Rev John H DeLine

Clayton, MI—Rev. John H. DeLine “…having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” Philippians 1:23 When he had faithfully fulfilled God’s calling on his life, our loving husband, father, grandfather, Pastor, and friend John Hiram DeLine, 92 of Clayton, answered God’s final call to come home on Sunday, May 20, 2012 under the care of his family and Hospice of Lenawee. He was born April 10, 1920 in Dover Township, Michigan, the sixth child of Walter Hiram and Beulah Elizabeth (Powell) DeLine. At the age of 20, he joined the U.S. Navy and was serving as a Gunner’s Mate on the U.S.S. Pennsylvania on December 7, 1941 and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. Subsequently, he fought during nine major battles in the Pacific theatre and also witnessed the signing of the peace treaty with Japan on September 2, 1945 aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, graduating in 1949 and returning home to pastor four local area churches; Locust Corners Baptist Church, Canandaigua Community Church, Demings Lake Memorial Church and Clayton Bible Church until his retirement in1982. John married Thelma Baugh on September 18, 1949. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Thelma, and their four children, Rachel (Carlos) Tobar of Adrian, Stephen (Lori) DeLine of Clayton, Mark (Linda) DeLine of Adrian, and Martha (Clifford) Middleton of Sand Creek; ten grandchildren, Benjamin Tobar of Grand Rapids, Lydia Tobar of Grand Blanc, John H. (Kathy) DeLine III of Hudson, Stephen P. DeLine II of Clayton, Emily Garvin of Adrian, Scott DeLine of Adrian, Abigail DeLine of Hudson, Ivan Middleton of Colorado Springs, CO, Shannon Middleton of Sand Creek, Allison (Colin) Mullaney of Colorado Springs, and three step-grandchildren, Pablo (Sanae) Tobar of Belleville, Anika Tobar of Lyndhurst, NJ, and Jenny (Tom) Colson of Onsted. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, nine step great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and all eight of his siblings; one grandson, Chad DeLine, and one great grandson, Justin DeLine. A visitation will be held Friday, May 25, from 2 to 4 and 6-8 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, 1501 W. Maumee St., Adrian, MI. Private burial will take place at North Dover Cemetery. A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday May 26, 2012 at Clayton Bible Church, Clayton MI with Pastor Bill VanValkenburg of Seneca Community Church and Pastor Calvin Walden of Reformed Baptist Church of Lenawee officiating. You may send condolences to the family at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to Clayton Bible Church or Canandaigua Community Church. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word . . .Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:9, 11

Rev John H DeLine

April 10, 1920 - May 20, 2012