Normagene "Gene" Churchill

CHURCHILL — Normagene "Gene" (Hunt), 88; born Oct. 19, 1928, North Branch, Mich.; died June 19, 2017, Monroe, Mich., after an extended illness. Surviving: husband Byron, to whom she was married for 67 years; son and daughter-in-law, Garwin and Tawnya Churchill, Grayling, Mich.; daughter and son-in-law, Vonnie Jo and James Acre, Monroe; sister, Edith Peterson, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends.

Normagene was born to Howard and Blanche (Warren) Hunt. She was a graduate of North Branch Johnsonville of Seventh-day Adventists. During her college years, she taught church school in Petoskey, Iron Mountain, Wilson and Escanaba. She was not only a dedicated teacher to her students, but also provided transportation for several of the students. Even after she stopped teaching, she would ensure students could go to church school by providing transportation. This became a regular part of her ministry to children. Upon graduation from high school and after attending summer classes at Emmanuel Missionary College, Gene was hired to teach elementary school in the Michigan Conference schools where she was honored as a National Honor Society awardee.

On Sept. 4, 1949, Normagene married Byron Churchill in Lapeer, Mich. After their marriage, they both worked at Simplicity Patterns where Normagene was instrumental in helping the company expand their business by starting a second shift of workers. Because of her efforts, over 30 other students received employment. This student employment on second shift at Simplicity Patterns continued for over 40 years.

During the time at EMC and the years following, Normagene returned to teaching. Her teaching appointments included the House of David in Benton Harbor, the Oakland County public school system, Hylandale Academy Church school in Wisconsin, and the Kalkaska public schools.

In 1966 Byron and Gene started a branch Sabbath School in their home in Kalkaska, Michigan. Eventually the group became so large, they needed a church building. So, Byron and Gene led out in a church building program. They did much of the construction work themselves, including hauling stones, roofing, etc.

Their success with building up a new congregation led to her husband being asked to consider a full time position as a minister. Normagene was the quintessential pastor’s wife — a delightful hostess, a willing helpmeet. Her love and compassion touched lives for Jesus not only in Michigan, but also in Iowa, Missouri and Montana. Her husband says, “Without Gene, my ministry could never have been as successful. It took both of us, a real team effort between the Holy Spirit, Gene and I.”

Normagene loved children and eventually her home was blessed with a son and a daughter. In 1958, they adopted Garry and in 1963, they adopted Vonnie Jo. What a joy it was for her to watch her children grow and develop. Soon her life took on a round of transporting her own children as well as others to school, working all day, assisting her husband with Bible Studies in the evenings, and helping implement church events on weekends.

The years flew by. Oct. 1, 1990, Byron retired from full time ministry. After a season of retirement, October 2001, Normagene and Byron were asked to assist in planting a church in the Jamestown, Tennessee area. Again, Gene gladly stepped up to the call supporting her husband and touching more lives for Jesus.

In April of 2003, Byron and Gene moved back to Michigan to live near their beloved family. They set up housekeeping in Montrose, Mich., where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends until health issues prevented them from continuing. The last years of her life, Gene was tenderly cared for by her Family members.

Normagene Churchill will be fondly remembered for her deep love for her family, her talents as a peace-maker, and her kind and gentle ways.

Normagene Churchill was preceded in death by her parents Howard and Blanche Hunt; five siblings: Virgil, Alton, Russell, Wilbur, and Vernon, as well as two precious grandchildren, Cassandra and Jennifer.