Michael James Anton

Long-time resident of the Hastings, Michigan community, Reverend Doctor Michael Anton, died on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Thornapple Manor, after a two-year battle with brain cancer.

Michael was born on December 6, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Dorothy (Eken) and William Anton. Following elementary and secondary education in Memphis schools and eight years of college and seminary in Missouri and Indiana, he was ordained as a Lutheran pastor. After three years as a mission developer, community college faculty member, and basketball coach at Niagara College in southern Ontario, Canada, Michael accepted the call as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Hastings in 1969. After 39 years as pastor of Grace, he retired in 2008, having earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, Illinois, during that time.

Michael and his wife, Charlotte, met in junior college and their 61-year marriage began on June 7th, 1964. They were blessed with three sons: Mark, Philip, and Matthew, all of whom lived their K-12 lives in Hastings schools. They were further gifted with two daughters by marriage: Julie Partridge (Phil), Melina Williams (Matt), granddaughter Linnea (Melina & Matt), and many grand-kitties and grand-beagles.

Michael was preceded in death by both of his parents, both of Charlotte's parents, and three other close family members: Julie Honerkamp, Jon Kircher, and Richard Honerkamp. Gratefully, he is survived by Charlotte and their family.

One of his early stories originated when the Anton threesome (Mark was 1 ½) arrived in Hastings. Since both of them had lived and attended school almost entirely in bigger cities, Michael and Charlotte sized up a small community and a small congregation residing in a small building and shared their mutual assessment: they would be in Hastings for 3 to 5 years max. Obviously, no one ever wanted to ask them to predict the future!

Michael's journey with Grace Lutheran included helping start the ecumenical Lent'n Lunch program…initiating the annual community Cross Walk on Good Friday…overseeing the sale of the Grace building at the corner of Jefferson & Walnut…helping manage the construction of a new edifice on North St., followed later by a second building program to renovate the old wing and add a new wing…sponsoring the community pasty sales…helping initiate new worship liturgies, different music and musical instruments, bell choir, visual art, drama, puppets, liturgical dance…creating the character of the "Christmas Clown"…being a "mission partner" supporting several congregations in the synod…expanding youth ministry at multiple age levels…increasing worship server roles and providing more opportunities for congregation members to utilize their talents…and helping provide worship at the county jail.

In the community, Michael discovered numerous opportunities to serve, which included assisting with the creation of Barry Community Hospice…helping create a drop-in center for youth and senior adults…serving as a: Child Abuse Prevention Council (now Family Support Center) board member…Hastings Area School Board trustee for 8 years (president for 2 years)…Pennock Hospital Board trustee for 14 years (chairperson for 8 years)…Pennock Patient & Family Advisory Council member.

Michael enjoyed a number of leisure-time activities, including spending time with his family, teaching, reading, golfing, church league softball, following various sports teams, meeting folks for coffee and conversation, and traveling. Traveling was a particular passion for Michael and Charlotte. Fortunately, they were able to fulfill their dreams with family trips as their sons were growing up and in retirement days. They organized three tour groups to Israel and parts of Europe and they enjoyed European riverboat cruises to celebrate milestone anniversaries.

In retirement Michael continued pastoral life as a "supply pastor" for worship services in congregations without pastors or with pastors ill or on vacation. His interest in education was piqued by an invitation to teach in the Kellogg Community College-sponsored Institute for Learning in Retirement (now Lifelong Learning Institute) at the Fehsenfeld campus in 2002. For many years he led classes in the program on spiritual and social-cultural topics. He also served on the Board of Friends of Hastings Performing Arts Center (HPAC) and helped with the initial phases of Serenity Village.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church from 5-8 PM (239 E. North St., Hastings, MI 49058). Additional visitation time will occur from 10-11 AM on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Hastings Performing Arts Center (HPAC) at Hastings High School (520 W. South St., Hastings, MI 49058). A celebration of life service will begin at 11 AM on September 20, 2025, at the HPAC. Fellowship and light refreshments will follow the service at the Walldorff Brewpub at 1:30 PM (105 E. State St, Hastings, MI 49058).

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial gifts to: Grace Lutheran Church (239 E. North St. Hastings, MI 49058) and/or Hastings Education Enrichment Foundation (232 W. Grand St. Hastings, MI 49058). Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, Michigan. To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.