With Light & Love
In Remembrance
It is with honor we take time to acknowledge the passing and contributions of our former staff. Countless individuals during the founding of Song of the Morning gave selflessly as staff members, working to bring the vision that Master gave Yogacharya to life. It was a time period when payment was in the form of spiritual progress, and contributions from staff formed the solid base on which the Retreat is thriving to this day.
Dennis B. Crabill
Dennis B. Crabill, 78 of Gaylord, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Munson Otsego Memorial Hospital. Longtime member of Song of the Morning, Denny served in many capacities - as kitchen manager, retreat manager, musician, and service reader while at SOM from 1986 - 2001. He will be remembered as a friend to many.
You may wish to write a tribute in the guest book at gaylordfuneralhome.com.
A memorial service will be at held at Song of the Morning on Sunday, May 3 at 12:30 pm following our service. There will be a 2 pm Celebration of Life meal you can register to join here.
“In the midst of my sadness at your passing, comforting memories surface. I will always remember your welcoming friendliness, your kindness, your enthusiasm for life, and your compassion. I thoroughly enjoyed the meals you served as the skilled, cheerful chef at the Song of the Morning Yoga Retreat center. I miss those meals. Your belief in, and your dedication to, your chosen spiritual path is an inspiration as was your playing the harmonium for meditations and services at the center. I miss you already, Denny, my friend. Rest now in peace.”
-Suzy Van Camp
Jakob Muller
June 1, 1942 - October 9, 2025
Jakob Muller was born in a small village in Switzerland on June 1, 1942 as the youngest of eight children. His early years were filled with dreams and a carefree life. A new chapter began when he started school. Jakob completed primary and secondary education, followed by his military service, and a toolmaker apprenticeship.
In 1974 Jakob moved to Song of the Morning and became a Staff member. He joined Jeff Duncan and Roy Thibodeau as one of the male staff members. This staff has become known as the second staff. He brought maturity and stability to the staff and a ferocious work ethic. Jakob was friendly, kind, intelligent, and deeply rooted in his spiritual practices, meditation, and Kriya Yoga. Later after he left the SOM staff and moved to Detroit, Yogacharya named Jakob one of the 4 people to lead Sunday Service at the Detroit Institute of Arts when Yogacharya decided to live at SOM full time.
During this time, he was introduced to his wife, Mary K. Byrnes by Dorothy Stingley and they were married. After a time, they decided that Michigan was too cold, so they decided to move to Pheonix, Arizona. Mary, an artist, became busy with her beautiful designs, while Jakob continued working as a toolmaker. In 1986, Jakob started a new business, Swisstech Tooling Manufacturing Inc, which quickly grew. Within a few years, he became quite successful. Life was good but filled with many obligations, and in 2012 he decided to sell everything. They bought a second home in Wailuku, HI and travelled back and forth between Scottsdale, AZ and Wailuku, HI, but when that became too difficult, they sold the home in Hawaii and moved back to Scottsdale full time.
Remembering Bob Korb
October 11, 1943 - January 17, 2025
We would like to acknowledge the passing of our dear spiritual brother and friend, Bob Korb, a long-time member of Song of the Morning Ranch. Bob served on the Golden Lotus Board for nearly 25 years and served as Chair for 15. He made the long drive from Milwaukee to the Ranch for every Board meeting and was instrumental in the founding of our Clear Light Community. He truly loved Song of the Morning and was loyal to Yogacharya until the very end. Our members loved and respected Bob dearly. Information on plans for celebrating Bob’s life and honoring his memory can be found here.
“Our real self, the soul, is immortal. We may sleep for a little while in that change called death, but we can never be destroyed. We exist, and that existence is eternal. The wave comes to the shore, and then goes back to the sea; it is not lost. It becomes one with the ocean, or returns again in the form of another wave. This body has come, and it will vanish; but the soul essence within it will never cease to exist. Nothing can terminate that eternal consciousness.”
-Paramahansa Yogananda