Mr. Erwin J. Cooper, age 82, of Cedar Springs, passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2010. He grew up in Oakfield Township and left school so he could help his family by working on the farm. Erwin was drafted in to the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He first met his sweetheart, Bernice at a barn dance that her father, Claude Towns was calling. They were married on November 11, 1949 at her parents’ home in Cedar Springs. For 36 ½ years Erwin worked as a machine operator for Lear Siegler where he also served as Union Stewart. While working, he also continued to farm. Since Erwin worked seven days a week, there were times that his wife Bernice would take the kids camping. He provided well for his family and was a perfectionist in whatever he did. After retiring, Erwin worked for Carl Hessler. When there was time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Erwin was a member of the American Legion Glen Hill Post #287. Mr. Cooper was preceded in death by brothers, LaVern and Ben and a great grandson, Colten James Cassidy. He is survived by his loving wife, the former Bernice Towns; children, Bruce and Barb Cooper, Gloria and Bill Grice, Carl and Tina Cooper, Brenda and Dan Burns, Nate and Dawn Cooper; 8 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; brothers, Paul Cooper, James (Marion) Cooper, Charles (Connie) Cooper, and Roger Cooper; nieces and nephews. The service for Mr. Cooper will be Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Overton officiating. Military honors will be under the auspices of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard with interment in Blythefield Memory Gardens. Relatives and friends met with the family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Arrangements by The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Arthur Roberts age 68 of Howard City passed away Aug 14 at his residence. He was born Sept. 6, 1941 in Grand Rapids the son of Herman and Isabelle Williams ( Nestle ) Roberts.   Art worked at Sparta Foundry for approx 22 years.  He then worked in Retail for another 20 years working at the Quik Stop as well as the Viking Mart. He loved playing softball, bowling, and spending time with family and friends. In 1962 he married Shirley Phelps who survives; also surviving are his children Michael (Terri) Roberts of Howard City, Christine (Scott) Jewett of Fremont, Karen (Bill) Misner of Howard City, Cheryl Roberts Parker of Howard City; 10 Grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; His brothers and sisters Pat Rosely, Herman (Sunny) Roberts, LeRoy Roberts, Fred Roberts, Ruth Ann Loftis, Carl Nestle, Gary Nestle and Dan Nestle; His mother in Law Helen Phelps; brothers in law Dan (Henri) Phelps, Kenneth (Cindi) Phelps; Sisters in law Susan (Bill) Siegel, Sandra (Bill) Ives; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services took place on Wednesday at the Croton Community Church.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Heckman Funeral Home of Howard City

Mr. Mark S. Rau, age 51, of Cedar Springs, passed away very unexpectedly on Saturday, August 7, 2010. He grew up on the family farm in Cedar Springs where he helped his family and also his neighbors. Mark was a graduate of Kent City High School; he played and lettered in football. Through friends, Mark and Christy met and had their first date at a Mexican restaurant. After a loving courtship they were married on July 14, 1979, a very hot day, at Mary, Queen of the Apostles Church by Fr. John Porter. After his graduation Mark began an apprenticeship as a plumber, and then began working for Van’s Plumbing & Heating, and later Gebhardt’s Plumbing & Heating. After completing his Master Plumbers license, he started his own business, Mark S. Rau Plumbing & Heating and did independent contracting for Bradford-White Corp.  He and Christy were the best of companions, especially golfing and antiquing. Mark also participated in a golf league. He was the perfect father who taught his children to be loving and good to others. Mark was a nature lover, and his children remember his talks about nature and what was made. He provided them with a strong faith in God. They recall the many good times they had water skiing, snowmobiling, or just working together. Mark was a simple man who was very passionate about the less fortunate. He also had Bella, his talking parrot, who only connected with him. Mark is survived by his loving wife, Christy; children, Ann Rau and her fiancé, Kendall Busbee of Coopersville, and Steven Mark and Jamie Rau of Cedar Springs; grandchildren, Alyssa Michelle Rau, Hayden Lee Busbee, and Xander Steven Rau; mother, Mrs. Steven (Delores) Rau of Cedar Springs; sister, Kathy and Randy Kahrs of Casnovia; brother, Tom and Roxanne Rau of Cedar Springs; nieces and nephews; and Christy’s loving family. He was preceded in death by his father, Steven Wesley Rau, his nephew, Kristopher Kahrs, and his mother-in-law, Marcia Fries. The service for Mark was Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Mary, Queen of the Apostles Church, Sand Lake, with Rev. Joseph W. Kenshol officiating. Interment in Solon Township Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the needs of the family. Relatives and friends met with the family from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Mary, Queen of the Apostles Church and prior to the service.
Arrangements by The Pederson
Funeral Home, Rockford
www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

(Trufant) Virginia Ruth Hubbard (Hawley) age 68 passed away on Monday, August 9, 2010. She was born September 20, 1941 in Solon Township to Frank and Lillian Hawley. She was a member of the Huggard Bible Church, a 4-H Leader for 15 years, and the Quarterhorse Association, and a long time press carrier. She loved to hunt, fish, and scrapbook.  She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Richard; children, Todd and Tanya Hubbard, Amy and Todd Witherspoon, Guy Hubbard; her grandchildren, Timothy Hubbard, Ester Hubbard, Hannah Hubbard, Luke Hubbard, Ashley Witherspoon, Bailey Witherspoon; sister, Ilene and Gordon Reichelt; father in law, Leo Hubbard; in laws, Linda Jenkins, Mary Jane Dillon, Rodney and Betty Hubbard; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 13, 11:00 A.M. at the Huggard Bible Church, Sand Lake, MI with Rev. Jonathan Williams officiating. Interment in Idlewild Cemetery, Kent City, MI.
Funeral services by Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home, Sparta