IN MEMORIAM
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Bishop Peter Hess Beckwith
September 8, 1939 - October 4, 2019

Bishop Peter Hess Beckwith, 80,  entered into glory on Friday, October 4 after a short illness, with his wife and two sons at his side. He was born September 8, 1939 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Robert & Florence “Frosty” (Hess) Beckwith. Peter was married July 10, 1965 to Melinda (Foulke) Beckwith.

Peter graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Hillsdale College, a Master of Divinity from University of the South Sewanee, and a Master of Sacred Theology from Nashotah House Theological Seminary. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Theology from Hillsdale College and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Nashotah House. Bishop Beckwith served 18 years as the Episcopal Bishop of Springfield, Illinois, retiring in 2010. It was there he also served as a chaplain to the Illinois State Police, an office he held until his passing. In May of 2014, Bishop Beckwith was appointed an Assisting Bishop for the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes in the Anglican Church in North America. Bishop Beckwith also served his country in the Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy Reserve for 27 years. He retired in September 1999 as the Deputy Chief of Chaplain for Total Force with the rank of Rear Admiral (RDML). He served as College Chaplain for Hillsdale College from 2010-2016 where he retired and was named Chaplain Emeritus. Bishop Beckwith was active in Delta Tau Delta’s Kappa Chapter, where he served as both Chapter Adviser and Chaplain.

He is survived by his wife Melinda of 54 years, two sons, Peter II (wife Fiona) Beckwith, of Westerville, Ohio and Mike (wife Martina) Beckwith of Eagle, Colorado; four grandchildren, Lauren, Nikki, Emma and Mishko Beckwith; and brother, Jon (wife Kathy) Beckwith of Hillsdale. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert E. Beckwith, Jr.

Peter’s life was centered on the warmth of giving and sincere concern for others. Whether from the pulpit, or in one-on-one private conversations, he was always honest and straight forward, yet thoughtful and relatable. Peter will always be positively remembered by his parishioners, acquaintances, friends, and loving family which he cherished deeply.

The Beckwith family will receive friends for visitation Thursday, from 5-8, PM, at the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale. Funeral services for Bishop Peter Beckwith will be held Friday, October 18, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Christ Chapel of Hillsdale College with Bishop Ronald Jackson officiating. Fr. Adam and the Choir of Holy Trinity Parish will assist. Interment will follow at Lake View Cemetery in Hillsdale. A reception will follow at the Searle Center of Hillsdale College.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes (ACNA), Holy Trinity Parish in Hillsdale, or Christ Chapel at Hillsdale College.

Mary Reed Snow, age 81, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully Friday, May 17th, 2019 at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence. Mary was born on May 9th, 1938 in Highland Park, MI, the daughter of the late Fred R. and Virginia (Stevenson) Reed.

On August 30th, 1959, Mary was united in marriage to, Taylor Snow, whom she adored and met while attending Albion College.  Their nearly 60 year marriage created a loving family, which includes her daughter, Cathy (Eric) Speirs of Flagstaff, AZ; two sons, Chris (Dawn) Snow of Battle Creek, MI, and Matt (Amy) Snow of Milton, Florida, and her five beloved grandsons, Taylor (Danielle), Andrew, Ben (Savannah), Tim and Sam Snow. Mary also thought of Quy Tran of Miramar Beach, FL as a surrogate daughter and shared close and loving relationships with many others in her extended family.     

Mary’s faith was her foundation, and she and Taylor have been long time members of the Holy Trinity Parish of the Anglican Church in Hillsdale, MI.  They also have had a special relationship with All Saints Anglican Parish in Pensacola, FL.  

Mary was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years, having spent the majority of her career with the Three Rivers Public Schools, as well as 6 years in Grand Ledge, MI.  Mary brought a remarkable passion to her teaching and unwavering commitment to positively influencing the lives of each and every one of her students.  

Mary was a committed resident of Three Rivers, which she treasured.  Her commitment began as a life guard in high school at the Three Rivers’ swimming hole.  Her community involvement continued throughout her life through her energetic participation in activities and organizations that were important to her.  She was a member of the Three Rivers Women’s Club for 52 years. She is perhaps best remembered as “The Pie Lady of Three Rivers” in recognition of her efforts with the Women’s Club Water Festival pie sale, which has raised thousands of dollars to support college scholarships for local students.  She and Taylor have also been important supporters of The Carnegie Center for the Arts, and many other community organizations.  Mary and Taylor were honored to be recognized as Three Rivers’ Citizens of the Year in 2008.  Mary cherished her friends far and wide, including many she had from her early days at Hoppin School.
  
Mary and Taylor also loved travelling.  Their travels led them to visit the Hopi Reservation many times to visit Mary’s close friend, who is one of First Mesa’s spiritual leaders. She especially enjoyed many Canadian wilderness fishing trips and spending winter months in Milton Florida, where she and her family lived for a time.  
The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at the Hohner Funeral Home in Three Rivers.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Three Rivers, with The Reverend Adam Rick of Holy Trinity Parish as celebrant. 

Interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers following a luncheon at the church.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to The Carnegie Center for the Arts, the Three Rivers Women’s Club Scholarship Fund or Holy Trinity Parish.  Envelopes are available at the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left at www.hohnerfh.com.

Christmas time is a season of glad tidings and celebration. So it is with a heavy heart that I bring you unhappy tidings this season. One of our own, William “Bill” George James, Sr. fell asleep and went to be with the Lord early Saturday morning after a long fight against kidney disease. He leaves behind a lovely wife of 65 years, Harriet James, and several children and grandchildren, among them our own Joanna Wiseley. Bill was a member of Holy Trinity Parish for over 17 years, though ailing health has prevented him from joining us most Sundays of late. It has been my pleasure to get to know him over several home visits since my arrival at Holy Trinity a year and a half ago, and to root for Michigan football with him.
 
A Burial Service with Holy Communion will be held for him at Holy Trinity this coming Thursday, January 4, 2018, at 1:00 pm. Everyone in attendance will be welcome to join in the procession to Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsdale for the Committal liturgy immediately after.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be offered in Bill’s name to Holy Trinity Parish.
 
Please keep Harriet, Scott and Joanna, and all their family in your prayers over the coming days and weeks. And please set aside part of your Thursday to mourn with them.
 
“‘I am the resurrection and the life,’ saith the Lord; ‘he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.’”