Ethan Hunter Reed

Ethan Hunter Reed, Age 26, of Portage, MI, entered the arms of Jesus on July 22, 2026.

Ethan was born July 4th, 2000 in Battle Creek, MI, the son of Malcolm Reed and Jill Bays (VanDorsten).

Ethan graduated from Calhoun Christian in 2019 and went on to serve honorably in the United States Navy. During his four years as an aviation support technician aboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, he had the opportunity to experience the world, visiting places such as Croatia, Greece, and Italy.

After his time in the Navy, Ethan worked as a teller at PNC Bank, where he was deeply loved by his patrons. Many would come inside specifically to stand in Ethan’s line, simply for the chance to share a personal, human encounter with him.

Ethan experienced the love and transformation that the Lord brings while attending Fish Farm Church and later Seasons of Change Church in Kalamazoo, MI. Many of his greatest friendships were rooted in Christ—people who poured into him, and people he poured into in return. There is no greater gift than the gift of Godly friends and family. Ethan had an incredible talent for making people feel seen, important, and aware of their worth.

Ethan was not shy about his love for Jesus. His purpose in life was for everyone he encountered to know Him, and the way he loved others reflected that mission.

Ethan lived life to its fullest, excelling as a multi-sport athlete in soccer, football, basketball, and baseball. He faced difficult challenges head-on with a tenacity that inspired others. His smile lit up rooms, and his heart for the Lord made people feel seen and heard. He had a heart for the brokenhearted and for those walking difficult paths. He often sacrificed his own needs to meet the needs of others—praying with strangers in crowded store aisles, walking downtown to pray with the homeless, and even offering them rides back to their living spaces. He simply wanted everyone to know that they mattered and that God loved them. Whether giving his last pennies to help someone buy a bus ticket or stopping to pray with someone in need, Ethan never missed a chance to remind people that God loved them and saw them.

Ethan loved deeply. He loved his family, his friends, and above all, Christ. His mission in life was to leave a legacy that would inspire others to love Christ as well. In his passing, Ethan would not want us to focus only on his absence or remain in our sorrow. He would want us to treasure the time we had with him and to make sure we have a personal relationship with God, so that one day we may be reunited with him in heaven.

Remaining to cherish Ethan’s memory are; parents, Jill and Tyler Bays, Malcolm and Jannelle (Aukerman) Reed; brothers, Elijah and Micah Reed; step-siblings-Don, Jocelyn, Dawson, Jacquelyn Keith (Micah, Peyton, Natalie Flanagan); and grandparents, Ada Harris-Reed, Tim and Brenda VanDorsten, Jeff and Lori Bays, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ethan’s life verse was Romans 8:18 “The pain that you’ve been feeling can’t compare to the joy that is coming”

Family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2026 at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A Celebration of Ethan's Life will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Journey Church, 800 South 24th Street, Battle Creek. The service will be Live-Streamed and may be viewed on the Journey Church Facebook page. Interment with full military honors will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. In the spirit of Ethan’s passion for others, please consider a donation to the Haven of Rest Ministries to bless those who may be walking difficult paths but are still loved and cared for by the Father.