Raymond Nels Petersen, 92 passed away Saturday, February 27, 2010. Mr. Petersen was born June 7, 1917 in Trufant, MI the son of Nels and Erma (Beals) Petersen. He had a passion for farming and enjoyed fishing. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Surviving are his wife of 71 years, Eloise M. (Russell) Petersen; daughter, Irene Petersen; son-in-law, Richard Cheslek Jr.; grandsons, Eric (Heather) Cheslek, Joseph (Amy) Cheslek, Michael Cheslek; three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Gene; daughter-in-law, Ann (Senne) and granddaughter, Wendy Jo. At his request, cremation has taken place and no funeral service will be held. The family received friends Wednesday, March 3 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com with a closing prayer at 4:00 pm. Private interment will take place at Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the East Nelson United Methodist Church. Ray requests that you remember him by doing something you truly enjoy in celebration of life.

Raymond Nels Petersen
Raymond Nels Petersen, 92 passed away Saturday, February 27, 2010. Mr. Petersen was born June 7, 1917 in Trufant, MI the son of Nels and Erma (Beals) Petersen. He had a passion for farming and enjoyed fishing. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Surviving are his wife of 71 years, Eloise M. (Russell) Petersen; daughter, Irene Petersen; son-in-law, Richard Cheslek Jr.; grandsons, Eric (Heather) Cheslek, Joseph (Amy) Cheslek, Michael Cheslek; three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Gene; daughter-in-law, Ann (Senne) and granddaughter, Wendy Jo. At his request, cremation has taken place and no funeral service will be held. The family received friends Wednesday, March 3 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com with a closing prayer at 4:00 pm. Private interment will take place at Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the East Nelson United Methodist Church. Ray requests that you remember him by doing something you truly enjoy in celebration of life.Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com

Robert Walter Stay Sr., 54, passed away Monday February 22, 2010 in Cedar Springs. He was born May 15, 1955 in Lansing and was the son of the late Robert V. and Nancy (Fisher) Stay. He worked as a Plant Manager for Meridian Automotive for 23years. Robert was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Judie (Jarvis),  four children Alicia Stay, Kristene (Terry) Gross, Robert (Sabra) Stay Jr., Ryan Stay, 11 grandchildren, brother Tim Stay Sr., two sister’s Mary Fehrenbach and Kathleen Buchin and several nieces and nephews.  Robert was a loving father, grandfather, brother and son and will be deeply missed.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a Father-in-law S. Lary Jarvis. Funeral Service will be held Friday February 26th at 2p.m at the Reyers North Valley Chapel 2815 Fuller Ave NE and 3 Mile Rd.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions can be made to The Miniature Pincher Rescue and The Kent County Humane Society with envelopes provided at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Reyers North Valley Chapel, Grand Rapids

Elizabeth Ann “Beth” Miller, 51 of Sand Lake, passed away Friday, February 19, 2010 at her home. Beth was born October 20, 1958 in Lakeview, MI. She was a 1976 graduate of Tri-County High School. She was employed as the Sand Lake Village Clerk for the last 16 years and had worked summers at Cedar Chase Golf Club for the past 8 years. She loved camping, biking, gardening and going on walks. Most of all she loved her family and leaves behind a host of family and friends. Surviving are her children, Sarah Chicky, Douglas (Liz) Miller, Mandy Miller & fiancé Balaji, Theodore (Amber) Miller, Shanda (Keith) Hoogerhyde, Alyssa Miller; 9 grandchildren; boy friend, Dale Fill; mother, Jane Sherburne; siblings, Howard, Martin, Brenda, Roland, Vanita, Katharine, John, Walter, and Randolph; many nieces and nephews. The family received friends Wednesday evening, Feb. 24, 2010 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com  A memorial service will be held at a later date in Sand Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-County Eagles, Sand Lake.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com

Rex J. Morris, 79 of Cedar Springs, died Monday, February 22, 2010 at Metron of Cedar Springs. Rex was born January 16, 1931 in Cedar Springs, MI the son of D.J. and Meryl (Hanna) Morris. He served in the U.S. Army and was one of the original Hell’s Angels paratroopers. He was a truck driver working for C.S. Tool & Die, VanKampen Trucking, and Reith & Riley. Following retirement he worked for the City of Cedar Springs. Rex was a member of the Glen Hill American Legion Post, Sons of American Legion, Tri-County Eagles, and the Lowell Moose. He was affectionately known as Grumpy Gramps.  Surviving are his wife, Betty; daughters, Tanya (Richard) Eadie of Cedar Springs, Rexanne (Kim) Montague of Howard City; stepchildren, Cynthia Morris of Grand Rapids, Terri (Mike) Cegelis of Kent City, Darryl Holbrook of Cedar Springs, Greg Walters of Texas, Howard Walters of Howard City; 16 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; sisters, Bonnie Rowland, Sally (John) Fortuna, Sandy (Morton) Reed; brother, Dick (Jo An) Morris; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, nephew, Ricky Fortuna; great grandson, Dustin Montague. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com where services will be held Friday 11:00 am. Pastor Mary Ivanov officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Special Olympics Area 11 or the Ronald McDonald House. The family extends a special thank you to the caregivers at Metron of Cedar Springs.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com

Mrs. Donna J. Empie, age 75, of Cedar Springs, passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2010. She was born in the Upper Peninsula and was the daughter of Thorald and Katherine Leonard and moved with her family so they could find work in Grand Rapids. When Donna was 13 years old, her mother passed away.  While growing up, she was the caregiver for her younger sister, Vicki. Donna graduated from Creston High School in 1952. She married Gordon Empie and worked at Lippert Pharmacy and later at Rite Aid as a bookkeeper. Donna was the “hub” that kept the family together. By ear, she could play the accordion and organ. She enjoyed dancing, especially the polka, bowling in leagues, playing bingo, and crocheting doilies. Donna is survived by her children, Don and Lucille Empie and Ray and Chom Empie of Cedar Springs, Sue Liscombe and her friend, Olie Johnson of Harvard, Sandy and Bob Myers of Orrstown, PA, Pete and Pam Empie of St. Johns, Ruth and James Mulvey of Waterford, WI; 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sisters, Vicki and Tim Chaney, Mrs. Leona Perry; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Empie on August 6, 1997, grandson, Alan Joseph Empie, and great grandchildren, Amanda Empie and Marcus Empie. The service for Mrs. Empie was Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Chad White officiating. Interment in Elmwood Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the   Patient Activity Fund at Metron of Cedar Springs or the needs of the family. Relatives and friends met with the family at the Pederson Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Pamela Sue Schilling 49 of Cedar Springs, died Saturday, February 13, 2010. Pam was born December 12, 1960 in Grand Rapids, MI the daughter of Fredrick and Dixie Lee (Queen) Matthews. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Surviving are her husband Daniel Schilling III whom she married on June 7, 1984; 5 children, Stephanie (Charles) Stanton, Daniel (Alicia) Schilling IV, Bruce Schilling, Nicholas Schilling, Heather Schilling; father, Fredrick Matthews; grandchildren, Lexie Schilling, Daniel Schilling V; sister, Sherry Matthews; 2 brothers, Fredrick Matthews Jr., Jeffrey Matthews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dixie Matthews and a brother, Timothy Matthews. The family received friends Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com where services were held Wednesday 11:00 am. Pastor Steve Finn officiating. Interment Fairplains Cemetery, Grand Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, http://www.abta.org/www.abta.org
Arrangements by the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com

Glenn A. Burns 69 of Kent City, passed away Saturday, February 13, 2010 at Metro Health Hospital. Mr. Burns was born March 13, 1940 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Tyse and Sadie (Koning) Burns. He was a member of the Sparta Seventh Day Adventist Church and had retired from McDonald Industrial Products. Surviving are his wife, Helen “Carol” Burns; children, Mary (Dan) Bleeker, William Burns, Karen (Willard) Slendebroek, Joseph (Joy) Burns, Shawn Burns, Terry Marshall, Erma (James) Mansfield; 17 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; sister, Marion (Larry) Remington; brother, David (Connie) Burns. He was preceded in death by his parents, children, Michael Marshall and Lisa Burns; grandson, William Loyd Slendebroek; brother, Terry Burns. The family received friends Wednesday from 1:00 pm until time of funeral service at 2:00 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com Pastor Frank Logo officiating. Interment Sand Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to help with expenses.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com

Charmaine L. Kimbrell 78 of  Cedar Springs, died Monday, February 15, 2010 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus. Mrs. Kimbrell was born March 12, 1931 in Grand Rapids, MI the daughter of Joseph and Louise (Mursch) Zamaites. Surviving are her children, Barbara (James) Mosher, Carol (Craig) Marsh, David Smith & Eleanor LaButt, Joe (Rose) Eager, William Callaway & Valierie Tyler; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; 2 great-great-granddaughters; brother, Harold (Jean) Zamaites; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Otis in 2003; brothers, Walter, Lyle and Clifford Zamaites; sister, Barbara Zamaites. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com and Thursday from 12 Noon until time of service at 1:00 pm. Pastor Jim Howard officiating. Interment Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta.
Arrangements by the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com

Richard H. Wallington, Jr. 50 of Cedar Springs, died Thursday, February 11, 2010. Rick was born June 9, 1959 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Richard and Martha (Howe) Wallington, Sr. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1978 – 87. Surviving are his wife, Sandra; father, Richard Wallington, Sr.; 2 sisters, Christine (Jim) Horter, Cindy (Steve) Bidstrup; 2 brothers, James (Barb) Wallington, Roger (Kim) Wallington; sister-in-law, Carol (Mike) Miller; 16 nieces and nephews; 16 great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Wallington. The family received friends Sunday from 4-7 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com where services were held Monday 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements by the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com

Raymond L. Gillespie 88 of Cedar Springs passed away Thursday, February 4, 2010 at his home after a valiant fight with cancer. Ray was born June 21, 1921 in Crystal Township, MI the son of Sherman and Ethel (Pritchard) Gillespie. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy and retired from Sparta Foundry in 1977. He enjoyed camping, hunting and snowmobiling. He was a member of the Glen Hill American Legion Post #287. Surviving are his wife, Thelma whom he married on June 14, 1941; children, Raymond Jr. & Delores Gillespie, Lanny Gillespie, Linda Colleen & Dale Thurston, Edwin & Nancy Gillespie, Debra Merlington & Bruce Duncan, Diane & Edward Sipka, Dale Merlington; 24 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Harry Wickham; sister-in-law, Edith Tisdel; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 children, Darlene St. John and Leonard Gillespie; 2 grandchildren, Lisa Gillespie and Paul Thurston; 1 great granddaughter, Stephanie Huntoon; 2 sisters, Margaret Wickham and LaVonna Heffner; 1 brother, Melvin Gillespie. The family received friends Saturday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com where services were held Sunday 1:30 pm. Pastor Dick Riley officiated. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com