Teena Merlin John

Teena Merlin John was born on November 16, 1984, in Manama, Bahrain, to Mr. T. C. Thomas and Mariamma Thomas of Thekkekuttu House. She shared her childhood with her sister Tincy in Bahrain before the family later settled in Thalappady, Kottayam. Teena completed elementary schooling in Bahrain and at Marian Senior Secondary School in Kalathipady, Kerala. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing from SME, Thevara, with internship at Amrita Hospital, Kochi.

She was a member of the Brethren Assembly, Puthupally, and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior on April 12, 1998, obeyed the Lord in water baptism on June 4, 2000. At the age of 18, Teena experienced the loss of her mother to prion disease, the same illness she would later face with remarkable courage and steadfast faith.

Teena began life with Joshy her beloved life partner on April 25, 2009. She moved to Detroit in Oct 2009, to begin their life together. They grew together in Christ and were blessed with three children. Teena lived with her parents-in-law in a home rooted in love, respect, and mutual care.

Teena served as a nurse at St. John's Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital, caring for others with compassion and humility. She loved traveling, reading, cooking, music, and spending time with family and friends. She also cherished time with the family's beloved pet, Junior, who was a constant source of happiness and comfort.

Later in life, Teena was diagnosed with a rare subtype of prion disease. Even through physical and emotional suffering, she remained strong in faith, displaying grace, courage, and complete trust in the Lord. Teena is lovingly remembered and survived by her husband Joshy, children Leah, Sophia, and Immanuel; and her parents-in-law John Easow (Raju) and Molly John; her parents T. C. Thomas, Susan Thomas, and brother Telvin (Appu) in Kerala; her sister Tincy, brother-in-law Nivin Jose, and niece Joann in the Ireland. Her life, faith, and love will continue to live on through her children and all who were touched by her walk with Christ.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Visitation Friday, February 13, 2026, from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Troy International Church of God, 1285 E. Wattles Road (East of Rochester Road) Troy. Funeral service Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Troy International Church of God. Interment White Chapel Memorial Cemetery.