Michael Rockafellow, 1945-2017
Michael “Mick” J Rockafellow, 72, of Charlotte, Mich., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, December 8, 2017. Mick was born on August 29, 1945, in Battle Creek, Mich., the son of JC and Wilma E. (Henney) Rockafellow. Mick served his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as pastor in Grace Brethren churches for more than 40 years in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and Michigan. He retired from full-time ministry in 2010. He continued to operate his fishing charter business, Erie Eyes Sportfishing aboard the “Rollin’ Rock” for several more years.
Mick graduated from Michigan State University in 1967 and taught Vocational Agriculture at Maple Valley High School in Vermontville, Mich. Mick then decided to go into full-time ministry and went to Grace Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind., where he graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1972 and began his ministry in Flora, Ind.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Bonnie (Augst) Rockafellow; three children and spouses, Andrew (Stephanie) Rockafellow of Lansing, Daniel (Sarah) Rockafellow of Dimondale, Kristen (Jonathan) Jarvis of Grand Rapids; three grandchildren, Claire Rockafellow, Autumn Rockafellow, and Chase Rockafellow; and siblings, Steven Rockafellow of Missouri, Jane (Leo) Swanepoel of Onondaga, Mich., and Roger (Gloria) Rockafellow of Potterville, Mich.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Robert E. Devine officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, and 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at the funeral home. Private interment will take place in Woodland Memorial Gardens. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Wishes of the Family. Due to medical reasons, please no flowers. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Mick on his Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com.