Richard C. Mockerman, age 64, of Morley passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 surrounded by his wife and many family and friends. Rick is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Bella Mockerman, Bridgett (Jimmy) Holmes, Rob Mockerman, Rick (Amy) Mockerman, Amanda Hunt; stepchildren, Melissa Stout (Pat Keating), Alex Phipps; mother, Bernadine Poling; siblings, Teckla (Mike) Lane, Wahneta (Chuck) Cornell, Sandy Finney, Lisa Russell, Fred Mockerman; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law. Rick was a great man and was loved by so many, he enjoyed laughing, being a mechanic and fixing most anything. He loved his family, most of all his wife and children. The family will greet friends Saturday, May 18 from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at 2:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 248 N. Cass St., Morley. Pastor Steve Finn officiating. A luncheon will be held at the Deerfield Hall, 369 Jefferson, Morley following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.
Denise L. Fisk, age 59, of Trufant, died Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at her home. Denise was born August 24, 1959 in Grand Rapids, MI the daughter of Ross and Laura “Kathy” (Hamilton) Fisk. She has been paramedic for Montcalm County EMS and a paramedic instructor. She enjoyed sports, her dogs and rock collecting. She loved the outdoors, wildlife and watching the deer and birds. Surviving are her parents; Ross and Kathy Fisk; sisters, Shellie Chilcote, Jill (Dan) Singleton; brothers, Brent (Kate) Fisk, Jack (Kacie) Fisk; special friend, Terri Duzenbury; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Nadine and brother-in-law, Timothy Chilcote. The family will greet friends Friday, May 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Saturday, May 18 at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Rick Malone officiating. Private interment in Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice or Huggard Bible Church.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs
Ralph Dietrich, of Cedar Springs Michigan, born on September 4, 1953 in Mercy Hospital Manistee, Michigan, to Sally (Jim) Wiley and the late Paul Dietrich, passed away peacefully at the age of 65 on April 24, 2019 at Spectrum Grand Rapids, Michigan, after a long battle with Parkinson’s. Ralph served in the Air Force and he also worked at K&M Dodge as a mechanic. Ralph was the beloved husband of Denise. He was preceded in death by his son Matthew. Ralph is survived by his son, Paul (Trisha); daughter, Heather Kaver; stepson, Michael; stepdaughters, Sara and Christina; brothers, David (Gretchen), Tom (Kelly), Daniel (Sharon); sisters, Paula (Schultheis) and Karen Rice; 8 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. We will always carry your memories in our heart. Friends and family members attended a memorial service on Monday, April 29th at 1 p.m. at Resurrection Church, 3233 10 Mile Rd., Rockford, Michigan.
Kurt A. Probst age 57 of Newaygo, died Monday, May 6, 2019 at his home. Kurt was born February 20, 1962 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Arthur and Carolyn (Brooks) Probst. Kurt was a friend to everyone, hard working, very loyal, giving and honest. Surviving are his wife, Helen; step son, Thomas VanderHyde; step grandchildren, Tianna, Franklin, and Talia VanderHyde; parents, Arthur and Carolyn Probst; brother, Alan (Mercedes) Probst; niece and nephew, Mikayla and Austin; in-laws, Sharon Smith, Ellen Stoner, Leonard (Kay) Stoner. The family will greet friends Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Saturday 11:00 am. Interment Idlewild Cemetery, Kent City. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs
Nancy Carol Kiste, age 77, of Cedar Springs went to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, May 6, 2019. Nancy was born on March 1, 1942 in St. Joseph, MI to Jake and Velma Lawton. Nancy is survived by her five children, Tim (Penny) Mongar, Tina (Dennis) Merryman, James Lawton, April Canfield, Amainda Graham; 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 2 sons, Mark and Jerry Mongar. A celebration of life will be held at the Algoma Estates Clubhouse on Sunday, May 12th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., 4456 – 13 Mile Rd., NE Rockford MI 49341.
Daniel Elve of Sand Lake, Michigan, age 81, went to his eternal home on May 3, 2019. He was born on December 17, 1937, to Nicholas and Grace Elve. Daniel was preceded in death by both parents; sister, Beth Lindhout; and brothers, Kenneth (Marie), Phillip (Lois), and David (Kim). He will be missed by nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and special nephew Tom (Karen) Elve. The family would like to thank the staff at Laurels of Hudsonville and Faith Hospice for their care and compassion. The funeral service for Daniel was celebrated on Monday, May 6, 2019, at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street, Rockford, MI 49341. Pastor James Durr officiated. Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy may make a memorial contribution to Samaritan’s Purse Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.
LaVern Edward Blocher, age 99 minus 10 days, went to be with his Lord and Savior May 8, 2019 at 5:00 am in Gowen, MI. He was born May 18, 1920 in Kensal, North Dakota. Vern was a farmer when he married Doris Depew of Alto, MI in 1943. After 10 years he became a Driver Salesman for Herrud Meat Company. He loved to garden both flowers and vegetables. He raised his family in Grandville, MI. where he was very active in Grace Bible Church. Retired to White Cloud then Cedar Springs attended Pierson Bible Church. Preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Doris Irene Depew Blocher, twin daughters Lois and Lucille Blocher, grandson Jordon Gitchel, 5 brothers, and one sister, second wife Georgianna Mattson of 5 years. Survived by his children Katherine (John) Plume of Coral, MI., Elizabeth Gitchel of Howard City, MI., LaVern C. (Shelley) Blocher of Pentwater, MI; 13 grandchildren, 48 great-grand children, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by his sister, Betty Craig of Clarksville, MI.; and 2 sister-in-laws, Rhetha Blocher of Marietta, Georgia, and Donna Blocher of Lowell, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews. Service: Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Heckman Funeral Home 225 E. Edgerton St., Howard City, MI. with Pastor Cris Hammer officiating. Interment will be at Reynolds Township Cemetery, Howard City, MI. Visitations: Saturday prior to funeral 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Heckman Funeral Home. Memorials can be given to Gideon’s International (Bibles), or Pierson Bible Church, Pierson, MI.
Martha I. Parker, age 98, of Sand Lake, died Friday, May 3, 2019 at her home. Mrs. Parker was born March 24, 1921 in Courtland Township, MI the daughter of Albert and Grace (Stewart) Becker. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and painting. In years past she picked a half acre raspberry patch and sold eggs in town. She was an avid Detroit Tiger baseball fan, and loved watching and listening to their games. She loved going to the Howard City Senior Center on Fridays to listen to the music and have lunch. Surviving are her children, Gerald Parker, Lucinda (Max) Cole, Joyce Cavner, Reta McKee; 12 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 34 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell in 2007; daughter-in-law, Beverly Parker; sons-in-law, Roger Cavner and Charles McKee; grandson, Kevin Cole; great-grandson, Ryan Doyle; nine brothers and sisters. The family greeted friends Tuesday, May 7 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service was held Wednesday. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard City Action Center.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs
Harold “Buck” Middleton passed away peacefully on May 4th, 2019 at the age of 88. Buck enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling and dancing. He was a long-time member of the American Legion post #287 and proudly served in the Korean War. You could find him at the Cedar Springs Big Boy every morning enjoying his waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. Harold was the proud father of Steve Middleton, Jerry (Laurie) Middleton, Mary Jo (Bill) Weidenfeller and Karen (Kevin) Grattan. He was a wonderful grandfather to nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and was also a great brother to Clare (Tudy) Middleton and Keith (Lois) Middleton. He is proceeded in death by his beloved first wife Mary Jane, his second wife June and his son Ron. A memorial visitation will take place from 12 noon to 2 p.m. followed by a time of sharing of memories of Buck at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at the Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N Monroe Street in Rockford. A graveside service with Military Honors will then take place at 3:30 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Cedar Springs. In lieu of flowers the family requests you make a donation to a charity of your choice or if you prefer, have a waffle or a beer in memory of Buck.
