Herold M. Stark 89, of Cedar Springs, peacefully left us to be with Jesus from his home on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Petersen and Bethel Sumner and two brothers, Jerold and Merold Stark. He is survived by his loving bride, Doris (Moyes) of 68 years; two children, Margery (Stark) and Wade Wilson, Paul and Judy Stark; eight grandchildren, Trent and Maria Wilson, Travis and Jamie Wilson, Dr. Scott and Taryn (Wilson) Watterson, Dr. Benjamin and Cara (Stark) Wickstra; and 9 great grandchildren, Allyson and Alaina Wilson, Nikkolas and Kristian Wilson, Sawyer, Cecily, Wittaker, and Rourke Watterson, and Owen Wickstra. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Myrtle Eldred and several nieces and nephews. He was born April 10, 1921 in Cedar Springs to Jesse and Alta (Phelps) Stark. He attended Cedar Springs Public Schools grades K-12. His class of 1939 was the first to attend all K-12 years in the “new” Hilltop School. He was Valedictorian of the 1939 class and he was all conference in basketball. Herold proudly served his country in World War II in North Africa, Italy and France from 1942-1945. He was actively involved in the community he loved. Herold worked for the Cedar Springs Post Office for 36 years as clerk, Postmaster, and rural carrier. He served on the Cedar Springs School Board for 15 years, he was a charter member of the Lions Club, a member of Rotary, and served on several community committees. Herold taught his children how to live a solid Christian life. He lived his love for Jesus at home, in the army, and in his workplace. The family received friends Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com. The funeral service was held Monday 11:00 a.m. at The Springs Church, Pastor Barry Briggs officiating; interment with military honors at Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. The family wishes to thank Great Lakes Hospice, friends and neighbors, and the Springs Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Springs Building Fund.

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

Wannetta J. Fisk, 84 of Sand Lake was called home by God on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Mrs. Fisk was born June 3, 1926 in Kent County, MI the daughter of Leonard and Lilah (Smith) Gordon. She was a member of Huggard Bible Church. She was married on June 26, 1943 to Cecil “Pete” Fisk and he preceded her in death in 2007. Surviving are her children, Randy (Char) Fisk of Gowen, Tom (Kathy Persons) Fisk of Gowen, Sheryl Fleser of Cedar Springs, Greg Fisk of Sand Lake, Steve (Renee) Fisk of Trufant; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; sister, Freda (Jack) Dyer of Arizona; in-laws, Kenneth French, Lyle (Rhea) Fisk, Ross (Kathy) Fisk, Rose Bergman, Dora (Fred) Polega, Ann Borema, Doug (Diane) Fisk; several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded by a son-in-law, Roger Fleser. The family will received friends Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com where services were held Monday 11:00 am. Pastor Jonathan Williams officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com

Russell E. Barnes age 85 of Newaygo died Saturday July 3, 2010 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus Grand Rapids MI. He was born in Grand Rapids on February 8, 1925 the son of Edmund L.  and Theresa Bosma Barnes. He served in the US Navy Seebees during WW II and was employed for Consumers Power Co for 35 years and was also an electrical contractor with Harcro Electric and he taught at Jordan College. He is survived by his children Harold Barnes, Mary Loeks, Nora Hensley and Judy Elenbaas and his sister Charlene Howland.Memorial services will be announced.
Arrangements by Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville.

Ernest Archer Sr., age 91, of Howard City passed away July 13 at his residence. He was born December 14, 1918. He is survived by his children, step children Patricia (Floyd) Waite of Cedar Springs, Marilyn Beemer of Sand Lake, Ernest Jr. (Gerry) Archer of Howard City; 19 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Walter Archer and a sister-in-law, Elaine Butler; and many nieces and nephews, with a special nephew and niece Lyle and Ann Mills. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 52 years, Mary Howe, in 1993 and his wife of 14 years, Mildred Jean in 2008; a daughter Judy Dian; three sisters, Josephine, Beatrice, and Lula; and two brothers, Edward and Erwin. Ernie was born in Gratiot County and grew up around Laingsburg and moved to Howard City in 1944, on his farm at 10721 Beech. He worked at Motor Wheel in Lansing and retired from Gibsons in 1982. He continued farming after his retirement. Ernie enjoyed camping, traveling, farming, and was the family fix it man. Funeral services will take place on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Coral with Pastor Ken Harger officiating with burial in the North Ensley Cemetery. Friends may call at the Heckman Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and prior to services on Friday at the Church.
Arrangements by Heckman Funeral Home, Howard City, www.heckmanfuneralhomeinc.com

Junior L. Avery, age 81, of Spencer Township, passed away Thursday morning, July 8, 2010 at his home under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Health Hospice. The son of George E. and Anna G. (Wolbers) Avery, he was born on March 25, 1929 in Spencer Township. A veteran of World War II, Junior proudly served with the U.S. Navy and was employed at R.J. Tower Automotive for 25 years. On August 15, 1981, in Kent City, he married the former Myrna McAllister-Salyer. He enjoyed camping, gardening, and hunting, but spending time with his family was his greatest delight. Junior always made family and friends the center of his attention and had a friendly smile for everyone he met. For nearly 25 years he was a member of the Family Life Center Church of God in Belmont, where he was an ordained minister serving God and the church in various capacities.  He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Anna Avery; a son, Lenny Avery Sr.; a grandson, Derick Hershberger; a great-grandson, Damien Joles; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Harry & Betty Avery, Jess Avery, and John Avery; and a sister and a brother-in-law, Dorothy and Jim Siegel. Surviving are his wife of almost 29 years, Myrna Avery; his children, Liz Avery and Darleen Pease of Maine, Melody and Amy Avery of Sidney, Kathy Farrell of Lake Stanton, Robin and Terry Kelsey of Cedar Springs, Debbie and Tim Thatcher of Belding, Carla and Bill Sharky of Canadian Lakes, Rose and Bob Romine of Lakeview, Rocky and Linda Salyer of Cedar Springs, Dawn and Nate Cooper of Cedar Springs; two sisters-in-law, Jo Avery of Cedar Springs, and Eleonor Avery-Barager of Rockford; mother-in-law, Cora Lay of Arizona, his pastor, Rev. William and Sister Sharyn Overton and their family; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of “adopted” grandchildren and great-grandchildren and special friends.

Orvin“Chub”  Reed, 79 of Ensley Township, Sand Lake, died Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Chub was born June 16, 1931 in Cedar Springs, MI the son of Clarence and Beatrice (Robinson) Reed. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during the Korean War and had worked at Michigan Wheel for 42 years retiring in 1991. He was a member of the American Legion Boat & Canoe Club in North Park. The loves of his life were his wife, kids and grandkids. Surviving are his wife Donna Shick, whom he married on May 29, 1953; children, Randy (Laura) Reed, Ken (Judy) Reed, Rick (Nancy) Reed; 8 grandchildren and their spouses; 8 great grandchildren; brothers, Clarence (Virginia) Reed, Don (Della) Reed; many nieces and nephews; in-laws, Jean Shick, Arlene Wesche, Bernice VerStrate, Bev (Phil) Wesche, Fred (Carol) Shick, Verna (Dick) Wesche. He was preceded in death by 4 sisters, Doris, Eloise, Laura, and Arlene. A special thanks to D. Jeffrey Mohr M.D., his nurse, Laura and their staff, and to Heartland Hospice of Fremont. The family received 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 John Dawson officiating.  Interment Sand Lake Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs,
www.blisswitterspike.com

Leland R. Bliss, 96 of Pierson, died Monday, July 5, 2010 at Spectrum Health – United Memorial Campus, Greenville. Leland was born March 29, 1914 in Luther, MI the son of Arthur and Hazel (Hall) Bliss. He retired from American Seating and loved fishing, hunting, traveling, and the horse races. Most of all, he loved his wife and children. Leland is survived by his wife, Virginia (Fletcher) whom he married on September 24, 1937. Virginia and Leland loved each other very much and were still in love and lived for each other after 72 years of marriage. Also surviving are his children, Janet Glidden of Cutlerville, Lanette Stevens of Edmore, Muriel Kay Hoover of Grand Rapids, Irving (Elizabeth) Bliss of Sand Lake, Hazel (David) Hawley of Cedar Springs, Ila (Ron) Fisk of Sand Lake, Leland (Debra) Bliss of Cedar Springs, Sherrie (Jeff) Peters of Cedar Springs; 26 grandchildren; 57 great grandchildren; 15 great great grandchildren; brother, Arthur (Delores) Bliss of Cedar Springs; sister, Althea (Gordon) Welch of Cedar Springs; many nieces and nephews. The family received friends Wednesday from 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com where services were held Thursday 11:00 am. Pastor Rick Miller officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs,
www.blisswitterspike.com

Robert Carl Fournier 53 of Cedar Springs, went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Friday, July 2, 2010 after a valiant fight against cancer. Rob was born June 18, 1957 in Detroit, MI the son of Robert and Catherine (Dowd) Fournier. He had worked for Pontiac Truck & Bus and in 1983 transferred to Fisher Body on Alpine Avenue in Grand Rapids. He then transferred to the 36th St. Stamping Plant from which he retired.  He loved his children greatly and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a member of the Pacemakers Softball League. Surviving are his wife, Veronica (Merlington); children, Jason Fournier, Joshua Fournier, Jessica (Miguel) Ramirez,  Jacob Fournier, Leah Fournier; stepchildren, Allison Monroe, Joshua Monroe; former wife, Jacquelyn Fournier; 3 grandchildren, Aaron, Julian, Miah; mother, Catherine Fournier; brothers, James Fournier, Daniel Fournier; sister, Patty Strach; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Fournier. The family received friends Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com where services were held Tuesday 11:00 am. Mr. Ross Merlington officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to an Educational Fund for Leah Fournier and Allison Monroe.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs,
www.blisswitterspike.com