Rev. Dwayne Lee Kelsey

Dwayne Kelsey ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Potere-Modetz Funeral Home - Rochester on Mar. 14, 2026.Rev. Dwayne Lee Kelsey, born November 13, 1937, Bushton, Kansas to Violetta Mae Dean and Merle Walker Kelsey. He attended Hutchinson Public Schools in Hutchinson, Kansas and graduated in 1955. He then went on to Asbury College (now Asbury University) in Wilmore, Kentucky, graduating in 1959 with a BA degree.Dwayne married Ruth Helene Fiegel on January 9, 1965, in Findlay, Ohio. He then attended graduate school at Scarritt College in Nashville, Tennessee, graduating in 1967 with a master's degree in Christian Education and then went to the seminary at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, graduating in 1975 and became an ordained Deacon in 1975 and in 1976 an ordained Elder by the Detroit Annual Conference.Dwayne served as Minister of Christian Education in Jacksonville Beach, Florida and then moved to Plymouth, MI to serve as Minister of Christian Education.He was the pastor of the Howarth-Thomas UMC, Lake Orion, MI, Lincoln Park UMC, Flint, MI, Davison UMC Church, Davison, MI, Romeo UMC, Romeo, MI, Good Shepherd UMC, Dearborn, MI. Retired from future appointments he then became the Associate Minister and Minister of Visitation for nineteen years at St. Paul's UMC, Rochester, MI. Retired for the second time at 80 years of age.Through the years Dwayne served as a Boy Scout leader, Camp counselor, Camp Director for the Salvation Army camp for underprivileged, handicapped and emotionally trouble children in Delaware, Ohio, curriculum writer and consultant for the General Board of Education of the UMC, senior citizens program director and tour guide, leader of youth groups, youth work camp director, youth group tour leader, instructor for leadership training sessions for kindergarten teachers, plus serving as a member of the District Location Committee, The Methodist Children's Home Board and as President of the Board of Equitable Salaries of the Detroit annual Conference for 9 years. In total, Dwayne served the United Methodist Church for 58 years.Though his parents did not travel, through the stories told by his high school homeroom teacher, Emma Hamill, of her travels, he began to dream of travelling and when he and Ruth were married, she too loved to travel. Together they visited all the continental states, all the providences of Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas. In addition, Dwayne travelled the Holy Land, Italy, China, Hong Kong, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, Spain and Morocco.Dwayne has been described by his colleagues as man of integrity, a pastors' pastor, a caring and compassionate man, one who was always willing to put the needs of others before his own, an articulate preacher, a skillful writer, a faithful man of God.Dwayne is survived by his wife Ruth; his four children, "Born in my heart mine", Dr. John Robert (Cheri) Hereford , Mickey (the late Veda) O'Hearn, Rick (Wendy) Butterfield, and Barbara (Tom) Laing; his grandchildren, John Robert III, Lauren, Rodney (Jackie), Amy, Megan, Erik (Kate), Ryan (Amber), Drew (Raydean), and Jeremy; great grandchildren, Bentley, Theodore, Maeve, Dakota, Avery, Teagen, Liam, Oakland, and the late Skylar; his brothers Donald, Richard, and Bob. He was predeceased by his parents; Merle and Violetta Kelsey; step-parents Bill Elstun and Pat Kelsey; his brothers Lloyd and Eugene and infant sister Donna Faye.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.