Carver McGriff

His parents were Everett Carver McGriff and Grace Sterling Gray. A year after his birth, they welcomed his brother, Stuart Gray McGriff.

Carver grew up in the 42nd and Carrollton area of Indianapolis, IN. Often, we would drive by this neighborhood so he could relive some of his early memories. He remembered the people and their stories. Our last visit was a couple of weeks ago.

When WWII began, Carver enlisted in the Army and his brother, Stuart, in the Navy. He shared that he and his friends could hardly wait for the adventure ahead.

He was wounded, captured by the enemy and spent a month as a POW before being rescued by the Third Army in Rennes, France.

After the war, he attended and graduated from Butler University through the GI Bill. There he met Ruthanne who became his wife for 25 years until her untimely death. They welcomed their daughter, Amy, in 1954. He was married to Jan McGriff for 12 years.

After a few attempts at business, Carver realized that this was not God’s Calling on his life. He entered Garrett Theological Seminary in 1959 and received an award for « Outstanding Preacher. »

During his 2nd and 3rd years at Seminary, Carver served as student pastor at Waynetown United Methodist Church and nearby Wesley United Methodist Church. Upon graduation from Garrett Theological Seminary, he served Asbury United Methodist Church for 5 years and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for 27 years. Carver continued serving those in our ‘Life’s Love Arena’ for the next 31 years.

So, as Carver McGriff would say, « that’s enough details for me!!!!! ». Although, awards and achievements were many, value for him laid in his ministry in the pulpit and interactions he had with family and friends in our lives.

Carver would tell you that God Gave him one gift-preaching. He touched so many with his messages on how to live Life according to Jesus. Love, Kindness, Generosity and Integrity were the main themes of his sermons. He told his messages with stories that illustrated his main points. Never did he make himself to be the hero...his humor and quick wit were an integral part of who he was and how he lived. We’ve often heard from many » Carver was speaking just to me. »

One of the highlights of his week was meeting with the ‘George Vickery Group’. They were a group of men of diverse backgrounds who met EVERY Wednesday to discuss a wide range of topics, including books and Carver’s sermons. They have been meeting for nearly 60 years!

One of his Retirement endeavors included trips to Normandy to experience his WWII journey and stories. These trips brought many new friendships and deepened old ones.

Carver wrote a number of books in his retirement focusing on preaching and personal stories. Making Sense of Normandy which is a marvelous blend of the historicity of the event and Carver’s own personal story and Waiting for Grace, a story of his Mother, Grace Sterling Gray were two of his favorites.

‘Angels’ were a part of Carver’s Theology. The VA Hospital and the Zionsville Fire Department are filled with an abundance of Angels. We would like to extend our Gratitude to the outstanding medical care that Carver received at the VA Hospital for the last decade of his life. They were professional, caring and kind.

The Zionsville Fire Department have allowed us to live life at home. They rescued Carver from his numerous falls with unfailing kindness and respect; which made it possible for us to live in our home until his passing which was God’s Answered Prayer.

We’ve been Blessed with 3 daughters: Amy Lou (Herb) Chin, Emily Ryan (Tyler) Dugar, Sarah Christena (Holger) Schulz, 9 grandchildren; Corey Carver Chin, Casey Lee Chin, Elizabeth Kathleen Dugar, Jack Atherton Dugar, Ryan Armstrong Dugar, Allison Christena Dugar, Samuel Everett Schulz, Luke Harrison Schulz, Olivia Mae Schulz and tow great-grandchildren; Curren Carver Chin, and Jesse Caldwell Chin.

My vision of Carver cycling/walking down the roads of heaven regaling ALL with his humor and stories fills my heart with Joy and Peace.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN on Saturday, August 3 at 11:00 a.m. You may livestream at: stlukesumc.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carver’s memory may be made to the Community Education and Benevolence Fund at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church or to a charity of your own choice.

God Bless,

Marianne McGriff, Carver’s loving partner/wife for 38 years...