Michael Allen Van Horn, age 64, died peacefully in his sleep on September 3, 2026. Michael had been living at the Fairmont Senior Assisted Living Home in Plymouth Township, Michigan, following the death of his father, Verlin Van Horn, in December 2024.
Born on August 23, 1962, in Watervliet, Michigan, Michael was the son of Verlin and Margie Van Horn. He graduated from Cornerstone University (BA), Cornerstone University (MA), Calvin Seminary (MA), and the University of Wales (PhD). Michael had been a pastor at several churches, most recently Trinity Evangelical Covenant Church of Livonia, Michigan. He served as Professor of Theology at North Park Theological Seminary and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and has taught at Ashland Seminary, William Tyndale College, and the University of Detroit.
Michael was an especially engaging person who enjoyed teaching and was particularly gifted as a preacher. In addition to having an office at the church, which was regularly overrun with children and high-school students, Michael enjoyed his dog Calvin and the pleasure of a good book. C.S. Lewis was never far from his memory and imagination. In addition to preparing regularly as a manuscript preacher, Michael was also the author of Within My Heart: The Enlightenment Epistemic Reversal and the Subjective Justification of Religious Belief.
Michael is survived by his twin brother Tim and his sister-in-law Shannon, as well as numerous other extended and beloved family members spread across SW Michigan.
The funeral for Michael will be held at His Church Anglican, 34500 Six Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152 at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 15. Visitation will precede the funeral, beginning at 9:30 am. A meal will follow at the church. The funeral will be live-streamed at the YouTube address below: (https://www.youtube.com/hischurchanglican/live).
Interment is planned for Wednesday, September 16 at 1:00 pm at Lakeshore Cemetery, 3000 Eaman Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.
