Born: July 21, 1930

Died: Nov. 10, 2012

 

Murray W. Telsworth, 82, of Edwardsburg, went home to be with his Lord and Savior for his eternal rest in heaven on Nov. 10, 2012. Mr. Telsworth was born July 21, 1930 in Goodrich, Mich., the son of Murray and Jennie Telsworth.

On June 4, 1960, he married Lois Holiday, his cherished and very loved wife. They celebrated their golden anniversary on June 6, 2010. He is survived by a son, Rodney (Laura) Telsworth of Centreville, Mich. and three grandchildren, Bryan, Rachelle and Seth. A daughter, Cindy, of South Bend and four grandchildren, Kenneth, Timothy, Brittany and Justin. A daughter Cherie (Marcus) of Battle Creek and two grandchildren, Noah and Jonah.

A son Chris, by a prior marriage, died in 2001, leaving Kelly Erickson and two grandchildren, Brittany and Nathan, also Jan Muller, and a granddaughter Chelsea, all of Portland, Ore., and one great-granddaughter, Amelia Bennett.

Mr. Telsworth is a graduate of Central Michigan University, holding a Masters degree in natural resources/park administration (his college degrees were earned while working full-time). He served as manager of the Holly Recreational Area, Lakeport State Park and Walter J. Hayes State Park, all for over a 20 year period.

Then for nearly 10 years he was Superintendent of Genesee County Parks and Recreation System near Flint. Then he was selected to serve as Superintendent of Alleghany County Park, Recreation and Conservation Department at Pittsburg, Pa.

He spent three years being promoted to Indiana State Parks, where he served nearly 10 years as the Northern Regional Supervisor, covering all the state parks within the north half of the state; tired of traveling, he then changed careers and advanced upward to become administrator in charge of physical plant services for Lake Michigan College of Benton Harbor, until his retirement in 1996. Boredom came, and then he was asked to work at Bethel College as Sgt. In the Security/Safety Department, a position he held until 2001 when he retired at 71 due to health reasons.

Over the many years of employment, Mr. Telsworth has earned numerous awards and commendations for outstanding achievements. The most recent being honored with the Dr. Bernard C. Radde award for distinguished services rendered to Lake Michigan College of Benton Harbor.

Mr. Telsworth was a long-time member of the First Missionary Church in Niles and over the years has held various positions in the churches he has attended.

Friends and family may gather at the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 W. Main (U.S.-12) in Edwardsburg Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. The service of remembrance will be Tuesday at 11 a.m., Nov 13, 2012 at his family church, First Missionary Church, 33332 US-12, East of Niles, where all may gather beginning from 10 to 11 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Dan Miller, Minister of the church. There will be a family burial in Adamsville Cemetery, Edwardsburg.

Family who have passed are his parents, a son Chris, and his only sibling, a brother Donald. His neighbors will always remember him as being “joyful and smiling.”

Memorial contributions may be made to his church, First Missionary Church, 33332 US-12, Niles, MI 49120.