Cornelius (Neal) Feikema of Evart passed away Saturday April 12, 2014 at Autumnwood of McBain. He was 88. Mr. Feikema was born January 11, 1926 in Okaton, South Dakota  to Frank and Ann (DeGraaf) Feikema. He was a 1946 graduate of Evart High School. Neal married Winona Kushmaul in 1946 at Sears, Michigan. He was nearly a lifelong Evart area resident. Neal and Winona’s music was entertainment at many dances around Mid-Michigan. Neal retired from Liberty Dairy after working there for many years and retired from farming in 2004. He was active with the Michigan State Agriculture program and was a premier Angus breeder. Mr. Feikema was very involved in 4-H, the Osceola County Fair, and starting livestock shows and auctions throughout the state, judging at many of them. He attended the Evart and North Evart United Methodist Churches. Mr. Feikema is survived by his wife of 67 years, Winona of Evart, a daughter, Sharon Lamie of Middleville, son , Neal Duane Feikema of Evart, five grandchildren, six great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, eight sisters; Hermina Stoker of Lansing, Corena Cass of Evart, Josphina Tift of Florida, Francis Brackett of Big Rapids, Annette (Bruce) Giddings of Lansing, Chris Fabijancic of Lansing, Harlene Matlia of Lansing, Kathy Ohler of Lansing, four brothers; Don “Spike” Feikema of Clarksville, Arkansas, Fred (Ferne) Feikema of Evart, John (Jeanie) Feikema of Lansing, Frank (Ann) Feikema of Tucson, Arizona, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services for Cornelius Feikema are Wednesday April 16th at the Corey Funeral Home in Evart with Pastor Tim Ford officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday April 15th 2pm to 4pm & 6pm to 8pm at the funeral home. Internment will be in the Osceola Township Cemetery.

Arrangements by Corey Funeral Home in Evart

Ronny Merlington

 Ronny R. Merlington, 76 of Cedar Springs, died Sunday, April 13, 2014 at Spectrum Health-United Memorial Hospital. Ronny was born September 1, 1937 in Pierson, MI the son of Robert and Ruth (Madison) Merlington. He graduated from Sand Lake High School in 1955 and received a Bachelor degree from Michigan State University. He taught school in Sand Lake for 2 years and then for the next 36 years for Cedar Springs Public Schools. He was a coach for 20 years for football, basketball and baseball. In addition to his dedication as an educator, he had a passion for public service. He served as a Cedar Springs Council Member, Mayor Pro Tem, and Mayor. He was a member and chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals for 25 years. He was a member of Squadron 287 of the Sons of The American Legion and an officer and Detachment Commander of the entire state of Michigan and National Executive Committee Man. In retirement, he was a licensed trainer and enjoyed his horses and harness racing with his wife, Shirley. He was an avid hunter for his entire life and had a perfect record on successful deer hunts. Surviving are his wife, Shirley Ann (Misner); children, Dominic (Christine) Merlington, Robert (Amy) Merlington; grandchildren, Rebekah Merlington, Robert Burmeister, Kristofer Merlington, Ethan Robinson, Elizabeth Robinson; brother, Russel (Patricia) Merlington; sister, Rosalynn Wall; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Rex Merlington and sister, Rosanne Morris. The family received friends Tuesday, April 15 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where services were held on Wednesday, April 16. Pastor Mary Ivanov officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cedar Springs Museum, Cedar Springs Public Library, or the Cedar Springs Community Food Pantry.

John E. Fortuna, II age 73 of Belmont, died Friday, April 4, 2014 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. John was born January 20, 1941 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of John and Nina (Griffin) Fortuna. He worked in Tool & Die and served an apprenticeship at Lear Siegler and then worked at Knape & Vogt, Auto Die and retired from General Motors on 36th St. in 2006 after 25 years. Surviving are his wife, Sally (Morris); children, John E. III and Jeannie, Jerry, Cindy (Fortuna) and Doug Ellinger; grandchildren, Lindsey and Griffin Fortuna, Riley, Ashton, and Triston Cherry; 1 step granddaughter, Megan Ellinger; mother, Nina Fortuna; sister, Joan and Bill Goss. He was preceded in death by his son Rick in 1991 and his father in 1997. The family received friends Tuesday, April 8 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where services were held Wednesday, April 9. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice and Pallative Care, 4500 Breton SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.

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

Arlene Rieckman (nee Wilson), age 82, of Cedar Springs, died Sunday, April 6, 2014. She was preceded in death by her children Patricia Rieckman and James M. Rieckman and a sister Patricia Petersen. Surviving are her daughters, Debbie Riddell of Middleburg, Florida; Mary Curler (Jerry) of Newaygo; six grandchildren, Michelle (Edward) Ross of Rockford, Kenneth (Kevin) Curler-Panter of Grand Rapids, Lindsey (Christopher) Robbins of Belding, Justin (Stacey) Riddell of Middleburg, Florida; Melissa Adams of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Lauren (Jason) Gay of Middleburg, Florida; her great grandchildren, Kayla, Christian, Maggie, Jamar, Josiah, Sariah, Rylee, Dominic, Madison, Jaylen, Kyle, Courtney; six brothers, Owen (Shirley), Fran (Nancy), Richard (Barbara), Larry (Paula), Tom (Claira) and Mike and two sisters, Dixie (Jerry) Kooienga and Barb (Barry) Philipp; many nieces and nephews and her beloved dog Jazmin. Friends may meet the family from noon until time of the service at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Per her wishes cremation has taken place. Memorials may be given to one’s charity of choice.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike, Cedar Springs

Carroll Shelby Graves passed away at his home in Cedar Springs, on Wednesday, April 2, 2014.  Carroll was born on December 12, 1935, in Rockford, MI the son of Shelby Leigh and Floy Althea (Hammer) Graves.  He will be sadly missed by his children:  Debra Slates (Stanley) of New Era; Deanna Saut (Randy) of Claysville, PA; Pamela Benedict (Randall) of Cedar Springs; Douglas Graves (Ellen) of Grand Rapids; Patricia Miller (Roger) of Sparta; Denise Collins (Paul) of Sand Lake; Melissa Hekkema (Mike) of Norton Shores; and Denise Graves of Sand Lake.  He will also be sadly missed by his 25 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, his sister Shirley Grover, and his long-time companion, Patricia Thome.  Carroll was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Suzanne (Baribeau); and his sons Timothy Graves and Mark Graves. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. Carroll was a tool and die maker, and retired in 2000.  He spent many years serving his church, Mary Queen of Apostles in Sand Lake, and his community.  As a young man he was active with the Rockford Jaycees and was the Rockford Scout Master.  He was involved with the Rogue River Art Association.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 32 years, attaining the level of 4^th Degree, serving for many terms as the Grand Knight, and also as the District Deputy.  Carroll very much enjoyed boating, fishing, camping, traveling, oil painting, and spending time with his large family. The family received friends Friday, April 4 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday at Mary Queen of Apostles, Sand Lake. Rev. Fr. Lam Le celebrant. Interment Rockford Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Marines. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Huntington’s Disease Society of Western Michigan.

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

Arlene L. Remmelts, 69 of Cedar Springs, died Sunday, March 30, 2014 at her home. Arlene was born July 11, 1944 in Romulus, MI the daughter of George and Bernice (Middleton) Loughin. She had worked for VanderHyde Ford retiring in 2006. Surviving are her children, Rod Remmelts, Roger (Virginia) Remmelts; grandchildren, Blake and Avery; sisters, Minnia Hanes, Beverly Reusser; sisters-in-law, Beverly Emmorey, Mary Gallup, and Ellie Barlow. The family would like a special thanks to her caregivers, Caroline Bartlette and Carol Rowe. Visitation will be Wednesday 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where services will be held Thursday 11:00 am. Pastor Darwyn Hassert officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses.

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

Patricia Ann Moore, age 65, of Sand Lake passed away on March 7, 2014. She was born to George and Ann Wood (Glaze) on August 28, 1948 in Maysville, KY. Pat was a lifelong nurse and worked as an R.N. at Spectrum United Memorial Hospital in Greenville, MI, where she worked in Intensive Care and as a hospital Nursing Supervisor. Earlier in her career, she worked Intensive Care in Sandusky, Ohio and Labor and Delivery in St. Petersburg, Florida. Nursing was Pat’s passion and she loved her work, her co-workers, and her patients. Pat and her husband of 46 years, Cliff Moore, spent one year sailing down the Inter-coastal Waterway on their 32 ft. sailboat. Pat spent much of her life on the water, and she loved the sun and the outdoors. Her charisma and her love of life touched the lives of thousands of others, both in her nursing career and with her family and friends. Pat leaves behind her husband, Clifton Moore; son, Dale Moore; daughter-in-law, Julia (Tyson) Moore; granddaughter, Jordan Moore; grandson, Gavin Moore; brother, Nicholas Wood; sister-in-law, Judy Wood; sister-in-law, Wina Wood; brother-in-law, Joel Moore; and her very special nieces, nephews, and great- nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by her brother, Donald Wood. There will be a Celebration of Pat’s Life at The American Legion, Glen Hill Post 287, 91 First Street, Cedar Springs, MI on Saturday, March 22, 2014 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Arrangements by Heckman Funeral Home, Howard City, www.heckmanfuneralhomeinc.com

Vicki Sue Johnson-Becker, 54 of Howard City, died Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at Mercy Health St. Mary’s. Vicki was born May 28, 1959 in Detroit, MI the daughter of Gerald and Glenda (Headrick) Collis. She was a very caring person, an awesome mom and grandma and was known to her grandkids as “Hammy”. She had worked for Ferris State University for over 20 years and had recently been a home health aide. Surviving are her children, Audrea (Tom) DeLong, Jacob (Melissa) Johnson, Jessica (Matthew) Poling; 3 grandchildren, Leigha, Elijah, Esch; father, Gerald (Lois) Collis, sisters, Kathy (Thomas) Hill, Rebecca Collis; nephews and niece, Ryan and Randy Nazionale, Renee Radin, Justin Collis. She was preceded in death by her brother, Gregory and mother, Glenda.The service will be held Saturday, March 8 at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church. Pastor Mary Ivanov officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice. Arrangements by to Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

Beatrice May Marvin, age 86 of Sand Lake, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, February 20, 2014. She is survived by her husband Lewis Marvin; daughters Sandra (Jack) Fisk and Sharon Marvin; grandson Duwain Fisk; granddaughter Alexandria Marvin; and great-granddaughter Nadeya. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m. Church of the Full Gospel, 180 E Lake St., Sand Lake MI 49343. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Arrangements by Roth-Gerst Funeral Home, Lowell www.gerstfuneralhomes.com

Clyde J. Menefee, 60, of Cedar Springs, died Sunday, March 2, 2014 at his home. Clyde was born October 6, 1953 in Grand Rapids, Mich., the son of Kenneth and Helen (Brown) Menefee. He worked for Steelcase for 25 years. He was an avid Tigers fan and enjoyed sports, reading, camping, fishing, gardening, mowing lawn, collecting coins and attending PowWows. Surviving are his wife, Luanne (Beach), whom he married on July 15, 1972; children, Chistina, Daniel and Dennis Menefee; grandchildren, Jeremy and Ryan Menefee, Abigail and Emilee Vernon, Mikala, Daniel Jr. and Schorian Menefee; great grandchildren, Tyanna, Layla, and Aiden; brothers, Kenneth Jr., Ernest, Francis, Jeff, Ronald, Robin and Richard Menefee. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, where  services will be held Thursday 11:00 am. Pastor Gary Giddings officiating. Interment East Nelson Cemetery.

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