Bassett, Wendell C.
Media
Part of Bassett, Wendell C.
- Title
- Bassett, Wendell C.
- extracted text
-
MINISTER'S RECORD -
MICHIGAN CONFERENCE
This information is bei n g gathered for h istoricaL pur poses.
1-Name ......W.~.n.4.~.+..l. _.Q_~.rtP.....-...~.'9:.S..S.f!.t.t ....................(a) Date, place of birth ........!.~=.!:Y. . =.!:.3..'-. . . ~.9.99.. . .::~9.:.~h.~.JJ.e
(b) If deceased, date of death ..................................................._.(c) Place of burial..............-.....................................................................................................
2-Father's name ....Ro.y_. . Ba.ss.e.t.t .......... ........................................(a) Birth, date, place....MaY.....28., .....18.8q......~.... Nashv.ille...
3-Mother's name ........~.§..S..§_;i,.e. ....E..... .LSm.i .t.h1 ........................(a) Birth, date, place.....J.uly.... 22, .....l 8B?....., Nashv.ille ...
If father or m ot her were prominent gi ve information on separate sh eet.
4-B~othe~.:E-i3"r:nrt-~~-Mfir.s1l.aLI··· ·n1r·s··· Rai}··· · .: : · ···r;a:-r;:·sing·· ·· ··· · · · ······ · - · ······· · ····· ·:Mar·· · uita.....Ti1ei;·c;tiX·................ .
5-Slsters.........Juan-i-t~-- ---Ne-1-s-en-- - - - - - -(M,.·s-- - E1-mA-r-}-W.ebber·vi--1--1-e-- - - - - - - - :- - - - - - - - - - - ·CM:r-s-- -·F'rank}E-- - Lansing
Names and pfaces o]miaence, tfl.wtng, wi!lOe apprectated,
•
6-Marriage, date, place ..........A~~-~.:t. . . .9..,. . J~:9..S.:9. . . . .::... .~.9.:D.~..~-pg__,______;rt~.9.h~.g-~P...............................................................................................
(a) Wife's maiden name, birth, place.........W.gY.9......J.grt~t.....{O.s..t.r .o.t.h).....~.....J.anuar y.....28.,.....l
912.,.....Ionia
If there were subsequent marriages, pLease g ive i nformation .
7-Children, names, date and place of.birth. v/:ation, nan1es of married daughters
M r l ene Ann Johns Jan 20
33
.
Minis t ers '.rif'e
( Sandus ky Ohio )
(a).-------··- fL .........--·----·----·-----------·-·---·-·····-·······---Aurora·.,-I-11 p.esidence ·····-R#+-····-.·····Kent·on·;·OHi-o·····---·-········--··-··························-----··----·-(b >------·--·-----------------·-·---------·---·--·-..- ------......................±fov----·1 3/36..·- Residence --·-·M-i-nis·ter-•--s···inf'·e·····(·Indi·ana:....Nor·th)--·(c).....-..-..~~~~----·~~y""';g~_9._~-----·---------···3.::~~Y..~.!..~ .,..~ Residence .......l.f:?J Q_
___.fig_:,r_yg_r..d.....l.?.l :V...~.d-~.....D.ayto.n .,......Ohi.o
.
..
.
(d) ...........c·~-;~i-- J~-~-~: B~-~ -~-~·t·t--·--nct'~ ~4743 Res~dence ......S.t'ucfe1i t" . Iri.....Ri.... h ....scho.o i. . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . .~. . . . ..
(e) ....._.......................................................................................AdT-1-a-n............ Res1dence ......13-24--...L ane-----Bl v·Yd .... - Ka-l:am-a-zeo·.,---·-M:t:eh.
(f) .........................................................................._........................................................ Residence .............................................................................................................................................. ..
If children have at tai ned prominence, please gi ve i nformation an d any other information of interest.
8-Education-schools attended. Give names and locations
.
(a) R\f~bfi:hools........-.........................................................-............. -..... (b) High schools..........~~n s.ing ........J!~e.nt..r.a1.....~.....19.28.............
(c) College .... ~.~.Q.....!'1?..~9..;r._ ~..,......L.~P...s.;t.n g _-:::.l 9.3Q(d) University ..............................................................................................................................
(e) Seminary ......~..~-~--!!..§..! .....N~m..;r.Y:LJ..l~.~.J:9.35.(f) Degrees held ......l.Ionor.ar.y. ... D.... D........~.June .....lO, .....l 9..57
North Central Coll ege
(g) Correspondence courses ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
9-Christian experience and training
(a) Conversion, when, where, under whose labors........ Apr.il....l0., .....~924.....-Lan .s.i ng.- Qr.......M........Albi.g..........
.
(b) Religious training .......~~8~-g~l~ar·~-~~~l~~:P ~.l'r.a.ining .....c.er.t.i f.i .ca.t e.;......... Evang..eli.cal.....
(c) United with church, when, where............Ma.y.,..l 92fl...Fir.s .t ....Ev....Church-... - .... La.n s-i -n th.....M-i-chi-g-an
(d) Offices held in
10-Ministry
.,. . . G.l..c;.~.$~.~-e.g_d.e.r..}.....G.ho.ir.~..........
Ioc~i¥-'¥g~6f.;-~-§uri~·a·~~ahg;~-t'~·~ij_-~:-r.
(a) Vocation before entering the ministry.......f:'.~.§.-~P..~.4. . B?..~.4.::.§~7.;Y~.G.~.....B.~.P -~......B.e..o....Mo.t .or. ..... G..a.r......C.o.•..
(b) Call to ministry, when, where experience............J..'!J.l.Y.~.l932.....a..t .....Lake..side.... As.s embly., ....Br i ghton
..........................~.!.~PB.~.4......~.9.....~P-~-~-~..... ?..~w.±P.~. ...~.t......N.g,p~_r._v.i.lle.......t.he.......s.a.me......f..a ll ..-..............................................................
Use addi ti onal sheet of paper if necessary.
(c) Recommended by Congregation.~.~ .t... ...~~-~..~-~G..?~.....::.... 1.9P..~.i.P.g.....................P astor....Re..v....ID. ...lC.......!ISlti'g)t r
(d) Licensed, when, where, Conference........... B.y.....Mi .c higan.....Conf..er.enc.e.....- .....1933........ . .......... ........................................ .
(e) Ordination, Deacon........l.9.3.5.: ..........................................Elder ...............l 937....................................................I tinerancy ........~./-'f.'?~..!:[
GiYe Datu
(f)
Credentials, from ..........................................................................................Denomination, to..................................................................................................................
Also Confer ence
. -Past~~~~~i1fi:h:r93~~J~2j~~ili~ti!i-~~-~-l.i§~2~~~·;.Ma~;-~;-;~~·:a;i·;~;-~.8.:.i945~·5·5:· ·
11
Confer ence Super int endent - lc;j~-
'
Director of You th
tl!ork~
Conference Director of Christian
12-0ffices held in Conference.....~_g_P.,G..9..t.:b.9.P..... , .....P..:r.~..e:i.4.~At..........!.~.!......~.9.~.r.g_ ;....P..~~.$.. ~.....T.:r.Jd.~ . t.~.~---··:S..o.~ .r.g _!!
Also other denomination:s, if any.
(a) P . E . or D. S., (dates) ............ G.9nf..~.r..§.n~~~--~~~~~-~~~!~·g·~-P:t.......~W.~.$..t......P..:i..s..tr..i ..G
.t . . .~.....l955....to. ..._
e
Mil:w.g,:qJ<;.~.e. . ..l92f... .~.....R.g_;r._;r..;i._$._PP.:r.K....l9.5.B....::::=:-:~. ~f.02-
(b) Delegate to Gen. Conf., (dates) .........
(c)
Other offices, held, name, date....................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Give fuLL lists.
13-Literary productions, books written.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. .
(a} Pamphlets and other productions .............................................................................................................................................................................................................
14-Political affiliations and offices held ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... .
15-0ther information that will .be appreciated if available ................................................................................................................................................. ...
(a) Number of miles traveled ........58..2.. ,.Q.9.Q...................... (b) Sermons preached ........1.6.50...................................................................
(c) Conversion ......Q.QQ........ (d) Baptisms........130.0.. (e)Weddings......250........ {f) Funerals .......... 7.0.0............................................. .
· d mto
·
the ch urch ....................................
680
(.St a t.lS t.1C ~ ..c"
(g) M emb ers recelVe
t o "' g u are . t en t a ti ve f 1gures
·
)
16-Salary, highest amount received,..6..,.2.0.0.•..0.0.........year ........~9.58...................... lowest ......$7.50~~---··············· year ... l -93.5................
17-Fraternal relations ...........................................................................................................................................................................................·........................................................................
IS-Interesting experiences ...................On ....the......~.1Ba.s.s.e.t.t.1 ~...... s.ide......of..... tha ....hous.e.,......I .... hav.e......thre.e.....i.fuc..les
\vho are Ministers
and one coUBin that is a Catholic Nun.
On my wife 1 s side vTere her Grand-Father Albert
······················································································'--·······-·······-················································--··········'·····························································································································································
her
· · · · · Fath(fr·;·· ··ne"Iba;>·t ·1····lier·· · uncTe·· · ci!"Iito-r.i··· -snii"th;·····an.-a····n6\;r···ha·:r····br.6thei•····no:n··· tys·t ·:r·oth
e
of Ohio
..........."l,.Iho.....W..e.I!.e a ll....m~nl..S.ter..s.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Of our childr.e n
Marlene married Richard Johns
··········-s-a.n:e.uslt:y···EUB········aha·····nonna····m~irri·e·a····Br0"6·ks····rre·c"k·····6r····-rnai·ruiai····wo·:rth···EUB··~·········ca::ro·l ,
19-Remarks.............is.....t .t ill....a.t ....ho:m.e.,. .....and..... ha.sn..t..t ....deci.d.eii....her. ....-lif.~..... .s.....-partne.r . ...................................
Note:We are desirous of securing for the Historical files of the Michigan Conference complete and detailed
information concerning all ministers -..yho have served and are now serving in the Conference. The above outline
is intended to assist in securing such information in more or less uniform outlines. We urge the addition, on a
separate sheet, of such other important and interesting information as cannot be conveniently placed on this blank.
In the case of men riow living, the information can, of course, be only up to date. Photographs of living and deceased ministers, diaries, letters and documents of historical interest are earnestly solicited. Your co-operation
in behalf of the Conference Historical work will be greatly appreciated. Kindly return the blank to the Conference Historian.
Rev. Wendell C. Ba sset t
.Minil"ter·s
~ecord-~ichigan
Conference
This info rmation is being gathered for h istorica l purpos.:s
/
1)/_~!'!__c:_~_':_':_ ____c;_~~-'!_~!'!___.]A~_>_~'? (a)
1-Name .____ _
(b)
If decc1ed, date of deat h ---------------------· (c)
2-Fathcr's name . .J2t:JY.~!>. ....~y. ....'fill~~-~?Z..(a)
3-Mother's name
-!_c:_~y__(_2._!ft!.f.=.!0J.~~~~~~-~~--'!!/-'cl/.
Date, place of birth ___
Place of burial ___ ______________ ____ _____________ ____ ______ ________________________ ,
Birth, date, place ______tY..o/-..~-~ -.1/r£
..-:...~~~(-~!.~. M
1(.//.
;t[~~!-~ __ g .____7T.."l.~~~-~?:...!a) Birth , date, pla~e ..-:/~-~---?:!!·~ .. /f.f l-::.....M~~i!!.~5.~ ..M~dt.
If father or mother w.:re p: o :ninent g ive informa tion on >cpa ra t~ ' hett
4-Brothers
5-Sisters ...!!.~.C:~~~~-'=--~:!-~-~-~~q_J_~~~~:-~~-~- ,.i. ....~'(-~.~!.'?::8.. .....(!.~_1?. _____ (!1!7.r?.f-!-!/.r:~..::-.. b8tY-~1'#.~ A11cf/.
Names a nd plac~s of residen('~, if livin~. will be a~pr~ci:lted
6-Marriage, date, place ---------~~~ -~~r..
(a)
..!l...,.. !.J.~.'!.. ....L .......~~~"!.~-:!.~~---::....~-~-~-~-':~t.?:.J..~.~q!..§-..-fl/)1'
Wife's maiden name, birth, place ........J!!'}.~!J.
.... :J'!.~~~----(?~;::~'!.?':~~--~~~-g_(,:!_!!o?....--:..~o:!:!.~ ~..t:..t
If there were subsequent marriages, I> l~ a ~e give information
7-Children, names, date and place of birth. vocation, names of married daughters
(a) ____l!'}.('!~-~~~~ --~~~-':.~..!t:!'!.:!:'!.J.!.9 .}}__:: _~~ft~~~~den<'e
_____ (_ ~y_ ______ ___________________________________________________ _
(b) . ..... ·----- ------ .................................... ............... -·-.--..... -- .... --.--· Residence_______ __ _____ _______ ____ _.......... -------------__ ___ ---------------------·
(c)
Residence ·-. -·------- ... ---·--- .. -------.. --------------------------------·......... .. -.... . . .
Rcsiden<'e
(d:~ --------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------(e) ................. .................................................. ................ ..... ..... ---.. -... -- .. -............. . . Residence .. --- ---- --------------.---------------------------------------------------·
• - - - - . - - ..... - . .. - • y .... . - .... .. ...... - - - - - - - - - .. - - - - - - - · - · -- - - - - - - - . - .. - - .. .. ........... - .- - >'
(f) ·'·· ________ _____ __ ________ __ __ ____ . ___ ___ _______________________ ___ _Residence
If childr~n have att:\ined promintnce , pl~a~e give inforn:~ tion and any othor information of interest
8- Education-r~chools attended. Give names and locations
(a)
Rural schools ____ 61?~~~~~-~--~~~!~.:~~~!:- (b)
High schools .... .1.·.~-~-!f..-:_...y_§: __ __(..{!_~tf..... :.J.-?.~.o_~_?-:, __ _::. ~ Z.7 6
(c)
College ..... ___________ __ _---------------------------------- (d)
University ·--·------··. -- -·-.......... -- ---- -..... . ------------------------------
(c) Seminary' ·· El-19/t'
GEL /C "~ L
771Eot.
-- · -··-- ·-····-·--·----·---···· ...oGtc..IH........ ... . (f) Dt·p:rces held·-------------- ------------------------------------------- ----(g) Correspondence courses ____ b~~-Y-!f:-?.~...li'P.e.~~~?:"~~~::~~0?·--":-. ___.f~~--~~r.~~- - -~~~---<""'-~-:t.~ -v.s/"'<7.
{}-Christian expnienr.e and training
(a) Conversion, when, ~herP, under whose labors_ ___ /../~-~--=- -~~-~::_-;~-~---~ -- -- !f~l(.: __ _q~~:..."i.:~:_~-·--- -(IJ)
(c)
ll<'ligious training __ fi_~-~ -----Jf:~~-t:..C..~?:'!!!'!.1 ..!-.~~p~~!?!!.t:'.. ...(P..~~-~f....~.----- ... ... .... . ... -- - ·--- . . ·· ---- ,-- -- - -- -United with church, when, where ........ ../... l~-~--- ::-::.........~~~~~~----· -::. ..~~~-':".. ..ff.C:..':!!!:..f?..~.~-~-'=-~-!-- .
(d) Offices held in local church__ __ ~~~~~----!?=-~-~~-;;.~-~ -:: -~~~: -~-:':.:~.:-:?.: ..-:... ?.:~~~-~~-~-::-.. f..lf.~~~£.. .~~!P.€..VT.
lQ-Ministry
(a)
Vocation before entering the ministry__ _______q_~:.-~-~~-----·0--~~-~----=---~':"'~.
~~~'?..~--0..~-- --q,":':!E."J..~
(b)
Call to ministry, when, where e.xperiell('P ______ f'~~-~-~[-= /f.!.~ -/---BZ __~~~-~~~-=----· a~~;. IY..r.?~~)'Z]"'j
..
12:..~~~:!..'!!..~ ......!-!J:.-..~.-~:.?:P."'!.~:.~~:..~.':'.~..J..PI?.~C:.1.~...??~"~5.~@.!......«1'!.~-":!.!!?..'.~.t!..~':".~~---~~~-Y~~.es
dP
t>v' riY-~" '-Oh¥6.
Use additiona l >heet of pa\Jer if no:('ess:uy
(c)
Recommended by Congn·gation 4 fL -f.'::.'?..'!( ...-:...~.'"'!.:~~!.~"!:-~---- pastor______&:_.___ -:P:_~_: __q~!:.~:<:>_<:.~.,
(d)
Licensed, when, where, Conference ....... !'1./()'_-::. ..~f..-?_}. __; _ft..~!f~.if:...t;;,~~~-/-(l/_(_~_/(__ ; ____~!.<::.tf..,~.. . /l.:Y.#
(e) Ordination, D eacon,
Give d3 tes
(f)
.. · ...... ... .... -· ---- --- .. -- ---- ---- ----
Elder .
· -- -- -· -- -- · · --- -- · -- - -- -· -· --· · ·
u..,
L ,
Itinerancy
.. · · .. ................ ~ --·----- - ----- - --·-
Credentials, from______ .. __ .-- ----------- -------______ ______ ___ Denomination, to. ______ __________ ______ -- --------- -------------- ---ALo Conference
where·------~JUF.! .. .. ~~!!1(<f.~-~/(;_-9.~----~~~-c-~ 1_____ ::?;:..~-~~?::.~~-/--:!J:.1:/K"ots,
..~-r:..~~<!.?'":.~~----~--':(_ _,_ !:j_~ J. ./,9.~~-1- - . _, . - . - -......... .. . .... -- -·--·------·--·· ·-------------------· ,__________ _
It-Pastorates held, when,
.
12- 0ffices hel.d in Conference ______·__':?_c:e7::=. ...·~~-·.
v~-~~-~-- - -!f~.e~.e:~- -- -~~~~~~ -v_______________ __
Also !Jth.:r denom~iio11 s , tf a11y
.
(a) P. E. or -D . S. , (date1;)
,
-
· --------------
· ----------- --- -------i\ ~~~-~ii-,ii-1~ ~ ~ -5~~;.~J · · · · · · · · · · · ·------------------ -------------- ·----- ------- · · · · · · ·-- · ·-- ----
(b)
D elegate to Gen. Conf. , (dates)....... ... .. ....... .. ...... ....... .. ...... .... .. ....... ................ ..... .. ........ ... .. ___________ __ __
(c)
Other offices held, name, date
-- ----·--· ···' ·········-···-·c; ive
· r~·u
li;is_________ -----.....-------------·------------------------------------
·------------- ----------- ----- ----- ----.------ --------------------- - ------------------------------ --------
13-Literary productions, books wri ttpn
(a)Pamphlets and other productions
14-Political affiliations a nd offices held
~ -- --
-------------------------· ---------------------
-- -- ------:--.:..:-- ------ ----:--------- -------------------...
------------------------------------:~~ --
--------....... ----------- ----------- ------------- ------------------ -------
.----------------------------·-----
·--- ---------------------------------------------------------·--.. ----- -- ---.----------------- ----------------
15-0ther information that will be upprC'ciatecl if available. .
travel~<!. _______ _____/:f~L?.. ........:.. ~-- ---· (b)
(a)
Number of miles
( c)
Conversions ----~c:?......(d) Baptisms------------ -- -- _(e)
(g)
M embers received into the church. ______ ____
·Sermons
preachc_~----------~Z__________ :~-~------
Weddings_____ ______ ______ __(f)
_!z _______________ _
Funerals
.. ......... , . ... .... ..
. 16-Salary 1 highest amount received, -----~._$:'yq__~_~ __ _Year ...if:-?.'~_::t"lowest --- --~---- ---J'ear_______:-:-:::_ _________
-----------------------------------·---------· --------- -- --- -------- --------_; ____------- --·-- ----------------------------·-- .--- _._-- .. -...
17-Fraternal relations
.
i8- Interesting experiences----------·---------- -.. -- -- -- ----- ---------------------------------------.----- ------------------ ------- ------- ----- ------------------------------------- ------- --- ---- ---.--- ------- -----------------------------... --.- . ------. -.-.-.. -.--- ------------·------ --------------------- --------
-------------.----------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------------... ---.----- .... -- -------------------- --------· .... .. -.----- --.--- ...... --. ---.-.--.- -- -.-.. ---- ------------------------ . . --.--.. ---.. -----------------.-------.-.- .. ----.-.-.-.-.. ... -. - .. --.-.-- .. -- ---- .... .. . -. -·--- ·; -- .. . . . . ----------------
-··------------- ----------------------------------------------- ------------ ------ --- .. -- --- --.---.------ .---·
19- R cmarks----------------------------------.------4·.- -------.----------- --------- ---------------.---------------------------------------.---------------
. ------- .-- .-------------- --------------------------------
~ -- ~
--- - - --- ------- --- --- -- --- . - - - .- . ---- - --- - - - --- --------- - - ---- - - - - -- --- - - --- - - -- --- ------- ---- - - -------- ------------ --- --- ·-- . - -.- . -.- - - - - - - - - - - J- ; --- ---- --- .. --- -- ---- - - -
-------- --- ---------------------------------- -------- ----- .. --- ----- ----- ----- ---·- ------ ------ ---- ---- ------- .- . ---------------------·-----.----. -.-- -- -- .-----.- -- ~ -----
20- This blank was fi lled out, dat e .....&"e~~~ - -~/;?.!J.. .Place, · ...:.-!./!.__~--~~--=:..~'!.!.':.....~.. -~/1_/!·'f.~':..~~~-~J.JiL,
Bywhom
_df::. ..~·---~
. . . '· :
Note:W e are desirous of securing for the Historieal files of· the Michigan Conf~rence complete and detailed
informat i9n conrerning all ministers who have sr.rved and are now serving in t he Conference. The above out line
is intended to assist. in securing such information in more or less uniform outliiles. We urge t he addition on a
separa.te sheet , of such other important and interesting information a.s cannot be cqnveniently placed on this blank!.
In t he case of men now living, the informat ion can, of course, be only up to date. Photographs of living and
derrased ministers, cliaries, lett ers and documents of historical interest a re earnestly solicited . Your co-operation
in behalf of the Conference Historical work will be greatly appreciated. Kindly return the blank to the Conference Historian, W. H. Watson, Kalamazoo 11 1)1:icbigan.
I
-
Resume For
Wendel~
£• Bassett,
rr.D.
- Trained and employed by the Beo Motor Car Company of Lansing,
1926-1932 factory road service and eng1neer1n~.
- Graduated from EYangelical Theological Seminary, Naperville
Ill~nois in 1935·
Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from
NGrth Central Colle~e in 1958. Additional trainin~ at the
Union Theolo~ical Seminary in New York, 1942.
- Director of Youth Work, Michigan conference of the
United Brethren Church from 1938 for ten years.
Evan~el1oal
- Pastorates 1n Marcellus, Nashville, Bl1ssf1eld, and CalTar,y
Detroit for ten years, 1945-55·
- Elected District Superintendent, West District, E.U.B. Michigan
Conference, for ten years - 1955-65.
- Executive Secretary for the Michi~an Council of Churches,
1965-68.
Member of the National Council of Churches Exec. Comm.
- Assistant General Secretary and Director of the Section on
Programs, Division of Health & Welfare, Global Ministries
Board, 1968-1974, Evanston, Illinois.
- Retired from West Michig~ Conference, June-1974, and from
Global Ministries, July- 1974~ with a total of 41 year• serTice
to the Church •
- Residence in retirement•
518 w. Prairie St - Hastings,
M1chi~an 49058 (summers)J
and 2915 Roger StreetHammock Mobile Estates,
S!bring, Florida 33870 (winters).
-
Mar~led
August 9, 1930 to Wava ostroth, a ministers daughter.
Three daughters• Marlene Johns, pastors w1fe a~ Faith Un1ted
Methodist Church, Lans1ngJ Donna Heck., , pastors wife at
F~rst United Methodist Church, wauseon OhioJ
and GarGl Panse,
wife of a High School teacher, Otsego, Michigan.
~i endell
Confer ence
Calvin
i~n ss<!tt
S uoerintendent--~955-1962
\ endell Calvin Bassett, son of Roy and Bes&ie Smith Bassett, was born in Nashville,
Michigan, July 13, 1909. He was one ef a f a:ni l y of four chil dren, the onl y son.
His educntion was secwaed in t he public schools at Nashville, in Lansing Central
Hi gh School, in a technical school at the Reo Motors Co. and at E ~~elica l Theoloical Seminary. ln 1957 he was granted the honorary degree of Doctor Divinity by
North Central College.
His conversion to the Christian Way occurred .4pril lOp 1924 in Lansing during the
pastorate of Re''• o. :~ . Albig. Soon after his conversion he unitP.d with the lansing church. he became active in his home church and at various times hel d the offices of Pr~si dent of Christian Endeavor, ol.ass l eader, Choir director 11 and Sunday
School t eacher.
Ear:cy ho f ound employm:mt with t he Reo l1otor Co. as a Trained Road..Service Represent ative. Curing several of t hese early years he seems to have been struggling with
a call to the Christi an Ministry. Aft er r esisting the call for time, with gr eatly
troubled spirit, he .finally ended the struggl e a nd obeyed the call at an altar of
pr ayer at Lakeside Park Assembly in July 19.32. That fal l he began hi r. Seminary
traini.ng., at E. T.s ., Naperville, Illinois.
As a pastor h0 served t he followiL'lg charges, - Symerton, Ill. (student pastor) ,193.3-34;
Marcellus, ~35-38 ; f~shvillc, 1938-42; Blissfield, 1942- 45; Detroit Cal vary, 194555· In 1955 he was el ected as a ~onference Superint endent. Assigned to the West Distri ct of t he Michigan Confer ence he served i n this position for t ea years, until
1965. At tha t time he was or.:·ered the position of Executive D ir~ctor of the .Michi gpn Council of Churches , which poeitio:J. he accept ed a nd in \ihich posit ion he ~ till
serves (Augus t 1966).
As a pastor Dr . Bassett served very ef'fectivelyo Hi s best past,orat e was at Calvary
Church Detroit wher~ he served !or t en years and uitnessed a good grov~h in his
church. During thio pastorat e t he new sanctuary of the church Has er ected. He was
particularl y a ctive in t he £ e ld of youth work a nd Christi an Education. He served
as Confer ence Diaector of Youth work, a s Conference Director of Christian Education,
as presi dent of tho board of Christian hndeavor, as president of the Conference
trust ees and as oha innan of t he Confer::nce Council of Administration. He served on
nwnerous other boa1"da and committ ees of the Conference . In Conference aff airs he
served ably as an administrator.
Three ti.&ilee the Co11fe1..cnce honored him by election as a deleg&te to the General
Conference. For
of t he Board.
se~ral
year3 he served on the Haven Hubbard Board and was secretary
August 9,1930 he was united in roarriage with 1ias Wava Janet Betroth, daught er of
Rev. and Mrs. D. C. Ostroth. To thei r marria~ e three daughters were born, Marl~~e,
(Mrs. Richard Johns) , Donna (Ur s . Brooks Heck ), and Carol (Mr s . Panse) . The Bassett
f amily have many r elgious t ies. On the Bassett side of the hOusehold three uncles
are ministers and one cousin i s a Catholic nun. On the OstDDt h side, t he grand
father, a gr eat uncl e, the father, an uncle, a brot her and ~wo sons-in-laws are
minist ers, Certainly a great r eligious heritage .
In his present position Wendell Bassett has an important field of Christian service.
Here he should r ender a great seevice to the churches of Yic 1igan and to the Kingdom
at large.
w.
H. Watson,
Conference Historian.
C_Y\LOLOV~
Special Council of Administration - Michigan Conferenoe
January 6, 1965
This presentation and request for adoption of recommendation comes
after weeks of suspension and worlds of rumor regarding the opening
for new Executive Director to t m Michigan Counc:J,:! of Churches.
·
On May 26, 1964 Bishop Marshall Reed, Chairman af the Personnel Committee
under assignment to secure a new Executive Director, confronted me at the
Board af Directors meeting in Ypsilanti, Michigan,· asking li' I would be
will to hold interview with his committee on this matter of office.
I told him I was not mu~h interested, and would nat make any kind of
application or seek sooh an office. I did admit it had been an ~njoyable
experience to serve as President of the Michigan Council of Chtn'Cheso
Nothing happened (except rumors everywhere), until Dr Lies emer told me
I was to be interviewed by the Personnel· Committee in Detroit on December
17, 1964"
Two days· later I received the formal request in writing f'rom
Dr Robert Yelton, secretar.y of Personnel Committee.
The interview was
held on that date.
Dr Grover Hartman, Executive Director for the
Indiana Council of Churches (J;.ridianapolis, Indiana) was interviewed the
same morning •
Nothing happened officially until Dec~mber 29 1 1964 when I received another
letter f:::'om Robert Yelton saying that the Personnel Committee had unanimous~ .
voted to request my accepta~ce.
On Wednesdqy afternoon of December 30~ 199.
I wrote a letter of acceptance.
This was done after conferring with
Bishop Mueller (before his departure for Eurmpe) and with Bishop H. R.
Heininger who is now tEJ}dng responsibilitiPa f 1:':" West Central Area.
The acceptance of invitation fr om the M:tclli3.:m Council of Churches
and
the conversations with both Bishops provid<' ~:he basis f or trn following
recommendation:
"In view of the pressed circums't',ances of th'3 Michigan Council of
Churches and the present r esponsibilit.Y held ~Y w. c. Bassett as
Conference Superi~tendent of the West Distric·~. •.. M:tcbig:m Conference.,
recommendt
1. That we r e cognize his r e sponsibilities with the Michigan Council
o£ Churches shall tegin with January 15_. 1965.
2~ That any time, travel, or other expenditures necessary for the
su~cessful completion of his work this year, and for the remainder of his short~term until May-1.965~hall be paid by£:W..Q.~
the Michigan Conference Treasurer to the Mioaigan Go\H'loi-1 of
Churches upon submission of an Expense Vouche;.J using the
cu..-rrent rate of salary far time and the current rate of travel
al:!.ewance far oar 0
The vouchers to be submitted weekly•
W~ th~efare
All parishes have had one specific Local Conference on their field as
required cy .AnnU8.l Conference acti on.
All GToup Local Confere nces are
n~r in progresso Thcrf, will be nine of t.hem.
All banquets are projected
and dat es clecr-ed 0
All Past or ...Pa.T."ish C omm~.t.·bce 1.nterviews are set or
being modified int,o the t,ime ..schedule 0
This request is respr:~ ct.fully submitted after thi.rt.y-two yeDrs of mi:nistry
with tiD Et'B Chnrch and t r.n years ~ Bupcrlnten113f't of Michigan Conference 0
--
•
A'~"~ri l
1",
lf'l :-<.4
·~nc los ~d ,
i.nfor,..,.., ti on
yo·t ·vill fiY~d t 'l1o hl <>nk f'i11 Pd nut for
contri.hntiv<=> to th P CnT'f'c>r'H"' P Ei.c;tor, •
.'/r-> h~v c ~oen h .-.,· · nr <:;f),.,..,.,. nf' tho .... nc:;t })p.-.nti_f'l ll <:;T'y> ; Y1 .P"
·yp qtl-)er herP CJt :J·mervil l e .
I •'TO' llc1'1 ' t ohio"t if' t"'o
sqrne c:;e'lson could continne thrf"nr., - "'lt LhP yel'l. r ·
'l' Od~=tv the
sun is sh;'1in~t ·v!:lr1""11 y , f' ollo··ri'!1r- q t"hn'1d 0 r - c:;h o..,or of' lAc;
ni P"ht ·
.'fa.vo '"'Ti i I ljr.~yr> "'<=>PY' rn..,l hus 'J +l-,-ic:: C::T'y>; Y10" o
" !P "'ro
f'indi.nv"' ~reqt d~~ l of' ~oy ;,.., sPrr\Y1n- thp SvMorton ~'11orr-P .
I "hon e the 111:110 -i c; CnT'f' P:r" """·~~ ·v ill_ ""....,"-~"it to ~""1'1t P · ;~r-.ip-"ln
rra.n there etP'l'in th i" .t~~ril ,
~"Von th "'llfTh +"'"'1"" "'r~"' nn'~" ' )o rc:;
of Illi,....oi'l "!'en 'b'3p-r.,.inp +"or .,,0rl{ in st11dont ,.,h .... rr-"''1•
It ·ras roy hone to ho <>'-1 "' t'J ...,Lt E"'1d +rr "i.;., ~ p-!> -n
C -:-nfe rence
this yeqr ,
1-:>ut it C)Pf'TT''> t"'n PXY'I 0 ns e "1 1")111"1 hp
too f"ro~=>t .
i.o·1ever , '1°Xt yo"r I <>TJ1 1-)n.,.,in~ to hp "~'1--,l p
'to r e~ie v e ordinRtion as Des:>~on .
r e~l
on~
O'lr little !.~?.r l e ne ic:; •;qllr in,rr ~11 r--vor -no-rr.
Sho h8s
curl y h'lir q'1d hlue oyec; .
i:.~r vo0::>'\;nl"r:r 'ic:: rrrn··"i-!"'p:,
•ord ~ t ~ ti ~e .
'.1.' rnc;tinn- the df''> ir ed
the hl~nk s:>c; f'ilE d out .
in<'orM <'~ti on
-..ours
•; i l l. 1-.o _....n'l'1cl in
Si.ncPr~'>ly
~ e. ~
lOLl-
N . Slnirht St
NAT'IE"rvi.lJ ~ ,
Ill .
MRS. WAVA J· BASSETT, widow of the Rev. Wendell C. Bassett, died July 11 in
Kissimmee, Fla. She was born
on Jan. 28, 1912, to the Rev.
Delbert and Anna Ostroth in
Ionia, Mich. She was married
to Wendell C . Bassett on Aug.
9, 1930. They had three
daughters: Marlene Johns,
Lakeview, Mich.; the Rev.
Donna Heck, Kissimmee, Fla.;
and Carol Panse, Holland,
Mich. All survive, along with
many grandchildren. Mrs. Bassett played piano and led
women 's group s, singing in
choirs, s tory telling, tea ching
Sunday school, and ser ving
with her husband in EUB
churches. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett
moved to central Florida when
h e retired as the Associate
G en eral Secretary of the Board
of H ea lth ~nd We lfare M in istries in Evanston, II I. A
m em orial ser vice was h eld at
Lansing: Calvar y UM C on
Aug . 3 . Condolences m ay b e
sent to Mrs. M arlen e Johns at
62 2 1 Honeymoon Dr., L akeview, MI 48850.
Detroit Annual Conference
The United Methodist Chu.rch
Information for Memoirs
Name___!;L~·J-~
· . o...~v_!::::CA.~
· · --=---_j:::::::...~:. .: . . :ne~. = -=t: :._·_~O~
s +~r~oi:.....!...h~__:B~a7=s~s~e·i. :. :.{.: :. . _·
(first)
·(middle) · .
:2 ~ -· J q I Z
(m~iden) ·
-ro·
(last)
t'Vl.i (, J.u.cJ .A rJ
Fi"rst and .l ast nameS of pa~ents. K~v.. De.·) be.v-t ·~cl (-) n n~ <J S-fY"o+Jv
Birth date
/ _:
Birth place .
h. i
c"-
1
·
Date of admission _ __;______ to the_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Conference
m
.c..~LLtA s
N h. J; LLe_ b \,Q,£ s-£; efd '
\)d vo ; t ~I \J"-Yj ~ c~&!.J:/ I~ h!-Mi:.~+. , L
~ ~)
Congregations served
.·
D~te of death
7
lA..'f
j;, }d. cv ';, Place of death )< ,· &S j m
. '
.
I
Ct:..i,'
m e.e
I
f"i... o v; dVL
Age at death
Please enclose a copy of an obitu ?-Iy' and a pictUre . Th_e picture will _be returned.
.
.If you wish. to
··.. High
.
(!.d~ information tha~ is not printed. in the obi_tuary·, please do so belo">Y. .
.sch~oVcolle~e·infor~·at·i~n · . .
. .
~ · ·h·-~· .. _:· il ~ f~
~
I .
Ho!lors/awards
(
~ ~ · ~J
90
Calvary United Methodist Church
Lansing, Michigan
Cel•~bration
of Life
for
Wava Janet Ostroth Bassett
January 28, 1912 - July 11, 2002
August 3, 2002
10:00 AM
Prelude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Schaberg
Call To Worship .. . ... . . ... . ... ... .... . ..... Marlene Johns
Invocation . .. .. . ...... .. . .. .. ........ . . . ... Marlene Johns
Hymn .... . ... . .. . ...
Scripture Readings . .. ..
Psalm 27:1-6
John 14:1-6
0
0
• • • • •
•
••
0
•
••
•
•
"It Is Well With My Soul"
•
• • • • • • •
0
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Carol Panse
Memorial Thoughts
Prayer ...... . . . .. . ..
0
••
0
•••
•••
•
••••
••
•
Rev. Donna Heck
•
Message ..... . .. .. .. .. .. ...... ...... . .. Rev. Donna Heck
Hymn . .... ..... .... . ...... . "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
Benediction ...
Postlude ..
0
•
•
0
•
••••
•
•
•
•
0
•
0
•
•
•
•
•
0
•
••
0
••••
0
••••
0
•
•
0
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rev. Donna Heck
•
David Schaberg
A Committal Service will be in Nashville, Lakeview Cemetery at 3:00
PM today. Memorial contributions may be made to the first United
Methodist Church, 101 Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, Florida 34741
In Loving Memory
Wava Janet Ostroth Bassett was born on January 28, 1912 to Rev.
Delbert and Anna Ostroth in Ionia, Michigan. She had three sisters,
Hazel who died in early childhood, Elva Hutson (deceased),Heleln
Alexander of Sarasota, FL, and one brother, Rev. Don Ostroth
(deceased).
As a minister's family, they moved from Detroit, MI, Somerville, Mass.,
Colorado Springs, Colo. and Lansing, MI. She graduated from Lansing
Central High School in 1930.
She was married to Wendell Bassett on August 9, 1930. They had three.
daug]Jlers: Mylene ..J2b.o_s, Lakeland, FL, ~Heck,
Kissimmee, FL and Carol Pans~ Holland, MI who survive lief. Wava
had eleven grandchil(ifeif, Rick J9hns, Rev. Doug Johns, Dianne
Smith, Jodi Sullivant, Jill Johns, Wendy Boulware, Brad Heck, Carlene
Skiles, Karen McNees, Steve Panse, and Michael Panse. Sixteen great
grandchildren also survive her. She has left a legacy of several Pastors
in these families.
Wava was a wonderful Pastor's wife playing piano and leading
women' s groups, singing in the choirs, storytelling, serving in Michigan
with her husband in the Evangelical United Brethren Church, a
predecessor of the United Methodist Church. Wava was caring and
loving, an encourager and a confidant. She was an artist and studied
interior decorating, but perhaps she was best known as a wonderful
ho stess and cook, entertaining people in her home. She was loved by
farnilyandfriends.To lether 1 We.l-'ldel..l-.. Wo...vo.- S<2.vve~E.L\~
Ck.u.A c.h.R..$ i V\.. VY\1\.v-c_uLu 5 N 1\..S 'h v!'LLe \3 1,oss ~i e.l d De.i'voil
~c.-. \ \iO..V 1..J. o...-0\.
0
~
-tk
'\:>\~,/h-i c::\- I'>~ W</s+ 'fY\A.L\v.~o.....,...l (o-y,-f~~t..L
Wava and Wendell moved to Central Florida when he retired from the
United Methodist Headquarters in Evanston, IL where he served as the
Associate General Secretary ofHealth and Welfare. Upon Wendell's
death, Wava moved to Good Samaritan Village in January 1988. She
moved into the Health Care Center in December 2001 after a
compression break in her back.
Wava died on Thursday, July 11 , 2002 in Osceola Regional Medical
Center, Kissimmee, FL
I
"
•
•
FAMU.-Y PARTICJPATION SHEET '
.
Full legal name of one being remembered:
Date of Birth: ~ )'"\ u.o..' '('
Spouseof
.DY".
1
18, , C, l 2-
lJJ 0c v Q.,
Ta-ne. t (o~Jn:Jb) B as seU:.
:1
Date of Death:
LA_
L
'5ct5 Seic
W eV\ cle.LL C-.
· JI ~
1S'b 1
02 c) o
::z
Married:
years.
· lde(..e.~se.d. )
.
.
Information for the shor.t Statement t.o be read dunng the servtce:.Words of celebrat10n
•
4.J~VA... T~-+ o~,-f~o-fh- 13.o..s-se-tt ,l,v--a..§ hoy~ -:l~cu-- 7 28 , 19/2. -t-o
1Z~v . "D~\beYi-~~ f-lnno.... Osfy-o-+J... ~·tt To,., ,·LX , ~L&d...... ., .\NWe, he.r
•
~a..T~
Wc...s
fo..s+ov o~
&1 vo.. 1 E llevvt~d,'c~{
h
G.~r-& ~ /.....&.-,.,s.....,J
t
~c-lr..
1
S.k.L.. ~~().. ~c1w~ 15~) IJ~(fVl:i>-r ~ ~ t?3o . ~ ~ rF~
C>~ _ih.u...
k-f~s- V\ltta.Y)~ Tc, H rJs 1J on no.. He!Lk. ~ Gvro L -Pt1-vr
0 Vc fi)
I
(
If member of a clergy family, please list kilown appointments in Detroit Conference; - C 1e.~ '1
cl;).t OR if lay person, please list church membership and conference/district areas of service & years.
·~
....+
,sb-e.:~ '·
(?o-
~
B I ; 55 t i e f d r; m
·1;) ~+ 1' C ~ }\) A Y'
YYt
O\..V1v...e.
Y"l>
'-t,
c
Name ofpersonls designated to come forward during the service (and relationship to deceased)
I
I
d~~I....+us Please reserve
,;{, seats for family & friends.
If you or members of your family are unable to attend this service, we hope you will contact a
friend who may participate in the service on the family's behalf Who will this person be:
Name:
----------------------------
Telephone: --------------- - - - -
Address: --- - - -- -- -- - - -- - - - -- -- - - - - -- -
Who should I contact if additional infonnation is needed: Relationship:
*
Name:
fh ~v- I ~
Address: 3 I ?- :q..
T ~
r-f e.o..--+ b
1-/ rJ.S
&l '1 h n \::2 y-.
Telephone:
1
clo...u.§' (-f._ t::::
~ lr, .3- lf :;;..-s-- 9 ~ 9 ,I
~L 13 6' ,e12. J
1
J::" L 3 3 8 6 0
I
Please feel free to write additional comments on the back of this form.
Please return this information sheet to me as soon as possible. A stamped return envelop is
enclosed for your convenience. If you have questions please call me.
Janice Caldwell. Memorial Service Coordinator
17543 Garfield, #G2, Redford, Ml 48240-2181
Telephone: 313-541-6171
*
E-Mail: caldwellpresumc@yahoo.com
~~
u .s e. )
fSd . ~-f Gloho..L ~ tJj-tlv_ ~
Q ~~ ,
'f"ho-.vl~ -:::r; J-/'rJS c~YoL ~nse.
o
L ( n.~ vw... L~-vr -LJ o..~+ e v
-Lr )
.
'• ~
:t •· t L\.
f-1 S ~ v ~ Q..'fe_.
~~ ~CAA..-+~ o-f' -f'f....L G-eV"~-e...-o..~t'\.-..-1>~
~f
o.._ctdv-esS' ~~ +~t- 5) slo ~
lo~~l HoV)~vY)Oo V\. Dv- ,
h. A K~ V/£ WJ tV'\.i ~
' ~ "1-[g,S' o
q ~CJ - ~ s z.. - rSs
o v
·.
EVANGELICAL UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH
W. C. BASSETT, D.O.
Superintendent, West Dlstrid
770 Three-Mile R~ad, N.E.,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
EM
3-0115
December 2a, 1964
To All Members OC The Conference CouncU ot Administration,
REt SJ)eciallz called full-council of adininistra.tion ~etirts
Janueq
i965 !i 9 A,M~t
the Central Office~
ror
!!!
2..
Most of you know there have been rtnors that I am under consideration
tor the otrice of Executive Direct<%' to the Michigan Council of Churches,.
Until Thurs~ ~ Decembar 17, 1964, these were merely supposit1ons and
Mmors. "The Gra~en seamed to knON' more about tre stoey than I;
This new tull-ti~ executive affico 1s just now open due to the resignation
of G• Merrill Lenox from the Michigan Council l"eSponsibility~ He will now
serV-e the Detroit Council only.- The General Assembly or the Michigan
Council or Churches,.January 121 1965, will vote an approval of tre
recommendation being made b,r the Personnel crOmmittee.ror the new full-time
Executive Director.
Todey-;, · I have been informed by the secretary that tba Pars onnel Committee
voted unanimously to request nzy- services f~ the new otfice. While this
situation will require decisions, and perhaps sane major adjustments,
tl'ere is no need to upset the present procedures _in the Michigan
ConfereDOe •
BetOl"e the General Assembly of the Michigan CoWlcil1 we must hold a
FulL-Council of Admi.rristration meeting for seine major eonsideratioos
related to the decisions at hand.
This Council meeting will replaee
the scheduled Executive Committee of the Col,lllcil previously announced
for January.
The .............
date is .._._
now _,..._.
set ........._
fort
----
-
Wednesd~
- Januar,y 6, 1965 • 9 A.M.
Central otfice Building.
Otil'er items ot business frcm tre previous agenda will ie considered. Too
enlarged Staff rill meet follcwing an early adjournment of the Council.
we will
appreciate your usual. lqya~ attention to this announcement due
t o its immediate impcrtance •
~dial~~s,
0J/J. ((/~/~ - . ~#--~·
w. c.
Bassett,
Chairman
.
Conference Council of Administration,
I
Lo11g Background of Service
Bassett New MCC Execu.tive Director
The Rev. Dr. Wendell C. Bass e tt of Grand Rapids was elected
Execu tive Director of the Michigai Council of Churches, Jan.
12, by the Council's General
Assembly in session at St.
David's Episcopal Church, Southfield, in suburban Detroit.
Dr. Ba. ett, the Council's Presdent for the past two years, succeeds Dr.· G. Merrill Lenox who
has been Executive Director of
both the Michigan and the Metropolitan Detroit Co u n c i 1 of
Ch urches.
Dr. Bassett, brings to his new
po t a long background of business and church-related experience. Trained for road-service
with an automotive company, he
graduat ed in 1928 and held positions in Automotive Engineering
and Factory Service.
He g•·aduated from Evangelical
Theological Seminary of Naperville, Ill. in 1935; received an Ron-
DR. WENDEL C. BASSETT
1\lCC E.:X•'CII(:i\·e Dil·ector
orary D.D. from Nor th Cenb·al
College in 1958; was ordained as
a minister in the Evangelical
United Brethren Church in 1935;
served pastorates in Michigan of
which Detroit-Calvary (1945-1955)
was the last before election as
Conference Superintendent i n
1955.
He has held this office for 10
years. He was Chairman of the
Div. of Christian Education for
the MDCC, 1952--54;; and Chairman of the Div. of Christian Education of MCC, 1955--57; a m ember of the Youth Work Section
of the National Council of
Churches, Div. of Christian
Education.
For 10 years he has been Secretary of the Board of Tru tees
of Haven Hubbard Memorial
Home (for aged); for eight years
Secretary - Treasurer of Central
(See 1\ICC 1\IEETING
Pa~·c
3)
MCC
(Continued from Page 1)
Committee on Benevolent Homes I
and a member of the Health and
Welfare Commission for the denomination, and for eight years
Trustee of the Evangelical The,ological Seminary, Naperville, ill.
F or the past two years, Dr.
Bassett has been the Preside~t
of the Board of Directors
MCC, and served as Chairman
of the Evaluation S tudy Committee, and an active member of
the Constitution and Bylaws Re·
vision Committee.
The concern for ecumenical
mission of the churches of Michigan has always employed his efforts through various channels of
the Michigan and the National
Councils of Churches.
The Rt. Rev. Archie H. Crowley, Suffragan Bishop of the Epis·
copal Diocese of Michigan, was
elected President succeeding Dr.
Bassett. Also elected as officers
of the Council were: Vice President, The Rev. Dr. John E. Marvin, Editor of the M i c h i g a n
Christian Advocate, Adrian; VicePresident-at-Large, the Rev. Dr.
Frederick H . Olert, Minister of
Central Reformed Church, Grand
Rapids; Vice-President-at-Large,
Mrs. Robert Shields, President of
United Church Women of Michigan, Detroit; Secretary, Mrs.
Clarence Kirnlp, Flint; Treasurer,
Mr. Russell Fairless, Senior VicePresident, Michigan N a t i o n a 1
Bank; Legal Counsel, Mr. Alvin
A. Neller, Attorney, La n s in g ;
Chairman, Business and Finance,
Mr. Lee Trumble, Treasurer,
M i c h i g an Baptist Convention,
Lansing.
Division Program Chairmen
elected were: Church in Society,
Rev. Dr. Arthur L. Farrell, Executive Director, Michigan Baptist
Convention, Lansing; Cluistian
Education, Rev. Dr. Duane N.
Vore, Chief Executive Officer,
Michigan Conference, U n i t e d
Church of Christ; Strategy and
Church Planning, Rev. Dr. Robert V. Woods, United Presbyterian National Missions Staff;
• Christian Unity, Rev. Dr. Howard
Christensen, Assistant to the
President, Michigan Synod, Lutheran Church in America; Christian Missions, Rev. Robert Hazen,
Minister, Pennway Church of
God, Lansing.
DR. WENDELL C. BASSETT, 76 , of
-Sebring, Florida, died April1 1 at his home.
He was raised in Lansing , an d received
his divinity degree from Garrett
Evangelical Theological Seminary in
Evanston , Ill. and his Doctor of Divinity
Degree from North Central College in
Naperville, Ill. For 22 years he served UM
pastorates in Symerton , Illinois , Marcellus,
Nashville , Blissfield , and Detroit. He was
district superintenden t of the West
Michigan Conference, executive director
of the Michigan Council of Churches and
the Associate Genral Secretary of the
General Board of Health and Welfare
Ministries . Dr. Bassett was ,? member of
the Detroit Kiwanis Club ; the board . of
trustees of The Haven Hubbard Home in
New Carlisle , Ind.; the board of directors
Dr. Wendell
C. Bassett
for Youth For Understanding , and a
member of the 50 year club at Garrett
Evangelical · Theological Sem inary. He
moved to Florida in 1974 and has served
the First UMC of Sebring as minister of
visitation the past five years. He is survived by his wife, -W ava , and three
daughters : Mrs . Marl ene Johns of
Jackson; Mrs . Donn a Heck of Troy, Ohio;
and Mrs. Carol Pan se of Otsego, plus 11
g ra ndchildren
a nd
fp ur
greatgrandchildren . The fami ly. is establishing
the Dr. Wendell C. Bassett Scholarship
Fund at Garrett Semin ary. M,onies can be
sent to Garrett Seminary, 21 21 Sheridan Rd.,
Evanston, IL 60201 , designated for this fund.
~
By DR. WENDEL C. BASSETT, ship of quality has been
E..xeeutive Direei:Qr
Citat ions for Distinguished Ser1\lichigan Council of ·Churches vice were presented.
The Michigan Co u n c i I o.f
The Michigan C o u n c i 1 of Churches has always h ad a defChurches is now taking a strong inite concern for the ecumenical
look with "Focus On The Future" mis ion of the Church of J esus
since the General Assembly meet. Chri t. The ebb and flow of tim.e
ing of Jan. 12, 1965. Records has cau. ed the Council to major
her emphasis fr om one area of
have been written and reports predom inan t concern to another.
have been given. Where leader- However; we have always tried
·· to keep pr oper balance of program and emphasis, properly reFEBRUARY, 1965.
lated to the issues of the day.
Sometimes, we have been too
slow to adequately adjust our
ministries to the point of need.
At this point we would now dedi·
(Continued from Page I>:
cate oursclv~s to a prompt and
obedient action in line with the
ourselves are stated clearly in tlie
known will and purpose of God.
new constitution and by-law&
The purposes to which we give
To fuliill these purposes is o~
assignment reaching into t li el
(Sec BASSETT Page 8)
future. Adjustments of stru~
ures and program cannot bel
made at once, but the new offi.
cers and staff will proceed with:
earnest e~ort to .bring mea.nfug
and effectiVeness to our work,
The transition period to a n~
executive director and to a new
constitution and by-laws need
JlQt develop despair, undue con;.
cern, or loss of efficiency m
programming. The major adjust;.
ments made from within the
frame-work provided, will relieve
the pressures t hat now exist ·on;
the staff, and allow the Asso~
at:e Directors to forge a head
With their particular Divisions
and special assignments. Thei
new Executive Director will
assume responsibilities that ea$e
the present pressures and take
the initiative for deZ>eloping a
new image for the Michiga.o;
Council of Churches.
,
At this time there are certain
imperatives that w i II n e e il
immediate attention, and other,
concerns that Will be reviewed as
rapidly as time and energy
mit.
The Executive Director is COJllo
mitted to early attention to: l!.
Staff assignments 2. Division
structure and program 3. Act;i..
vation of the by-laws 4. Stabil·
izing the f ive-year budget projection 5. A study of the EvalUo
Committee recommen<J.a.
tions 6. Rehearsal of tl1e office
of Executive Director as it r&o
Iates to the whole of MCC mJ.s.
sion and purpose.
The work of the MCC is of
God's choosing! It is a vital part
of the Kingdorn on Earth Advance. Therefore, Spiritual Hemust become the experf.
ence of the Council personne:r_
beginning with the Executive Dl·
rector. A warrn and meaningful
fellowship through our Lord,
Jesus Christ is the point around
all our mission shall be
- and our labors
be in vain.
Bassett .
Wendell Bassett...
. to many of us in the former
Methodist Church was -"Mr. Michigan EUB." He was the superintendent of the West District of the
EUB Michigan Conference from
1955 to 1965. Prior to that he had
served as the director of youth
work for the conference as well as
pastorales at Marcellus, Nashville,
Blissfield and. Detroit Calvary. He
later became the executive secretary for the Michigan Council of
Churches, and then until his retirement a national officer with the
church's Division of Health and
Welfare. Wendell and his wife,
Wava, spend the ·summers in
Hastings and the winters in Sebring, Florida. They have three
daughters: Marlene Johns of Lansing; Donna Heck of Wauseon,
Ohio; and Carol Panse of Otsego.