Reverend John Francis Holden, son of Ellsworth Joseph Holden and Evelyn Underwood Holden, was born on February 14, 1942 in Cleveland Ohio. He departed this life on October 9, 2022 in Saint Francis Hospital.

John was a graduate of Parma High School, Ohio University, where he was President of the Campus Religious Council, President of the Wesley Foundation and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fraternity, as well as a graduate of Union Theological Seminary, New York. Most recently he was the pastor at Mount Salem United Methodist Church in Rockford Park. Previously he had worked as the Pastor at Harrison Street UMC, Executive Director of the Methodist Action Program (M.A.P.), Executive Director of West End Neighborhood House, Pastor at Janes UMC and Emmanuel UMC, both in Chestertown, Maryland, as well as Pastor at Silverbrook UMC in Wilmington.

John was an Instructor at the University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. He was an active member of the Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families, as well as a member of The Friends of Wilmington Parks.

John was predeceased by his parents and sister, Anne McClanahan.

John leaves to cherish his memories two brothers: Ellsworth Joseph Holden, Jr. and Neil Donavan Holden (Kay); three sons: R. Maurice (Wooja), James (Yvonne), and Christopher (Jamie); six grandchildren: Tai, Zoe, Ariana, Phoenix, Callie, and Adrian; and a host of other relatives, friends and associates.

Viewing

Saturday, October 22nd 2022 - 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Grace United Methodist Church - 900 N. Washington Street Wilmington, DE 19801

Celebration of Life

Saturday, October 22nd 2022 - 11:00 AM - Grace United Methodist Church - 900 N. Washington Street Wilmington, DE 19801

Internment

MT. Salem Cemetery (Rockford) Wilmington, DE