Rev. Bernie Wethington, age 64 of Big Rapids and White Cloud, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at his home following his battle with cancer. Pastor Bernie was born on December 28, 1948 in Durham, North Carolina to Laurie and Margie (Elliott) Wethington. Bernie joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served during the Vietnam Era. Bernie met and later married Patti Marie Gill on June 22, 1974 in Long Beach, California. Pastor Bernie started his lifes ministry work spanning over 40 years, with Campus Crusade for Christ in California and later became ordained minister in 1978. He had been the pastor in southern California for several years until he moved to White Cloud in September 1995 to become the pastor at the 7th Day Baptist Church in White Cloud. He was also founder of the White Cloud Teen Center a positive place for teens Pastor Bernie enjoyed reading, learning new trivia and history and was well known for finding the positive in any situation. Pastor Bernie truly had a passion for meeting, talking and connecting with people, where ever he met them, and his ability to build relationships with everyone, everywhere and anytime was one of his great assets. Pastor Bernie had a great love of God and often would say in his daily life, I am too blessed to be stressed His unconditional love of Christ, which he kept close his entire life, truly meant to him, God Wins SURVIVORS : his wife, Patti of Big Rapids; his children, Sean (Amanda) Wethington of Big Rapids; Leanna Wethington of Fremont; Jenna (Caleb) Killingbeck of Reed City; his grandson, Barrett Wethington; his mother, Margie Worley of Big Rapids; his brother, Michael (Nancy) Wethington of Montgomery, Alabama; his step sister, Linda (Chasey) Bearden of Greenville, South Carolina; 4 nieces and nephews; his father-in-law, Robert Gill of White Cloud. VISITATION : Sunday, March 24, 2013 from 2-4 & 6-8 at Crandell Funeral Home White Cloud Chapel. MEMORIAL SERVICES : Monday, March 25, 2013 at 11:11am at the White Cloud United Methodist Church 1125 E Newell Street White Cloud MI 49349. INTERMENT : White Cloud Cemetery. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS : Pastor Bernie Wethington Mission Memorial Fund, c/o Crandell Funeral Home P O Box 122 White Cloud MI 49349.