Moore
OAK HARBOR, OHIO — Rev. Dr. Michael Penn Moore, 70, of Oak Harbor, Ohio, passed away Thursday, April 27, 2017.
On March 12, 1947 he was born in Lima, Ohio, to the late Ray S. and Jane (Penn) Moore. Michael was a 1969 graduate of Heidelberg College where he met his wife Cathy Gyde.
Michael attended Yale Divinity School, receiving his Master of Divinity Degree in 1972 and a Master of Sacred Theology Degree in 1974. In October of 1974, he was ordained by the New Haven Association of the United Church of Christ (UCC) at Killam’s Point Conference and Retreat Center, which joined with a dozen other area UCC Congregations in a ministry aimed at bringing together issues of Christian faith and environmental/ecological concerns- the focus of Rev. Michael’s seminary training.
In 1975, Michael and Cathy moved to Absarokee, Mont., where Michael served as pastor for seven years at Community Congregational Church. Following that tenure, Michael was called as pastor of UCC in Petaluma, Calif.
The tug of family prompted a move back to Ohio in 1988, where he served Church of the Redeemer UCC in Westlake, Ohio. During his service at Redeemer UCC, Michael earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.
After retiring in 2012, Michael was able to pursue his many interests, which included photography, backpacking, gardening, and model railroading. He held a black belt in Judo and was a singer since childhood. He will be remembered for his lively wit, sense of humor, and caring nature towards others.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Cathy, of Oak Harbor; sister Laurie J. (John) Vanderslice of San Diego, Calif., and brother Thomas K. (Rebecca) Moore of Port Orchard, Wash. A “treasured” in-law, he was an uncle, great-uncle and friend to many.
Visitation will be Saturday, May 20 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Crosser Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Oak Harbor Chapel. A Memorial Service will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at St. Paul UCC, Oak Harbor.
Memorial Contributions are being directed to assist the education of future Pastors at Yale Divinity School. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserfuneralhome.com.