Jesse R. DeWitt

Jesse R. DeWitt

5 December 1918 - 26 November 2015


Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt

Bishop DeWitt, died in his home surrounded by family on November 26, just nine days short of his 97th birthday. He was preceded in death five years ago by his wife of 69 years, Annamary Horner DeWitt. He is survived by his daughters, Donna Wegryn and Darla Inman (William); grandchildren Edward Wegryn (Helena), David Wegryn (Cindy), Nancy Ketola (Rob), Deana Anderson (Dan), Debbie Staup (Aaron); great grandchildren Nate, Noah, Ben & Jason Wegryn; Casey, Kai & Gabrielle Ketola; Danae & Drew Anderson; Addison and Aidan Staup. Jesse was born in Detroit, Michigan to Bessie Gertrude and Jesse Arthur DeWitt. He graduated from Northwestern High School in Detroit, Wayne State University and Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1948 with a Master of Divinity degree. Over the years, he also received three Honorary Doctorate degrees. Jesse began his ministry in the Methodist Church in 1944, serving two parishes in Illinois while in seminary. From 1946 to 1950 he was pastor of the Aldersgate Methodist Church in Redford Township, and from 1950 1958 he was the pastor of the Faith Methodist Church in Oak Park. During the years from 1958 to 1972, he served in three administrative positions within the denomination, and in 1972 he was elected to the Episcopacy. There he served as Bishop of the Wisconsin Area for eight years before being appointed to the Northern Illinois Conference to serve there for another eight years. He retired in 1988 and continued to be active with the many social justice groups and concerns which had been central to him throughout his career. 

- Detroit Annual Conference minutes of 2016, p. 310

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