Pastor Benheart M. "Ben" Fulayter

Pastor Benheart M. Fulayter, 70, of Mio passed into the arms of his Savior on Friday, September 8, 2017. He left our world peacefully with his wife and children by his side.
Mr. Fulayter was born November 16, 1946 to Benheart M. and Helen L. Fulayter in Dearborn, MI. He was the fourth born of five children- older brother Ray, brother James, sister Sandra, and younger sister Arlene.
Mr. Fulayter graduated from Croswell / Lexington High School in 1964. He met his wife Alice during the course of that year, and they were married on June 18, 1966.
He attended his Freshman year at Detroit Bible College in 1965, and graduated with a Bachelor of Religious Education degree in May, 1969.
He went on to acquire an Administrative Leadership accreditation with Accelerated Christian Education in Dallas, TX, and a certificate of Educational and Supervised Counseling from the Baptist Association of Biblical Counselors in Virginia Beach, VA. He received his Doctor of Theology degree from Tabernacle Baptist Bible College and Seminary, Virginia Beach, VA, in May 2004.
Pastor Fulayter spent over forty years in active ministerial service. He served as youth pastor at Bethel Baptist Church and again at Alpha Baptist Church in Detroit, MI, and went on to serve as senior pastor at Thornville Community Church of Metamora, MI, Child's Bible Church of Onondaga, MI, Atlanta Bible Church of Atlanta, MI, Calvary Baptist Church of Gaylord, MI, Donaldson - Memorial Baptist Church of Waterford, MI, Faith Baptist Church of Fairview, MI, and Clayton Bible Church of Clayton, MI.
He also served as interim pastor at Hemlock Road Baptist Church of Tawas City, MI., and served as a member of the Board of Directors of both Tabernacle Baptist Bible College and Seminary and Hampton Roads Biblical Counseling.
Pastor Fulayter loved sharing the Gospel and had a deep love for people. While not preaching the Gospel from the pulpit, he centered much of his ministry in the area of personal and marital counselling. He also founded a Christian school in northern Michigan, and was instrumental in uniting three small churches in the Clarkston / Waterford area into one flourishing work. Pastor Fulayter was also a substitute teacher at Springfield Christian Academy in Clarkston, and was a favorite devotional speaker at the Christian youth skate night and various youth functions.
He spent much of his personal time in the out-of-doors, loved camping, and was an avid hunter and angler.
He and his wife recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in St. Clair, MI with many friends and family attending.
Pastor Fulayter is survived by his wife Alice of Mio, his children, Benheart (Julie) Fulayter Jr. of Atlanta, Bethany (Stuart) Nieber of San Benito, TX, and Barry (Jennifer) Fulayter of Kalamazoo; his grandchildren, Brett Nieber, David Nieber, Chulita Crawford, Garrett Crawford, Noel Lessl, Mathieu Lessl, Alyssa Fulayter, Cailyn Connors, Jordan Bohn, Aaron Bohn, Tenlee Fulayter and Tanner Fulayter; and great grandson Elijah Crawford.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother James, and sister Arlene (Hendra).
Visitation Monday, September 11, 2017 1-4 & 6-9. at Lashley Funeral Home, Inc. and Tuesday, September 12, 2107 10:00 AM. until the time of Funeral Services at 11:00 AM at The Mio Baptist Church, with Reverend Glynn McMorris officiating. Interment at Albert Township Cemetery Lewiston, MI.
Arrangements by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio.