

RAY MARSHALLBorn August 8, 1939Died February 18, 2013Ray loved our God, serving in our local church, the Emmaus community, and at the District

and Conference levels. He loved our country, life, people, and humor. One picture shows him standing on the corner of Raymond and Marshall Streets in Marshall. He is wearing his Emmaus cross that he always wore. He had a Navy anchor tattoo representing his service to our country for 35 years and eight months, retiring from the Navy in 1992 as a Commander. He loved the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a volunteer for 35 years. He then served the Boy Scouts professionally for over ten years. Ray retired from the Boy Scouts in 2002. He was proud to wear his Scout hat quite often; it seemed so much a part of him. He was a member of Kiwanis for 19 years, serving as the Lt. Governor twice. He was the secretary for the last 7 years. Ray received the Hixson and Zellar awards. Ray loved his family, trying to see them as often as possible, and having family reunions every two years. The last reunion was at Christmas 2011 in Destin, FL. He was loved by so many, and now missed by many. In our time, we will all be rejoicing together.

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