of North Little Rock, AR
January 4, 1938 - April 26, 2022
Obituary for Michael Wilson Danchenko
Michael Wilson Danchenko, 84, recently of North Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away in his home on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. His final moments of life were shared in the loving presence of a few family members, including his wife of 63 years, Mary.
Pastor Mike's life will long be celebrated and honored by his many friends and people he introduced to the Lord, but especially by his surviving family members, his wife Mary (Marilyn) Danchenko; his daughter, Kim White (Doran); his three sons, Jeff, Tad (Magan), and Josh Danchenko; his much-loved nine grandchildren; and five great grandchildren; and his surviving siblings, Ted Wilson and Diane Ramm.
Pastor Mike was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; and three sisters.
Michael was born the 5th child into a very poor Minnesota family on January 4, 1938. Weighing in at almost three pounds, he was immediately placed in a shoe box alongside a filled and heated Mason jar to keep him warm. As a gift of love, his parents took their newborn son to their Russian-immigrant great aunt and uncle, Ruby and Taris Danchenko. Their hope was that he would thrive on the Wisconsin family farm with an abundance of sunlight, fresh cow's milk, home grown produce and family history. His mother visited, but Mike grew up on the farm and was officially adopted at 18 years old.
Pastor Danchenko was humble, mild-mannered, unassuming until he stepped into the pulpit to preach or into the Bible Institute classroom to teach. His life mission was simply to preach and to teach. And he did. His many years of ministry included Clarksville, Deer, North Little Rock, Russellville, and Van Buren, Arkansas; Blairsburg, Iowa; and Houston, Texas. Even in his most recent Emergency Room visit, gowned-up and connected to oxygen, he quickly changed back into his street clothes, washed his face, and combed his hair to attend to the young man he heard loudly crying out for pain relief from sickle cell anemia. Without regard for his own medical condition that brought him to the ER, Pastor Mike talked to the young man about the Lord. Only after the comforted and now-quiet patient accepted the Lord as his Savior, Pastor quietly returned to his own ER bed.
Those of us who will remain on this Earth a bit longer can only hope that Pastor Mike has already found a place to go ''junking'' in the mornings, a few ole buddies to challenge in Cribbage, and a couple of antique car shows to scrutinize in the late afternoons. Oh, and a Dairy Queen to celebrate his sweet tooth with a large DQ Blizzard to go, please!
A Celebration of Life for Pastor Michael Wilson Danchenko will be held Saturday, May 7th at 11:00 a.m. at The Church at Burns Park, 295 W. Military Drive in North Little Rock.
Donations may be made to ''thechurchatburnspark.org'' where Pastor Mike ministered for many years.
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16 Condolence(s)
Carol and Steve Pittman
Saturday, December 17, 2022
December 17, 2022
Dear Mary,
We just learned of Pastor Mike's passing today. We are so, so, sorry. Our 50th wedding anniversary is next week and we were thinking of you both. We were in the Russellville church and were his second wedding. You and Pastor Mike mentored us as we stepped into marriage. Steve was transferred to Oklahoma City about a year later. We appreciate you both very much. May the God of all comfort continue to comfort your heart and your family's hearts. Love in Christ, Carol Pittman
Georgene Barr McKenzie
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Mary, I am so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. My daughter, Lori, saw it in the Alliance paper. We have fond memories of the times that you all came to Arbutus and Letty's and our kids all played together.
It was just a year ago, August 23 that Arbutus passed away. Prayers for you and your family.
Georgene
Stacia Stenholtz
Saturday, May 7, 2022
Uncle Mike, so thankful you were a part of my life. A godly example. You are loved and missed. Love and prayers for your family. Love, your niece, Stacia (Olds) Stenholtz
Bob Allison
Friday, May 6, 2022
Pastor Mike Danchenko is a giant in my “Hero’s of the Faithful.†We met in 1981 at ABC Church in north Houston. My wife, Debbie and I, fell in love with Mike and Mary at our first meeting at ABC North Houston. Today I consider Mike to have been the man God used to mentor me through out my 30’s and 40’s. God used Mike to open the doors for my entrance into the pulpit ministries. Now, after 39 years of ministry I have many sweet memories of being with and beside my my mentor, my dear friend, and my beloved brother. My heart has been, and still is, bonded, to the heart and soul of Michael Danchenko. I will miss our biblical discussions and playing cribbage with my friend. I love him and will continue to love him during my time on this earth. Oh, how I look forward to walking in glory with him for Eternity. Thank you God for Pastor Mike, his love, his joy, his passion, his life. Thank you Mary for sharing Mike with me so many many times. My prayers are with you and with all of your children, and your children’s children. Well, done my faithful friend. See you in Glory! Ps 16:11
Carla Edwards
Thursday, May 5, 2022
He was such a wonderful man. Love and prayers for his family.
Doug & Karen Hautz
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Doug and I have wonderful memories of the Alliance Church in Houston and Pastor Danchenko. I remember meeting in his garage every Sunday. No one could ever deny that He loved Jesus! I’m so thankful for his teaching in my life.
Joy Dauzat
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
I have fond memories as a child with Pastor Mike at Alliance Bible Church. He was also my godfather and officiated our wedding nearly 22 years ago. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I’m sorry for your loss.
Steve Ohlin
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
With fond memories of Uncle Mike. Love and prayers for Aunt Mary, cousins, and all of the family.
Sandra Combs Allen
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Bill and I were blessed to have Mike as our pastor and the family who also served in the founding of the Alliance Bible Church of North Houston. We were a young and growing family and have such fond memories of his passionate preaching, delightful singing and worship with big smiles, and ever motivating the church body to fervently love and serve the Lord! We gained a lot from his course studies at Alliance Bible Institute that he created! Mike is very dear to our hearts!
Much love and God's comfort to Mary, Jeff, Kim, Tad, and Josh!
Love, Bill & Sandy Allen
Pam Reed (Moore)
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Wonderful to have known him for 65 years. Lots of great memories!
Rose Burroughs
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Although I never met Pastor Mike I know he was a amazing man to have raised my friend Kim. I’ve heard stories and can only imagine the happiness in his home. I recall a few occasions of Kim and me busting out gospel songs at work knowing her dad would be proud. Rest In Peace pastor. Your work on earth is done. Love you Kim and Doran.
Julie Gober
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Thank for giving to the Lord, Pastor Mike. I am one of the many lives that were changed by your devotion to God’s Word. You are loved and will be missed, but we rejoice at knowing you are walking with Jesus. Much love to your family.
Sandra Clark
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
May he be rejoicing with the Lord and all of his family that were there to greet him with open arms. May the ones he left behind be comforted by his presence and know they will meet again when it’s time. I never had the chance to meet Kim’s father but I wish I had. I heard stories that were wonderful memories she will carry with her. Our love and prayers for the family that is missing him. â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸
Charles Johnson
Monday, May 2, 2022
A kind person that loved God, and was a mentor to me.
He will be missed here on earth, but is now with God for the ages.
Psalms 116:15
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
Shawn Ragsdale
Monday, May 2, 2022
Such a great man. It is an honor to have known him. Praying for the family.
Mike Sawyer
Friday, April 29, 2022
Michael was a wonderful man and a dear friend. I am blessed to have known him.