Obituary of Reverend Wayne S. Underhill

Reverend Wayne S. Underhill, 88, of Peabody, husband of Marilyn M. (Van Gundy) Underhill, died on Monday, December 3, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loving and caring family. Rev. Underhill was born in Allston, MA on May 30, 1924, son of Cornelius W. and Lillian “Edith” (Torngren) Underhill. He graduated from Newton High School in 1942. While at Morningside College in Iowa, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was sent to Officer Candidate School at Denison University in Ohio. He served in Japan with the Occupation Forces from 1945-1946, and was honorably discharged as 2nd Lieutenant. He went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Denison, his Theological Degree from Yale Divinity School, and was ordained into the ministry in 1954. For 20 years Rev. Underhill served in campus ministries at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, and the Student Christian Movement in New England, while he & Lynn raised their family in Sudbury, MA. Rev. Underhill also served 24 years as minister of Belchertown United Methodist Church, St. Paul’s UMC in Lowell, Lake Shore Park UMC and Trinity UMC both in Lynn, and 11 years in retirement as Minister-of-Visitation at College Ave. UMC in Somerville. Rev. Underhill was a loving husband and father who devoted his life to causes of justice, peace in the Middle East, and caring for others. He was an avid sports fan, lover of music, reading, traveling, and politics. In addition to his wife Marilyn, with whom he shared 64 ½ years of marriage, Rev. Underhill is survived by his children and their spouses, Grant W. and Kathy Underhill of Chapel Hill, NC, Sharon L. Underhill of Peabody, MA, Lauren J. Underhill of Newington, CT, Gretchen M. Underhill James and Richard P. James of Merrimack, NH; his grandchildren, Lara Harding of NC, Katie Underhill of NY, Kelly James and Fred James, both of NH; 3 nieces and a nephew. He was predeceased by his brother Dr. Warren E. Underhill of Sylvania, OH. The family wishes to express their deepest thanks to his personal caregivers Ines, Wonser and Pura for their loving care during the last several months of his life. Reverend Underhill’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Lake Shore Park United Methodist Church, 32 Bay State Rd., Lynn, MA. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. His visiting hours will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012 from 2–4 and 6–8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, MA. A family committal of ashes will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lake Shore Park UMC, 32 Bay State Rd., Lynn, MA 01904, Spectrum Adult Day Health Program, 600 Cummings Center, Beverly, MA 01915, or to the Reconciling Ministries Network, 123 W. Madison St., Ste. 2150, Chicago, IL 60602. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.