Richard James Frey Sr., age 86, of Sand Lake, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 16, 2019 with his loving family at his side. Born September 3, 1933, he learned the value of hard work helping with the family fruit orchards and dairy farm. He married Eleanor Patin on April 16, 1955 at St. Mary’s Parish in Sand Lake. They have two sons: Richard and David; and three daughters: Mary, Margaret, and Catherine. Richard served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957, stationed in Fort Benning, GA and Colorado Springs, CO. He was a group leader at Rowe AMI in Grand Rapids, where he worked for 41 years. Richard was a true family man who was always there to love, support, and encourage his large family. He never missed a birthday or family function, and he rarely missed sporting events. His love for sports was undeniable as he cheered on all University of Michigan teams. True to his competitive nature, he played softball until age 80. In recent years he also enjoyed watching his sons’ softball games. He lived in Sand Lake his whole life but made friends everywhere he went. Richard joins his parents Harry and Blanche (Verberg) Frey; mother-in-law and father-in-law Aloysius and Dorothy (Rouse) Patin; sister Jean, brothers Donald (Betty), John, William (Evelyn), George; sister-in-law Vera Frey, brothers-in-law Eugene Smith, Rod Misner, and Clarence Miller. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Eleanor; siblings and siblings-in-law Robert, Maynard Smith, Rosemary (Patin) Frey, Mary Ann Misner and special friend John Cornell, Maxine (Frey) Miller, Jim and Sharon Frey, Dorothy Smith, Virginia Patin, Bernadette Thomas and Larry Deane, Mary Anne Patin; children Richard (Jennifer), Mary (Jeffrey Perrin) Frey, Margaret (Mark) Jackson, Catherine (Douglas) Huizinga, and David; grandchildren Michael (Jill), Theresa (Josh), Catherine (Ryan), Paul, Emily, Jennifer (Lester), Jeremy (Grace), Megan (Bryan), Christopher, Abigail, Ryker (Rosie), Rachel, Caleb; great-grandchildren Henry, Vivian, Donovan, Benjamin, Alayna, Catherine, Jana, Benjamin, and Caleb. He had countless very special nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors. He will be missed by all. The family will greet friends Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where a Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday 11:00 a.m. at Mary Queen of Apostles, Sand Lake. Rev. Fr. Lam Le celebrant. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sand Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of donor’s choice. 

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Gerald “Jerry” William Mahlich, age 84, of Cedar Springs, MI, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Phyllis (Butler) Mahlich in 2016, his parents and six siblings. Jerry is survived by his children, Karen (Curt) Tackmann and Tim (Laura) Mahlich; grandchildren; Damian (Lindsay) Mahlich; Jeffrey (Nicole) Tackmann, Rebecca (Phil) Cronin, Alex Tackmann, Logan Tackmann, Adam (Destiny) Villalobos, Cole Villalobos, and Mark Villalobos; great-grandchildren, Mason, Maddy, Silas, Martin, and Mari; brothers-in-law; Gene Butler and Jim Butler; sister-in-law; Nancy Mumah; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2019 with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Rockford United Methodist Church, 59 Maple Street, Rockford, MI 49341. Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to the Cedar Springs Education Foundation, 204 E Muskegon Street, Cedar Springs, MI 49319

Arrangements by Pederson 

Funeral Home, Rockford

Betty Sue Parcher, age 78, of Cedar Springs, Michigan passed away on September 12, 2019 at her home. She was born on July 9, 1941 the daughter of Chester and Lucy Galehouse. Betty was raised in St. Louis, Michigan and attended school there before graduating from Cedar Springs High School. Betty married Francis Parcher in 1972. She was employed by Gibsons and as an RN at Belding Hospital. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, reading, especially loved stories and watching Blue Bloods, In the Heat of the Night and Murder She Wrote on TV. Betty is survived by her son, Joseph “CJ” “Joe” Dittenber (Amy Gwen Martin) of Cedar Springs; her daughter, Violet (Brian) Bissell of Muskegon; grandchildren, Nicole Martin, Connor Martin, CJ Dittenber II; sisters, Pam Heiss, Ruth Galehouse; brother, Jay Galehouse; and a nephew, Bruce Heiss. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Parcher in 1981; her parents, Chester and Lucy Galehouse; and her brothers and sister, Fred, Larry and Fern Galehouse. A memorial service for Betty will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2019 at Brigham Funeral Chapel in Edmore. The Family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Condolences to the family may be made utilizing the guestbook at www.brighamfuneralchapel.com 

Arrangements by Brigham Funeral 

Chapel, Edmore 

An amazing and wonderful woman known also as ‘Jackie’ passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Jesus provided great comfort and mercy to her always. She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Eddie Stinson.

Thomas F. Zerfas, age 73, of Cedar Springs, died Thursday, September 5, 2019 at his home. Tom was born March 7, 1946 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Reynold and Bernice (Saller) Zerfas. He was an avid outdoorsman and a loving father and grandfather. He enjoyed attending his grandkids’ events. Surviving are his wife, Sharon, whom he married on October 30, 1965; children, John (Tonya Fenton) Zerfas, Barb (Jeff) Gust, Peter (Amy) Zerfas, Kris (Larry) Nylaan, Sarah (Joe) Morse; 16 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; siblings, Rose Balczak, Richard (Donna) Zerfas, Hank (Wendy) Zerfas, Ron (Pam) Zerfas; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Jim Balczak. A Memorial Mass was held Monday, September 9 at Mary Queen of Apostles Church, Sand Lake. A celebration of his life followed the mass in the church hall. Private family interment at St. John’s Cemetery, Ensley Township. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice. 

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

Norma E. Mabie, age 80, of Cedar Springs, passed away Sunday, September 1, 2019 at her home with her family in attendance. She was born March 18, 1939 in Whitehall, MI the daughter of Norman and Marguerite (Tysman) Westphal. She worked for Keeler Brass for 34 years and loved to knit and crochet. Surviving are her children, Roy Walter (Kathy) Mabie, Lisa (John) Blair, Linda Kilts, Jennifer (Gene) Hoover; 7 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Lois Parks; brother, Howard Westphal. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Michael Mabie; ex-husband, Roy Henry Mabie; brother-in-law, Duane Parks; sister-in-law, Celia Rose Westphal. The family will greet friends Saturday, September 7 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Solon Center Wesleyan Church, 15671 Algoma Avenue, Cedar Springs. Pastor Craig T. Owens officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hand 2 Hand. 

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

Max E. Parker was born to Lee and Leona (Bremmer) Parker on April 15, 1947 and joined his Heavenly Father on August 31, 2019. He graduated from Tri County high school and served in the United States Army. Max is survived by his children, Nancy Parker, Lisa (Jason) Spielmaker, Bruce (Mindy) Parker; 6 grandchildren, Timothy, Drake, Zander, Emily, Olivia and Alexander. Private services were held at Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and he was laid to rest at East Nelson Cemetery.

Chad A. Rowland, 32, of Cedar Springs passed away Thursday, August 29, 2019. Chad was born September 2, 1986 in Grand Rapids, MI. Chad will be remembered for his love for his family and his dogs. He enjoyed working and helping his Dad at the store. He loved watching movies and making daily phone calls to check on family. Chad had a passion for volunteer work serving meals on wheels and helping out at the church. Surviving are his parents, Jim Rowland and Jodi DeRuiter; Amy Rowland; brother, Andrew Rowland; grandparents, Maureen (Tom) McConnell; Bob Dunn; many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rex and Barbara Rowland; an aunt, Marcia Rowland. The family greeted friends Friday, August 30 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service was held Saturday, August 31. Pastor Tim Dieffenbach officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Barbara J. Skelonc of Cedar Springs, Michigan, age 91, passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2019. She was born to Stephen and Alice (McKrill) Burns on November 21, 1927, in Grand Rapids, MI. Barbara is survived by 7 loving children, Richard (Mary) Skelonc, Steven (Marie) Skelonc, Alice Wesche, Gerald (Janet) Skelonc, Donald (Cindy) Skelonc, Karen (Dennis) Clelland, and Carl (Mary) Skelonc; 20 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren; brother, Dan (Nancy) Burns; sister, Janet (Paul) Harris; brother-in-law, Phil Hallock; and sister-in-law, Jodie Burns. Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 40 years, Martin A. Skelonc; brothers, Stephen Burns, Frank Burns and Bob Burns; sisters, Bertha Kent, Bernice Schneider, Ruth Middleton, and Alice “Kay” Hallock; and son-in-law, Mick Wesche. There will be a time of visitation from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2019, at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341. A Praying of the Rosary will take place at 7:00 p.m. following visitation. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, August 26, 2019, at Mary Queen of Apostles Parish, 1 W. Maple Street, Sand Lake, Michigan 49343. Fr. Lam Le and Fr. Peter Vu will be presiding. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy may make a memorial contribution to CdLS Foundation, 302 West Main Street, #100 Avon, Connecticut, 06001 or Mary Queen of Apostles Youth Group, 1 W. Maple Street, Sand Lake, Michigan 49343.

Arrangements by Pederson 

Funeral Home, Rockford

February 23, 1954 – August 20, 2019

Timothy J. Ford, aged 65, of Sand Lake, passed away, Tuesday, August 20, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Velma; brother, Mike; sister, Barb and in laws, Bill and Ann Schmidt. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Marsha; son, Andy (Sarah) Ford; daughter, Andrea (Jason) Schaefer; 9 grandchildren, Maddi, Bree, Jackson, Grace, Olivia, Mya, Nick, Rylan, Lydia; 3 sisters, Pat Minnema, Mary (Woody) Widmayer, Lori Ford; 2 brothers, Robert (Vicki) Sandoval, Bob (Mary) Ford; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Tim was a dedicated employee of Knape and Vogt, working there from 1979 to the present. He loved to golf, participating in several area leagues and was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to coach youth sports and influenced many young minds. But most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren.