Reverend John F. Holden Wilmington, Delaware Obituary

Reverend John F. Holden

<p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>John was predeceased by his parents and sister, Anne McClanahan.</p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>Viewing</p><p>Saturday, October 22nd 2022 - 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Grace United Methodist Church - 900 N. Washington Street Wilmington, DE 19801</p><p><br></p><p>Celebration of Life</p><p>Saturday, October 22nd 2022 - 11:00 AM - Grace United Methodist Church - 900 N. Washington Street Wilmington, DE 19801</p><p><br></p><p>Internment</p><p>MT. Salem Cemetery (Rockford) Wilmington, DE&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
February 14, 1942 - October 9, 202202/14/194210/09/2022
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D
Deborah Morrison
December 1, 2022
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
R
Rev. Marilyn Cale Turner
October 24, 2022
To the family of Rev. Holden, who I knew as John. I served on the Delaware Ecumenical Council with him. He was such a joy to be around. He had a sense of humor and was always encouraging. His presence with the council will be missed. He was very diligent and would f... Continue Reading
D
Deborah Marshall-Kemp
October 21, 2022
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
C
Carolyn H Carter
October 20, 2022
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
B
Betsy Jackson
October 19, 2022
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
C
Claudette Cain
October 17, 2022
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
M
Madalyn Schultz Petit
October 16, 2022
Dear James and Christopher, I am very sorry to read of your loss. Madalyn Schultz Petit
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Gloria
October 15, 2022
Sending my Condolences to the Family.
S
Susan Dods
October 15, 2022
John was a tremendous friend and support to the recovery community in WIlmington. He supported our First Stop Friday meeting at Mt. Salem throughout the pandemic, enabling us to give help and hope to those in recovery from alcoholism. We will never be able to repay our d... Continue Reading
C
Carolyn Clark (daughter of Adlene Clark)
October 14, 2022
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.
A candle was posted for Reverend John F. Holden.