Reverend Ike Pope

Reverend Ike Pope

LASALLE – Reverend Kenneth Ike Pope, age 66, of LaSalle, Michigan peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 19 after a year-long battle with cancer.

Born December 5, 1957, in Monroe, Michigan, Ike was the son of the late Kenneth G. Pope and Wilma (Mayes) Pope. Ike graduated from Erie Mason High School in 1976. He was a journeyman laborer and carpenter known affectionately as “Rev,” always carrying his Bible to job sites. He had the pleasure of working alongside his dad for several years during his career, and both Popes took great pride in producing quality work.

Ike’s true passion was music. His Uncle Wayne Mayes, who was more like a brother, taught him to play the guitar as a teenager. The two would become lifelong musical companions. This musical legacy continued when Ike taught his son Kyle, daughter Andrea, and grandson Noah (his protégé) to play, too.

Ike married the love of his life, his “darling,” Nancy (Neely) Pope on December 4, 1982. The pair loved hosting family gatherings, cooking fantastic food, and listening to all sorts of music together. They had three children: Andrea, Kyle, and Krissy. Ike took great pride in teaching his children how to sing for the Lord, and The Pope Family gospel group formed. Once Ike and Nancy became grandparents, “Gampsy” loved spoiling his four grandbabies: Kylee, Kaleb, Noah, and Natalie.

Ike was a minister and announced his calling to preach in 1990. He devoted countless hours to studying God’s word and collecting Bibles. He was a member of Evergreen Acres Missionary Baptist Church.

To cherish his memory, Ike leaves his mother, Wilma Pope; his wife Nancy Pope; his children Andrea (Stephen) Evers, Kyle (Melanie) Pope, Kristina (Bryan) Lynch; grandchildren Kylee and Kaleb Pope, Noah and Natalie Lynch; sisters Pam (Lyle) Goodridge, Lisa (John) Sherry, and Kathy (Jeff) Myers; and his treasured uncle Pete Pope.

Ike was preceded in death by his newborn sister, Connie Vanessa Pope; his dad, Kenneth G. Pope; his mother and father-in-law Florence and Wade Neely; beloved aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Family and friends may visit Rupp Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 24, from 2:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral will take place on Thursday, July 25, at Rupp Funeral Home starting at 11:00 am. Rev. Jake Clawson will officiate. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be sent to www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com