15 Jun Death of Rev. Keith Smith

Rev. Keith Smith, 89, passed away June 11, 2022. He graduated from Huntington University in 1961 and from its seminary in 1965. He was ordained in 1965. Rev. Smith concluded his ministry serving on staff at First UB (now Element UB) church in Blissfield, Mich. from 2005 to 2018, most recently as Minister of Visitation.

Visitation: 6-8 pm Wednesday, June 15
Funeral: 11:00 am Thursday, June 16, 2022
Visitation and Funeral Location: Element UB church, 220 East Jefferson Street, Blissfield, Mich.

Keith and his wife Dorothy were one week away from celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

You can view the online obituary here.

23 Apr Death of Norma Murphy, Pastor and Pastor’s Wife in Michigan

Norma R. Murphy, 97, passed away April 16, 2022, in Fairborn, Ohio. She was both a United Brethren pastor and pastor’s wife for nearly 40 years in Michigan.

After graduating from high school in June 1942, Norma accepted a job constructing World War II amphibious landing craft at the Chris Craft boat plant in Cadillac, Mich. Two years later, she enrolled at Marion College in Marion, Ind. to study to become a teacher and athletic coach. There she met John Murphy, a World War II vet who was studying for the ministry. They were married in 1947.

After John graduated in 1951, they moved to Michigan for John’s first pastoral assignment. She served alongside him in ministry for 30 years as pastor’s wife, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and young adult counselor. She and John had two sons.

John and Norma served the Pleasant View United Brethren church in rural Blanchard from 1966 until John’s death in November 1981. Norma was then granted a Certificate of Ministry from the Michigan Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, and continued serving the Pleasant View congregation as pastor until she retired in June 1997. In addition to her pastoral duties, Norma worked as a dietician, store clerk, and cashier.

A private family graveside service will be held in Six Lakes, Mich.

16 Dec Death of Rev. H. Dean VanderVeen

Rev. H. Dean VanderVeen, 93, a retired UB minister in Michigan, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. He was at home, with family at his side.

Both visitation and the funeral will occur on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Calvary United Brethren church in Saginaw, Mich. (2895 E. Moore Road, Saginaw, MI 48601).

Visitation: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Funeral: 1:00 pm.

Dean’s son, Rev. Gary VanderVeen, and Rev. Ted Doolittle, the current pastor of Calvary UB, will officiate.

Dean was ordained as a United Brethren minister in 1965. He founded Calvary Community Church in Saginaw in 1971 and served as its pastor until 1992.

Dean and Annabelle, who survives, were married in 1951. Her address:

Annabelle VanderVeen
4620 McIntosh Rd
Birch Run, MI 48415-8704

16 Dec Dec 20 Funeral for Bishop Paul Hirschy

The memorial service for former bishop Paul Hirschy will be held at 11:00 am Monday, December 20, 2021. Location: College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

Visitation is 2-7 pm Sunday, December 19, at Myers Funeral Home in Huntington (2901 Guilford St, Huntington, IN 46750). Visitation will also occur one hour before the service on Monday.

The memorial service will be livestreamed on Youtube at this address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkNtTZVUvYI

Bishop Todd Fetters will give the memorial message. Former bishop Ray Seilhamer will also give some remarks.

04 Dec Death of Former Bishop Paul Hirschy

Former Bishop Paul E. Hirschy, 75, passed away December 1, 2021. The viewing and funeral will be held December 19-20 in Huntington, Ind.

Viewing: 2-7 pm Sunday, December 19, 2021
Viewing location: Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford St, Huntington, IN 46750
Funeral: 11 am Monday, December 20, 2021
Funeral location: College Park UB church, 1945 College Avenue,
Huntington, IN 46750.

Bishop Todd Fetters will officiate at the funeral service, which will be streamed online on Youtube.

Paul graduated from Huntington University in 1968, and from the HU Seminary in 1972. In 1968 he began ten years of pastoral ministry–initially in Convoy, Ohio, followed by nine years at Park UB church in Bluffton, Ind. He managed the denominational printshop 1978-1981, and then was elected by General Conference to the first of five terms as Director of Church Services at the UB national office.

In 2001, Paul was elected bishop of the US National Conference. He served in that role until 2005. He worked the next seven years as a development officer at Huntington University, and since 2012 has been associate pastor at College Park UB church in Huntington.

On October 1, 2021, Huntington University awarded Paul the Distinguished Alumni Citation, which recognizes exceptional service over an extended period of time. “Service” is, indeed, what Paul is most known for—a man with a true servant’s heart.

Paul is survived by his wife Barbara, to whom he was married in 1969, and their three children: Jason Hirschy (Thornton, Colo.), Heather Gonzales (Washington, D. C.), and Amber Kaushik (Alexandria, Va.).

Condolences can be sent to Barbara Hirschy at:

Barbara Hirschy
5493 N Goshen Road
Huntington, IN 46750-8940

Memorial donations may be made to Huntington University or College Park UB Church, both in care of Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford St., Huntington, IN 46750.

You can read the official obituary on the Myers Funeral Home website.

02 Dec Death of Paul Hirschy, Bishop 2001-2005

Former Bishop Paul E. Hirschy, 75, passed away December 1, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. Funeral arrangements are being made through the Myers Funeral Home in Huntington.

Paul graduated from Huntington University in 1968, and that year began ten years of pastoral ministry–initially in Convoy, Ohio, followed by nine years at Park UB church in Bluffton, Ind. He managed the denominational printshop 1978-1981, and then was elected by General Conference to the first of five terms as Director of Church Services at the UB national office.

In 2001, Paul was elected bishop of the US National Conference. He served in that role until 2005. He worked the next seven years as a development officer at Huntington University, and since 2012 has been associate pastor at College Park UB church in Huntington.

On October 1, 2021, Huntington University awarded Paul the Distinguished Alumni Citation, which recognizes exceptional service over an extended period of time. “Service” is, indeed, what Paul is most known for—a man with a true servant’s heart.

Condolences can be sent to Paul’s wife, Barbara, at:

Barbara Hirschy
5493 N Goshen Road
Huntington, IN 46750-8940