Marcus Howard Solmes' Obituary
Marcus H. Solmes Sr., 82, of Alma, Michigan, passed away September 5, 2020, at his home surrounded by his wife and family. In 2014, doctors gave him three days to live due to kidney failure, but with hard work, determination, and prayer, he was blessed with six more years of living a blessed life.
Marcus was born in Farmington, New Mexico to parents Walter Howard Solmes and Ida Marie Hamiliton Solmes. Marcus graduated from Alfordsville High School in Indiana and attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He married Joann M. Heier of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and together they were married for 63 years.
Marcus well remembered asking Jesus to come into his heart when he was three years old. In a conversation with his mother, he came to realize that his mom and dad were going to be in heaven if they died, and he wanted to make sure that he would go to heaven, too. That became a story that he would often tell others as he shared with them that they too, could have a personal relationship with Jesus and have eternal life.
Through the years Marcus served as Pastor and Church Administrator in various locations including Indiana, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Illinois. He also held a variety of other positions including Director of Accounts Receivable at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD; Administrator at Christian Life Retirement Center in Rockford, Illinois; Business Manager at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale ND; Chaplain and Coordinator at the Rockford Rescue Mission in Rockford, Illinois; Credit Manager and Safety Coordinator at Miller Engineering in Rockford, Illinois; and most recently worked at the Pentecostal Church of God District Office, before retiring.
With a sharp eye for detail, Marcus was a gifted gardener and landscaper. He enjoyed collecting clocks and model cars. He and his wife belonged to a Christian Motorcycle Club (CMA), riding together with friends in various states. Whether you were his waiter, health provider, neighbor, or a stranger on the street, Marcus would share some humor and an encouraging word, making a new friend wherever he went. Loved and respected by his friends and family, Marcus now stands in the presence of the Lord; the rich reward of that decision made so long ago, and made possible only by the grace of Jesus Christ.
Marcus is survived by his wife, Joann; his daughters, Faith (Nathan) of Michigan, and Melody (Trevor) of Washington; his grandchildren, Seth (Rebecca), Sheena (Ryan), Dawson (Celeste), Mya; Taylor (Caroline), Evan, and Bryson (Tiara); and six great grandchildren, Arwen, Caspian, Elora, Gwynevere, Irene, and Kalmar. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ida; his stepmother, Dorothy Solmes; his brothers, Matthew, Stephen, and Kemuel; his son, Marcus Jr.; and his grandson, Gabriel.
A Celebration of Marcus's life will be held at the Mt. Pleasant Nazarene Church on June 7, 2025 at 12 P. M. with Seth Mallay officiating. The service will also include celebrating the lives of Joann Solmes and Nathan Mallay. A lite luncheon will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to medical missionary Dr. Seth Mallay (grandson) to help him and his family return to Togo, Africa (Mallays on a Mission).
www. mallaysonamission. com/
www. abwe. org/work/missionaries/seth-and-rebecca-mallay
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