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Rev. Matthew Paul Sorensen, age 56, Constantine passed away Sunday, January 24, 2010 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born December 20, 1953 in Muskegon, a son of Jack and Donna (Paulson) Sorensen. He graduated from Mona Shores High School in Muskegon in 1972 and from Central Michigan University in 1976. Matt received his Masters of Divinity in 1980 from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He served as minister at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo, and Messiah Lutheran Church in Constantine.
His passions were the love of the Lord, his family, music, books, and lake Michigan. Matt was a compassionate, gentle man, a loving father, grandfather and husband. He married Sheree North on August 7, 1976, who survives along with their three children Joel (Elise) Sorensen, Daniel Sorensen and Sarah Sorensen, grandson David Sorensen, mother Donna Sorensen, sister Kay (Don) Nelson, brother Timothy (Susan) Sorensen, mother-in-law Wilma North, sisters-in-law Janet Hoag, Karen (Darwin) McCoy, Jeri Lynne (Frank) Koenig, nieces and nephews Jim Nelson, Ellen Nelson, Adam Sorensen, Hilary Sorensen, Marie Sorensen, David (Wendy) Hoag, Nicholas Hoag, Daniel Hoag, Rusty Hoag, Steve (Tracy) Hoag, Leeann Hoag, Jenna Hoag, Lauree Hoag, Kailee Hoag, Heather (Brian) Shetterly, and Lindsey (Wayne) Bowen. Matt was preceded in death by his father Jack A. Sorensen, father-in-law Gerald F. North, and brother-in-law Lloyd Hoag.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, from 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. at Eley Funeral Home in Constantine. Visitation will also be Thursday, from 10-11 am at Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge in Kalamazoo, where services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ken Johnson officiating. Memorial contributions in Matt’s memory may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Constantine Township Library. Online messages may be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
