TRAVERSE CITY — John B. Heim, 81, of Traverse City, passed away March 17, 2012, at Birchwood Nursing Center. John was born on Sept. 1, 1930, in Traverse City, to the late Ernest and Evelyn (Bennett) Heim. On Oct. 2, 1954, John married Charlene L. Nickel, and together they have shared 56 wonderful years of marriage. John was a farmer, a preacher and a friend to all. Early in John's life he was an agriculture salesman selling fertilizer and livestock feed. In recent years he felt the calling to become a pastor. He served as pastor in Gagetown and Owendale Methodist Churches, having previously attended the Traverse Bay United Methodist Church. John was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department in Owendale, the Lion's Club, the Future Farmers of America and served as their state president in 1948. John is survived by his wife, Charlene; his daughter, Christina (Tim) Wood, of Holland; son, Jerry (Jamie) Heim, of Traverse City; son, John "Jim" Heim, of Bay City; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Joanna Fields, of Grand Rapids; five cousins; five nieces; and two nephews. John was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Fain Nickel and Dozier Fields Jr., and son-in-law Phil VanderWoude.A memorial service will be held at the Traverse Bay United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 29, 2012, at 1 p.m., with Pastor Jane Lippert presiding. Memorial contributions in memory of John may be directed to the Owendale Fire Department, Owendale, MI 48754; or to the Future Farmers of America, State FFA Office, 108 Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.