Rev. Stephen E. Rumley's Obituary
Stephen Elmore Rumley entered the Lord's presence on January 14, 2020. Stephen was born on September 29, 1946 to Elmore and Charleen (Johnston) Rumley in Detroit, Michigan. Stephen received Christ as his Savior at age eleven, as described in John 1:12, "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" KJV. On September 8, 1967, Stephen married his high school sweetheart Nancy Jane Crawford, who would love and support him through more than fifty years of marriage.
After completing four years of service in the United States Air Force, Stephen answered God's call to preach "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Corinthians 1:21 KJV). He attended seminary and then pastored First Baptist Church of Francesville, Indiana, for three years before moving to Muskegon in 1979. At Sheridan Drive Baptist Church, Pastor Rumley taught through the Bible three times, discipled servant leaders, and supported families in practical Christian living during his forty years of ministry. One of Pastor's favorite verses was Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (KJV).
Pastor is survived by his wife Nancy (Crawford) Rumley; children Scott (Naomi) Rumley of Hartford, Michigan, Laura Rumley, Keith (Christine) Rumley of DeWitt, Michigan, Peter (Jamie) Rumley of Bloomington, Indiana, Karen (Josh) Dear, Anna Rumley, Wade (Sarah) Rumley, Kezia Rumley, Patience (Noah) Hartley; twenty-nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Bev Rumley of Wayne, Michigan, siblings Jane (Tom) Nast of Rochester, Michigan, Sarah (Barry) Long of Gaylord, Michigan, Jon (Nona) Rumley of Michigan City, Indiana, and Tim (Sue) Rumley of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pastor is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Carl Rumley, and grandchildren Nicholas Rumley and Nadia Rumley.
The homegoing service for Pastor Rumley will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Sheridan Drive Baptist Church, 84 S. Sheridan Dr, Muskegon, MI 49442 (231) 773-6072. Friends may meet the family 5-8:00PM Friday, January 17, 2020 at the Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 737 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 (231) 726-5210 and one hour prior to the funeral at the church, on Saturday. For those desiring to make an expression of sympathy, you are asked to consider Pastor Steve’s family. You are also invited to share memories or a verse with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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