Rev. Burland Margesson

Burland Margesson - known simply as “Pastor” to most - passed away on December 25, 2025. Burland loved nothing more than to tell stories; most of them from growing up in rural Maine, pastoring down the Northeastern coastline, and of the serendipitous encounters he made with everyday people in his neighborhoods, because he simply knew how to make anyone feel loved and seen. So, this is the story of Burland. A pastor, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather and a friend.

Burland loved Jesus. He let his light shine. No matter how tiring or frustrating a day had been, he practiced gratitude and spent time studying and talking about God’s Word. He preached in a deeply passionate, yet simple and memorable manner that drew people closer to Jesus. This was his life’s work - connecting people with Jesus.

Burland was born December 17, 1932 in Caribou, Maine to John and Beatrice (Drake) Margesson. Burland was affectionately called “Bunny,” a nickname that would stick for many years to come. Though he was an only child, he had many cousins on his mother’s side who he worked and played with, helping his uncles on their potato farms and driving tractors from an early age. He impressed his grandchildren with stories of cross country skiing to school - of course, it was uphill both ways.

He was athletic from a young age and an avid fan of all teams in the Northeast area, including Boston teams. Burland attended local schools and played basketball in high school. He began driving a truck for a lumber company during summers, gaining valuable driving skills in all kinds of weather.

Early in his life, Burland would accompany his father to spot airplanes during World War II in the skies above their small town in Northern Maine. These early experiences gave him a love of war history and all kinds of aircraft; his daughters fondly remember him taking them to the airport to watch the planes taking off and landing, quizzing them on the identity of each plane. Later, his grandchildren recall summer after summer of convening with him to watch Sergeant York, his favorite movie, about a World War I soldier from rural Tennessee.

As a boy, Burland built the foundation of his faith attending church with his parents. However, he would always reflect on the moment when he felt a vivid calling to begin preaching – and began pastoring a circuit of small churches from the age of 19. He then pursued further education at Bob Jones University in South Carolina, where he formed several longtime friendships that he cherished. Burland preached everywhere he could, including in missions, prisons, hospitals and on street corners. His career in ministry would last over 70 years, but there was never a time where Burland wasn’t sharing his faith.

It was while attending Bob Jones University that Burland met a remarkable young woman named Maxine Edge. The two began dating and they quickly fell in love. Burland and Maxine were united in marriage in June of 1956. The newlyweds first settled down in Steuben, Maine, where Burland preached at multiple small churches in the area. Burland and Maxine then moved to Westfield, New York. They would call Westfield home for the next seven years while Burland served as a pastor at First Baptist Church.

While living in Westfield, Burland and Maxine were overjoyed to welcome their two daughters, Anda and Risa. He thrived in his role as a father, and though he could be a strict disciplinarian, his girls were his pride and joy. Burland could always find the time for one-on-one time with his daughters. He supported them in all of their activities, and he made sure faith and church were the center of his daughters’ lives. The Margesson family did some traveling, often visiting family in Maine and Georgia. They also enjoyed making short trips to go to museums, parks and especially Niagara Falls - where he could be counted on to be an encyclopedia of all of the incredible survival stories associated.

Over the years, the family moved several times. They spent about seven years serving at Hedstrom Memorial Baptist Church near Buffalo, New York, before moving to serve at Berean Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for 13 years. The family then poured into Salem Baptist Church in North Carolina and Bethel Baptist Church in Jamestown, New York. Finally, Pastor Margesson shepherded First Baptist Church in Lowell, Michigan, for seven more years. Everywhere he went, his first priority was loving and teaching the congregation and community. Once he began serving at a church, Burland was forever known as one of their most beloved pastors. He was usually the first face you would see as you walked up to the front doors of the church, eager to greet every person with a hug, a handshake and a genuinely warm smile. He remembered to ask after the sick parent, the pet, the child going off to college, the upcoming surgeries. He was a great teacher, but also a diligent listener. He was able to genuinely connect with people, and his home was always open. Burland and Maxine were very involved in each church, growing their church families. While serving in Lowell, Maxine’s health began to decline, and Burland dedicated several years to caring for her until she passed away in 2010.

Later in life, Burland was delighted to become a grandfather and even a great-grandfather. He adored his grandkids and did his best to foster personal relationships with each of them. He was there to bless many of their marriages and dedicated many of their children. Shortly after moving into Rest Haven Homes, he was overjoyed to once again find love and companionship with Peggy Whitney. The two shared a special connection and were married at Rest Haven on February 25, 2012, honeymooning in Naples, Florida. A shepherd to his core, Burland became chaplain for the Rest Haven community. Together, he and Peggy served and ministered to those around them until his final days on this earth.

Though he wasn’t one for hobbies, Burland was an avid reader. He enjoyed diving into various history books, devotionals and books on theology, and he studied his Bible faithfully, reading through it many times. He loved driving and taking day trips with Peggy. They would sometimes travel to spend quality time with family and friends. Fallsburg Park was one of Burland’s favorite places to be.

A warm and welcoming presence in the lives of all who were blessed to know him, Burland lived out his faith in word and deed each and every day. He married strong women and raised strong women. His insatiable zest for life was contagious to all who were near, and he strove to shepherd those around him well. Burland was so happy to watch his family grow and prayed earnestly and specifically for each member, faithfully and consistently. Although he is already so greatly missed, Burland leaves behind a collection of memories that his loved ones will forever hold rooted in their hearts.

Rev. Burland Margesson, age 93 of Grand Rapids, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Christmas Day, 2025. Burland was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Dr. Maxine Margesson in 2010, and his step-daughter, Sheryl Cuddyer.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; his children: Anda (Philip) Foxwell of Tokyo, Japan, Risa (Robin) Carpenter of Winston Salem, NC; Peggy’s children: Gary (Cynthia) Whitney, Craig (Angi) Whitney, Son-in-law Bob Cuddyer; Grandchildren: Alanna (Andrew) Geocaris, Tyler (Megan) Foxwell, Jordan (Lora) Foxwell, Kelsey (Erik) Stephens, Marisa (Caleb) Duttweiler, Skyler (Steven) Taylor, Bradyn (Domenick) Fiore; 15 great-grandchildren, as well as many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The service to remember and celebrate Rev. Margesson’s life and ministry will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2025 at 3 PM at North Park Baptist Church, 3365 Coit Ave NE. Friends are invited to visit with his family on Saturday, January 3 from 4-6 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel, and on Sunday at the church beginning at 2 PM.

Interment in Oakwood Cemetery, Lowell. In lieu of flowers, Burland’s family suggests memorial donations to Rest Haven Homes, 1424 Union Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. To read more about Rev. Margesson, to share a memory or photo, or to sign his guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com.