Rex Earl Root

Rex Earl Root, age 91 of Lake City, formerly of Manton, passed away August 23, 2025 at Whispering Pines Living Center in Lake City. Rex was born in Caldwell Township of Missaukee County on December 29, 1933 to John E. and Ruby Opal (Reynnels) Root. He was the third born in the family of nine. Rex grew up in Missaukee County and attended the Shippy Country School and graduated from Manton High School in 1953. Rex gave his heart to Jesus at the age of 25. Rex graduated from Greenville University in Illinois in 1964. He married Bethel Mae Luce in December of 1964 and they shared 61 years of marriage.

Rex taught school at Coopersville for a year and then in Alaska for three years. He pastored for three years at the Free Methodist Church in Gladstone and then taught school in Manton from 1971 until 2000 when he retired. Rex was a teacher, a farmer, and an active member of the Free Methodist Church for many years. He opened his home to children as a foster parent. He enjoyed hunting and was an avid fisherman. He and Bethel wintered for twenty five years at Light and Life Park in Florida.

Rex was a devoted husband to Bethel and a loving father to his three daughters, Daris Rae Hughes, Denise Ann (Rod) Coxon and Dorine Mae (Kevin) Koster. He was cherished by his eight grandchildren, McKenzie Hughes, Olivia (Antonio) Bellis, Savannah (Brandon) Werner, Victoria (Gage) Battles, and Zoe, Summer, Eden and Xander Coxon. He is survived by three sisters; Joyce (Bill) Johnson, Linda Bainbridge and Ruthann (Harold) Dodde and is loved by many nieces and nephews. Rex was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Harry, Ray, Wayne, Dallas and Glen.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025 at the Jennings Community Church with Pastor Ron Sischo officiating. There will be visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., prior to services and also on Thursday, August 28, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Young-Holdship Funeral Home in Lake City.

Memorial contributions in memory of Rex may be directed to the Living Waters Hospitality House and mailed to: 2361 W. Beeler Road, Lake City, MI 49651.

The Young-Holdship Funeral Home in Lake City is serving the family. Words of comfort and memories may be shared at www.holdshipfuneralhomes.com. 

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