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Title
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Bamberger, Charles J.
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From the Sunrise Side of Tawas Point! Home of:
Rev. Charles J. Bamberger
2439 Winona Street
East Tawas, Michigan 48730-4915
Phone # (989) 362-5810
April 23, 2002
MEMOIRS COMMITTEE DETROIT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Rev. Wayne B. Middleton
516 Burr Oak Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan - 48103
Dear Wayne,
Please forgive me for being so late in responding to your letter regarding information
to be used for recognition of my wife, Vivian, and her contrib~tions to the life of our
United Methodist Church. I have been experiencing throat and ear infections for the
past several weeks and have been unable to hear or talk (a Blessing to some!) and have
had others filling the pulpit here at Wilber U. M. Church fellowship.
Enclosed please find the form you sent to be filled out and a copy of the obituary I
had placed in the news paper at Saginaw, Bay City and East Tawas, Michigan.
I sent the following statement to the Memorial Service Committee:
Vivian served her Lord in many ways through years of Loving Service as she helped guide
many lives with her winning ways! She has always been a delight to behold and one of
those persons you cannot help but Love! Vivian Loved her Lord and All People, as she
shared in many ways to Help All Others, in every way that she could! And also as she
shared, right along with Rev. Charley "B", much of the time, in making Home and Hospital
visits to folks under their appointment and Everyone else they were made aware of who had
a need! I'm sure she Charmed God, just like she Charmed so many others! She is surely
a Delightful addition to the Lord's immediate staff!
I entered FULL-time ministry as a second career, after having spent Thirty of the years
prior to that filling pulpits, mostly on the Saginaw-Bay and Port Huron Districts. We
were married about ten years when I went into fulltime ministry as a Local Pastor, and
Vivian went right along with me, serving in every way she could to make our ministry a
meaningful help to those we servrd. We had only one appointment: Morrice, Bennington
and Pittsburg Charge, for Nine and one half years before retiring and then over eight
years fo assignment to the Wilber U. M. Church since retirement, and I am still with
the folks at Wilber U. M. Church.
I hope this will be of some use to you.
Thank you for your kind consideration .
Yours in Christ!
t2J
-Rev .
-
~
Jg
C~Bamberger
<(
SAGINAW NEWS FRIDAY. MAY 18, 2001
D7
Bamberger, Vivian Cora
(Shuart),
East Tawas, Michigan.
Went to her reward on Thurs,
day, May 17, 2001. Born to Edwin
Shuart and Mabel Docket on
March 31, 1914 in Saginaw Coun·
ty, Michigan, south from Merrill.
Vivian was married before, but she
and Charles J. Bamberger joined
their lives in Holy Marriage on Feb·
ruary 14, 1971 . They were present·
ly serving the Wilber United
Methodist Church of East Tawas,
Michigan, as a retired Local Pastor
and wife. Vivian .is survived by one
daughter, Joyce Raymond of
Hale, Mich . and three stepsons,
Paul A. Bamberger of Ohio; Mar~
E. (Jan) Bamberger of Colorado;_
and Norman C. (Nancy) Bam·
berger of Saginaw Township,:
Mich. Vivian is also survived by 23
grandchildren and 25 great-grand-.
children and three great- great~
grandchildren. And of course, one.
special so[l·in-law, Leonard Stan-:
kiewicz, (Nicknamed the Polish
Prince), who has held a very spe~
cial place in her heart tor more.
than 40 years. Vivian was preced-'
ed in death by two daughters, Betty Davenport and JoAnne
Stankiewicz. For the last 30 years
+ , Vivian had served her Lord in
many ways and helped guide
many lives with her winning ways.
She had been a delight to behold
and one of those persons you sim.:
ply cannot help but to Love! Vivian
will be sadly missed by her family
and multitude of friends!
Per her wishes, cremation has
taken place and a memorial ser~
vice is planned for Saturday, June
9, 2001 at the Wilber United Math·
odist Church Sanctuary at 11 :00
a.m. with a Fellowship meal to fol~
low in the Allen Brown Fellowship
Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be directed to
the Wilber United Methodist
Church Fund or to Tawas St. Joseph Home Health and Hospice,
P.O. Box 239, Tawas City, Micl:l.
48763 or to the charity of yol.lr
choice. Arrangements by Jacques
& Kobs Funeral Home, Tawas
City.
Detroit" Annual Conference
The United Methodist Chu-rch
Information for Memoirs
Name
Cora
"(middle)
Vi vi an
(first)
Birth dateMarch 31, 1914
Bambe rger
Shuart
(last)
(maiden) ·
Birth place Merr il, Michiga·n, Saginaw Count y
Ffrst and last nameS of parents Edwin_ Shuart & Mabel Docket
Date of admission ---:-------- to the
·----------------------Conference
Congregations served_ _,._____:_______________________________
Age at death_.a......z
.___
DateofdeathMa y 17, 2001Piaceofdeath Eas t Tawas, Michigan
Please enclose .a copy of an obitu~ry and a pictUre . Th_e picture will_be returned.
Vivan i s the wife of Rev . Charles J .. Bamb~rger . A Loca l Past or who entered FULL-time
mini s try as a Second Career, after they had been marrie d f or TEN yea r s .
'
.
.If you wish to (ldq informationthat is not printed_in the obituary·, please do so
.
. .
. .· . .
,
..,.
. .
. .
.
. ·. · .
bela~. .
. . .
- ~ H~h~~~o~lle~·infurma~ori~·-------·----------------~~~----~~-Marriage i~~~mation__ ____:._ __ _ _ _ _ _- - ' - - - - - - : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I .
Ho!lors/awards - - - - - - - : - - -- - - - - - -- -- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -
Survivors/re lationship
------------------------------------
.
.
.
This information was provided by Rev . Charles J . Bamberger ( Hu sband )
Address 2439 Winona Street - East Tawas, Mi chiga n· 48730 - 9415
Phone · <.9.B!L)~3L.L6LL2-=-....~.5J..l8.L.JOu......________
•.I
FAMILY PARTICIPATION SHEET
Full legal name of one being remembered:
Vivian Cora (Shuart) Bamberger
Date of Birth: March 31, 1914
Date of Death: .:....:M=ayL-..'-1'--'-7_,_,--=20~0::..!1=---------
Spouse of:
Rev. Charles J. Bamberger
Married: _3_0_ __ _ years.
Information for the short Statement to be read during the service: Words of celebration
Vivian served her Lord in many ways through years of Loving Service as she helped
guide many lives with her winning ways! She has always been a Delight to behold
and one of those persons you cannot help but Love! Vivian Loved her Lord and All
people, as hse shared in many ways to Help · __ ~· All Other s. in every way that
she could! And also as she shared, right along with Rev. "Charley B.", much of
the time, in making Home and Hospital Visits to folks 11nder their appoir:~tmer:Jt and
Everyone else they were made aware of who had a need! I'm sure she Charmed God,
just like she has Charmed so many others! She is surely a Delightful addition to
the Lord's immediate staff!
If member of a clergy family, please list known appointments in Detroit Conference;
OR if lay person, please list church membership and conference/district areas of service & years.
Vivian assisted Rev. "Charley B." in their appointment to the Morrice, Bennington,
and Pittsburg Churches and the Wilber U. M. Church in their Retirement!
Name ofperson/s designated to come forward during the service (and relationsillp to deceased)
Rev. Charles J. Bamberger (Husband)
Pleasereserve
1
seatsforfamily&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 information is needed: Relationship:
Name: Rev. Char] es ,J. Bamberger
...!.H!.=u~s~b~a.!..!.n~d_ __ _ __
Telephone: ( 989) 362-5810
Address:2439 Winona Street, East Tawas, Mic higan 48730-9415
Please feel free to write additional comments on the back of tills form.
Please return tills information sheet to me as soon as possible. A stamped return envelop is
enclosed for your convenience. If you have questions please call me.
Alice Sheffield, Memorial Service Coordinator
14130 Wagon Wheel Court, Chelsea, MI 48118
Telephone: (734) 475-9348
E-Mail : ajsheffield@worldnet.att. net
... ,
~rum the Sunrise Side of Tawas Point! Home of:
~Rev.
Charles J. Bamberger
2439 Winona Street
East Tawas, Michigan 48730-4915
Phone # (989) 362-5810
April 23, 2002
Pastor Alice Sheffield
14130 Wagon ~heel Court
Chelsea, Michigan 48118
Dear Alice,
Please excuse me for taking so long to respond to your letter regarding the Detroit
Annual Conference Memoria l Service for the recognition and Celebration of the Lives
of members within our Clergy families who are no longer physically present with us.
I have been experiencing ear and throat infections for a number of weeks now and
have even had to have others fill the ~u lpit here at Wilber U. M. Church on many
of those weeks when I could not hear or talk (What a Blessing far some)!
I do plan to be present at our Detroit Annual Conference for the entire Conference,
and am registered to be there. To the best of my knowledge there will NOT be any
other members of our family there for the Service. They are scattered all over
this nation of ours. They were able to be at the Memorial Service we held in her
honor on June 9, 2001, here at Wilber United Methodist Church building.
Thank you for you r kind consideration in this matter. If you have any further need
of information I can be reached at the above address and phone number.
Yours in Christ!
~ {2~~ /3 ''
~ Rev.
Char6J.i . Bamberger
Jim Simmons
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
ANN ARBOR DISTRICT OFFICE[SMTP:aadisumc@tir.com]
Thursday, May 17,2001 2:02PM
Earl Downing; Roger Merrell; Roy Forsyth; Jo Penzien; Jesse DeWitt; Jerry Parker; James D.
Cochran; James G. Simmons; Jack Lancaster; Ira Fett; Fred P. Cooley; Earl Eden; Doris
Crocker; David E. Church; Bob Brown; Bob Boley; Arthur L. Spafford; Ann Thomas; AI Bamsley;
James C Braid; Joyce M Smith
Fw: Death Notice
-----Original Message----From: PatriciaHelmer@aol.com <PatriciaHelmer@aol.com>
To: esmith@umc-detconf.org <esmith@umc-detconf.org>
Cc: ANN ARBOR DISTRICT <aadisumc@tir.com>; DJGMI@aol.com <DJGMI@aol.com>;
ANN ARBOR
Date : Thursday, May 17, 2001 11 :SO AM
Subject: Death Notice
VIVian Bamberger, wife of retired pastor Charles Bamberger died at home
doday, Thurs., May 17th following a long illness. A memorial service is
planned for June 9 at Wilbur UMC, 3278 N. Sherman Rd. , E. Tawas, MI.
Condolences may be sent to Charles Bamberger, 2439 Winona St., Tawas, Ml
48730
Page 1
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Retirees give half millennium of service
KATHY GOOLIAN
MCA Staff Reporter
ADRIAN (MCA)-The 16 pastors retiring at Detroit Annual Conference this year
paraded a regalia of colorful anecdotes,
colorful clothes, sources of inspiration,
mentors , eccentric middle names, rapid
conversions and spouses who taught
them how to live. The Rev. Pat Zimmerman led the celebration on the afternoon
of June 7. These retiring pastors represent
a total service of 5203/4 years-over half
a millennium, not even counting the dedicated service of their spouses.
With a white convertible, bright clothes
and bright shoes, Bill Mercer didn 't fit the
pattern of a minister and was at least once
mistaken for a man of another profession.
Bob Brown's middle initials stands for Lee
Snow, the physician who delivered him.
Don Strobe expressed a feeling of minor
kinship to Francis Asbury, who became a
deacon, elder, and bishop in the course
of days. Lois Glenn cited the influence on
her ministry of such women as Elsie
Johns, Cecilia Jordan and Beth Isaacs.
Bill Mercer's wife "taught me how to live
when I was a workaholic." She insisted on
a date every week for almost 45 years.
Perry Thomas, new at Commerce, was
confronted by a woman in black in a large
old house . She said, "We're glad to see
you come and we' ll be just as glad to see
you go! " At the end of his ministry, Perry
is sorry and glad he's leaving .
First to be honored were the Rev. Perry
Thomas and his wife Julia Ann, who have
served in the ministry for 40 3f4 years.
They leave Ypsilanti First after 12 years.
" I began my ministry at Commerce," he
said , " with an inordinate desire to please.
I had something the whole church and the
whole world needed." Eleven years later
with a better estimate of his gifts, he was
leaving to go to Flint Asbury. He got a card
from the woman in black, saying s h e w as
ed God had had a lot of bad press." In
April he was approved as a local preacher
and in May he had his local preacher's
license . In June the Korean War began .
Don is grateful for the " opportunity to proclaim the inexplicable riches of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
The Rev. Dorraine and Ruth Snogren
served the church for 35 years, 22 of them
at Flint Calvary. He noted four areas of his
ministry: 1) the construction of new churches; 2) the emphasis on spiritual
renewal; 3) the development of small
groups which have continued for 18 years;
and 4) leadership in 16 consecutive Holy
Spirit Conferences. He has experienced
" a profound sense of liberty to fulfill my
ministry. The work of the holy spirit has
had a strong influence."
The Rev. William and Helen Stone are
retiring after 42 years in Michigan churches. They leave the Harrisville and Lincoln charge after seven years. They have
served suburban, village, city, inner city,
resort, Indian churches and the Wesley
Foundation . "I was converted under the
preaching of a woman preacher," he said.
He expressed gratitude to the Thoburn
UMC, " where 25 went into the ministry
from that small church which called young
people into commitment to Jesus Christ."
Harley L. Siders and Rose Mae served the church for 341f2 years. They are
leaving Calvary UMC in Holly after eight
years. He wishes to be remembered "as
one who not only preached the gospel, but
related the ministry to the living of the gospel . . . It has been a high privilege and
joy, " Harley said. "The Lord has worked
through us and in us."
The Rev. Ross Nicholson, with 20
years service and a five-year leave of
absence, was not present.
The Rev. Bill Mercer is retiring after 49
years in the ministry. He leaves Troy First
UMC a fter four y ears. He is going to
sorry he was leaving. "It was a ministry
Detroit Metropolitan UMC to serve as
to remember," Thomas concluded. "It
has been my goal to bring the entirety of
my life into the service and praise of Jesus
associate. In 49 years he received 6,000
new members, collected $5112 million
total offering, and oversaw construction of
.
.
.
sisters in Christ. ' '
Ronald D. Carter and Elizabeth retired
Jan. 1 after 36 1!4 years of service to the
church . They are in Florida.
Robert L.S. Brown and Ruth are retiring after 41 years of service, the last five
as Flint District superintendent. He wants
people to say of him, " He was authentic.
He walked as he talked." He is grateful
to the church for many and varied things
(Bible teacher at School of Christian Missions). He is also grateful for the itinerant
system , which led them to serve five
districts.
Charles J . and Vivian Bamberger are
retiring after 9 1/2 years of service. They
have served the Morrice-BenningtonPittsburg charge for nine years. He wants
to be remembered for "sharing God's love
not simply through the word, but showing,
with a hug and a handshake, that God
loves you and I love you-being with people when they need love the most.'' The
UMC has been a second career for
Charles. He is grateful to the Rev. Eric
Hammar, who kept urging him to get involved in the active ministry.
0
A special moment came during the retirement celebration when Emil Haering and
son, Ken, sang a duet with wife and
mother, Betty, at the keyboard.
pra1se ot Jesus
Christ."
The Rev. Don and Kathleen Strobe
served the church for 40 years. They are
retiring from Ann Arbor First after 18
years. Strobe wants to be remembered for
" making the Christian faith intelligible and
enjoyable. In Asbury's footsteps, Don had
a conversion experience in Jan . 1950, in
February he joined t~e church and in
March he was behind the pulpit. " I decidmy lite rnto the servrce and
Hugs abounded at the 1990 Conference
session. Here Bishop Craig shares in a
congratulatory embrace with the Rev.
Lois Glenn during recognition of retirees.
total
onenng, ana oversaw construction ot
six major buildings, including two complete churches, St. Andrews and Nardin
Park. He wishes to be remembered as a
"caller, a preacher, and a builder."
Emil and Betty Haering are retiring
after 35 years of service to the church.
They leave Flint Bethlehem and Faith after
five years. He cited two things of great
importance-Betty's life as a teacher and
his as a pastor, as well as their family. The
couple has four children . Emil and his son
Ken performed a duet, " So thou liftist thy
devine petitiofl, " while Betty played the
piano accompaniment.
Lois Glenn retires after 41 years of service to the church. She leaves Mio UMC
after serving four years. She will be serving the Saginaw Burt UMC. "It's a testimony to the ministry that women (incidentally) are called as individuals and as persons ... Most women came in as local
preachers, taking lost outposts. They
didn't bother with politics. They had no
conference membership. Some never attained it. Younger and newer people come
in with their main call to serve Jesus Christ
their Lord ."
George William and Bonnie Dunstan
are retiring after 28 years of service. They
have been at East Detroit Peace UMC for
ten years. They wish to be remembered
as a couple who truly loved and cared for
the people they served and are grateful for
the love they received in return . George
is grateful to Merton and Metha Stevens
and the pastors and their spouses at E.
Detroit Emmanuel , his home church.
Frank B. Cowick and Martha retired on
Jan . 1 after 35 years of service to the
church. They were unable to attend the
retirees' ceremonies.
Zack A . and Evelyn Clayton are retiring after 40 years of service to the church,
the past 20 of them at Midland Aldersgate
UMC. He will become an associate at Fenton UMC. He wants to be remembered for
always trying to keep a sense of humor
and never turning off others by being too
stuffy. He noted that bigness is often
equated with success. But "almost any
minister could handle a congregation of
500 or more. The purpose of the church
and ministry is not just to handle people
efficiently but to minister and love persons
as children of God and my brothers and
Charles
J. Bamberger
AUTOBIOGRAPHY: I was born in Flint, Michigan on Feb. 23, 1925, to Charles D . and Alice
R. Bamberger. Our family moved to Tawas City
w hen I was very young, (both of my parents were
born and raised in the Tawas City area) and we
also lived in East Taw as for several years before
moving to Saginaw w here I attended school
through the tenth grade; then I left home to w ork
on a farm near Glenn ie and I attended Oscoda
H igh Schoo l, graduating from there .
I served on active duty with the U.S. Marine
Corps during W W 2, w ith 14 months in th e
Pacific theatre; and on acti ve d uty w ith the U.S.
A rm y during the Korean Campaign.
My first career was as a "Street W alker", Letter
Carrier, for the U.S. Postal Service from Feb. 1947 through Feb. 1980 (after working
in manufacturing plants from my discharge until starting at the Postal Service).
My second career as a Local Pastor began w ith my official appointment on the MorricePittsburg-Bennington Charge on th e Flint District on Feb. 1, 198 1.
My " home" church, Jefferson Ave. U.M . of Saginaw supported me in recommendi ng
and sponsoring me for the ministerial candidacy program. Rev. Eric Hammer, as Di stri ct Supt. of the Saginaw-Bay Di strict gave me much encouragement and support to
become involved in the ministry program of our U .M. Church as a Local Pastor or
even further advanced. I had filled pulpits on occasion for about 30 years for pastors
w ho were on vacation to too ill to fill their own pulpit.
Vivian Sayers of Saginaw and I were married Feb. 14, 197 1 (second marriages) and
I give her all the credit for encouraging and supporting me as I've served o ur Lord
in this way.
I'm extremely grateful to the United M ethodist Church for givi ng me the privilege of
servi ng our Lord and The Un ited M ethodist Churches of this Charge for these nineplus yea rs.
I'm extremely grateful to the beautiful people who make up these three churches, Morrice, Pittsburg and Benningto n U .M . Churches; and love each and every one of them
in a very special way fo r having allowed me the pri vilege of serving them, as they
showed so much love for us!
We w ill be living at East Tawas, on the shore of beauti ful Lake Huron, on the sunrise
side of Tawas Point. We will find new ways to con ti nue in the service of our Lord
fo r w hatever time we w ill be able to serve.
TESTIM ON IAL: II h,1~ bPcn a very rp,1l pri v i l q~P lo ' f'tV!' .1~ Supl'fllliPtHienl lo "Charley··
.md_V rvjan Ban1bcrgcr (or lhc l,lsl fi vl' )'C'.lf'. Thl'y .Hl' bolh ,1 jov lo know. They an•
bt•.Julifu l people. The are ,1lways ~ ure lo inviiC' llw Di~l rirl Su1JC'rin1enden1 ,md h i~
wife lo ,1 dclit in ti'; dinner in lhcir hot Ill' before• C h ,H~l' Con ft•rt'llll'. II is ,1 de li ~hl lo
,h,lrt• llw w,~rmlh of !heir ho,pilalil y, llwi r fu n-loving r hut kh·'· .md I heir gC'tH tim• ,lfft•t .
I ion for one ,molhcr.
' ' ' .1 fu ll-l ime Loc.1l P,1, 1or lo lhis ont· .mel only .lppoinlm!'nl , ,1ltl'r 'erving 10 ye.~r'
,1, .1 n1.1il cJrrier, he ha~ ' hmvn exl r<~ord in.lfy commilmenl .111 d .Jbil ily lo IM'Ior lhn•t•
churches. I lis pcuplc .1 lway~ arc quiLk lo Pxpres' how llllll h 1lwy love and .1ppt l'< i.11l' "Ch.1rll'y," cllld hi~ ( Ol11111ilmenl lo hi' Pl'Oplt•. I h· loV!'<; hi' Lord ,md <;how<; il
by ht' unliring <;t•rvice lo hi' pPopll•. I pr,1y Cod ", rit ht•-t blt•"ing wil l < onl inut• lo
IH• with tlwm both.
Rolwrl L. S. Brown
Vivian Cora (Shuart) Bamberger
3/31/14 - 5/17/01
Always a delight to behold and one of those persons you cannot help but love, Vivian shared her
love right along the side of Rev. Charley B. making home and hospital visits and caring for
persons in need. I'm sure she charmed God, just like she has charmed so many others. She is
surely a delightful addition to the Lord's immediate staff.
Bamberger, Charles J.