Howard Raymond Collver

Rev. Howard Raymond Collver heard, “well done,” as he was welcomed into his eternal home and joined the love of his life, Barbara J. Collver on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the age of 89. Howard has left a wonderful spiritual legacy with which the Lord blessed him. His legacy will always live on at Grand Rapids First where he was blessed to be an assistant pastor for 13 years in his later years (48-61), and at other churches and organizations to which he ministered.

Howard (Howie, Dad, Grampy, Pastor) graduated from Whitney Point Central High School in New York in 1952 and Central Bible College in 1961. He also attended Eastern Michigan University (1970 - MA in counseling and guidance) and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (1977 - MA in Christian Education).

Howard served with distinction in the Army 1953-1961, enjoying numerous pen pals while serving in Japan. On June 22, 1957, Howard married one of those pen pals, his lifetime sweetheart, Barbara June Hussey, and enjoyed 64.5 years of being happily married. They had four children, 12 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. These are left to follow the rich heritage he has left: children Bobbi (Martin) Van Til, Sherri Collver, Patti (Timothy) McDonald, and James Francis Hussey (Sherry Lynn) Collver I; grandchildren Kimberly (Raydon) Haskins (daughter, Riyah), Heather (John) Mullen (son, Jack; daughter, Emily), Robert (Sarah) Van Til (daughter, Emma), Nathan (Paige) Van Til, Aaron Adams, Amy Adams (son, Jalen; daughter, Sakani), Cassie McDonald, Caleb (Brevonna) McDonald, Peter McDonald (Emily Tyner) (daughter, Bryleigh), Sam McDonald, James (Alina) Collver II, and Jerod (Rylee) Collver.

He is preceded in death by his parents Asa and Annie Collver and sister, Lois Miller. He also leaves three brothers Carl (Bernice) Collver, Stanley (Kathy) Collver, and Stewart (Andrea) Collver; as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Howard was in active full-time ministry over 50 years - serving with David Wilkerson 1961-1963 in NYC. His one “claim to fame” was being included in the book, The Cross and the Switchblade. He then pastored in Norwich, CT; Hastings and Ann Arbor, MI; Education Director at Mid-America Teen Challenge (MO); Area Director for “The 700 Club” in Grand Rapids; Minister of Pastoral Care at Grand Rapids First; a professor and RA at Zion Bible College (RI); and Licensed Professional Counselor for the Grand Rapids community. While serving at GR First for 13 years, he taught 93 membership classes and made over 19,500 hospital visits. Over the course of 63 years of ministry, he performed over 180 funerals, over 30 weddings, numerous vow renewals (five of which were for 50th anniversaries), and countless hours of counseling. His ministry was marked as one of consistent faithfulness and steadfastness, loving care, and frank counsel.

Viewings will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Cook Funeral Home, 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, Michigan (East Building). Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Monday, January 27 at the funeral home, with visitation prior to the service beginning at 2 p.m. Pastor Kerry Watts will officiate. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

In honor of Howard, contributions may be made to Assemblies of God World Missions – Healthcare Ministries. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.