Anthony “Tony” Rydz 68 of Pierson, died Friday, February 8, 2013 at his home. Tony was born February 27, 1944 in Detroit, MI the son of Anthony and Marion (Kroll) Rydz. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during Vietnam. He enjoyed woodworking and hunting and loved his family. Surviving are his wife, Helga; children, Anthony “Tony” (Kelly) Rydz, Heidi (Tim) Adamczak; 6 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; sister, Rosemary (Ron) Snyder. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Karla Taylor; special friend, Doris Mader. The family received friends Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Service was held Tuesday 11:00 am at the Church of the Full Gospel, Sand Lake, Pastors Verta and Gary Giddings officiating. Interment Pierson Cemetery. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

Mark R. Patin, 58 of Howard City died Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at his home. Mark was born October 5, 1954 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Joseph and Ruth (Horter) Patin. He was an avid motorcycle rider and traveled to many states on bike trips. He had worked for Meijer for 12 years and the last 29 years for High Grade Materials Company in Sand Lake. Surviving are his brothers and sisters, Donald (Maureen) Patin, James (Sandy) Patin, Catherine Patin, Marie Patin, Patricia Patin, Gerri (Ralph) VanOcker, RoseAnn Patin; many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephew; close friends Al & Nancy, Phil & Deb and Craig & Diane. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family will receive friends Friday from 5-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, where a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm. Services will take place Saturday 11:00 at Mary Queen of Apostles Church, Sand Lake. Rev. Fr. Joseph W. Kenshol celebrant. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sand Lake. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters and Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Mr. William “Bill” Becker, age 88, of Rockford, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. He grew up on the family farm in Courtland Township, the son of Albert and Grace (nee Stewart) Becker. Bill left school at a very young age to help with the chores. During WWII he was drafted into the US Navy. He married Donna Potes, and she died in 1958. When Bill returned from the war, he helped his family to remodel and build barns and also worked part-time at Kent City Ford. He then went to work at Teledyne Continental as a machinist. In 1961 he married Rosie Thiebout Pierce, and she died in 2000. Bill served as a firefighter for Algoma Township. He enjoyed hunting deer and small game and played fast-pitch softball. For his whole life enjoyed following the Tigers. Love for his family was his first priority and he also liked tinkering in his workshop where he made special parts for people. He even made a mini hay baler and a blueberry picker. Bill was blessed with a mechanical mind. Bill is survived by his children, Michael and Vivian Becker, Diane Pierce, Joe Pierce; grandchildren, Pamela and Greg Bunton, Kimberly Fisher, Brian and Rachel Pierce, Jody Pierce, Beth Pierce, Ginger and Charles Nelson, and Ward and Tina Kortz; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; sisters and brother, Mrs. Martha Parker, Laura and Edward Smith, Kenneth Becker. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Iva Cramer, Wilma Peavy, and Arlene Zimmerman, and his brother, Carl Becker. The Service for Mr. Becker was held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home. Military honors will be under the auspices of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard with interment in Blythefield Memory Gardens. Relatives and friends met with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Freddie Hawley II, age 58, of Sand Lake, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 3, 2013. Freddie was a lifetime member of the NRA. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Valarie; parents, Fred & Betty Hawley; brother, Jamie. Freddie is survived by his wife, Gloria; sons, Freddie III & Kami, Nick & Abby; stepdaughter, Tracey & JC; grandchildren, Ethan, Emerson, Kia, JJ, Storm, Serenia, Grace, Ana, Andrew; great grandchildren, Arijana, Mekenze; sisters, Faith & Cork Hollister, Christina Velting, Dorothy & Rex Veltkamp, Betty Jane & Jeff Streeby; brother, Allen & Loretta Hawley; many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, February 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Friends may meet the family at the Funeral Home on Thursday, 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the service on Friday. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Metro Hospital Cancer Center, 5950 Metro Way, Grand Rapids, Michigan. www.hesselcheslek.com  Arrangements by Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home – Sparta

Jason Alan Welsh of Cedar Springs, following a brief but courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis, born February 10, 1977, at age 35 was promoted to glory and went to walk with Jesus. He is survived by his parents, June & Michael O’Connor, sister Melody & Randy Parker, sister Kathy Welsh, sister Sonya & Todd Breen, brother Jeff Welsh, brother Tim & Erika Welsh, sister Mandy & Stephen Richardson, sister Karen & Jeremy Harris, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and his faithful four-legged friend, Silver, his beloved German Shepherd. Even as a young boy and into adulthood, Jason was a hard worker. As a teenager he worked on a local farm for John Byma. There he learned how to till the soil, and milk the cows. He loved the smell of fresh-cut hay. After graduating from Kent City High School, he worked at several steel businesses. His last place of employment was at Steel Craft Tech in Belmont. Jason loved the country life and he dressed accordingly and listened to the old style country music. If you had a question about country music, Jason was your go-to guy. He also enjoyed gardening and was on avid reader of Western novels. Jason had a quiet nature, a wry sense of humor, and loved his family deeply. He will be sorely missed. Funeral Services will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church, 12786 Algoma Ave., Cedar Springs, on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Tom Logsdon officiating. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Maranatha Baptist Church.  www.hesselcheslek.com  Arrangements by Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home – Sparta

Mr. Michael D. Tibbe, age 61, of Cedar Springs, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 2, 2013. He was a 1971 graduate of Cedar Springs High School and served his country in the US Army during Vietnam. Mike was a member of Ensley Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee, Head Usher and helped with the AWANA program; and both he and Darla maintained the cleanliness at the church. Mike was a fisherman (especially ice fishing), and liked to tinker around the house. He and Darla enjoyed memorable times when camping with the family that he so loved. Mike is survived by his wife, the former Darla Bliss; children, Timothy Tibbe, Tina and Virgil Packard, and Tammy and Corey Empie; grandchildren, Virgil William and Aleshia Packard, Amanda Packard, Tyler Packard, Caid Empie, Carter Empie; great-granddaughter, Alora; mother, Mrs. Helen Tibbe; sisters and brother, Nancy and Rick Alberda, Randy and Sally Tibbe, and Gary and Teresa Tibbe; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Tibbe. The Service of Praise and Thanksgiving for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ for Mr. Tibbe was held on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Ensley Baptist Church 7077 E. 120th St., Sand Lake, with Pastor Timothy Decker officiating. Interment in Solon Township Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the needs of the family. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church two hours prior to the service. Arragements byPederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Audrey Mae White, age 90, of Cedars Springs, passed from this life on Saturday, February 2, 2013, into the arms of her Savior. Audrey was born in Michigan on September 1, 1922. Her birth parents placed her into the loving arms of her adopted parents, Charles and Blanche Brownell of Cedar Springs. She grew up in Algoma Township and attended the Burchtown School, K thru 8th grade. Audrey went on to attend Cedar Springs High School. On September 19, 1941, Audrey married her one and only love, Mr. Donald White. The couple has called a farm in Courtland Township their home for the past 70 years. All of Audrey’s loved ones considered her to be a genius in the kitchen. Potato salad, meat pie, red cake, and butterscotch dessert are just a few of the dishes that were her specialties. In years past Audrey labored to maintain a wonderful garden. For several years Audrey was employed in housekeeping at Metron of Cedar Springs, the same nursing home where she spent her last days. She will be remembered for her fiery spirit and an incredible sense of humor. Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Blanche (Elkins) Brownell; two brothers, Elwood and William Brownell; and her sister, Mrs. Angelia Speaker. She is survived by her husband of 71 years (36,143 days), Donald; her three children, Suzanne (Jennings) Johnson, Bonnie (Tom) Reynolds and Donald White, Jr. and special friend, Judy Sailor; her grandchildren, Scott (Michele) Johnson, Kelly Jean Brophy, Brian (Julie) Johnson, Mark (Veronica) Allen, Julie Anne Johnson, Jason Van’thof, Molly Goodman, Jordan White, Rebecca Reynolds and Thomas Louis (Audrey) Reynolds Jr.; 25 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren. Audrey is also survived by her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Mrs. Yvonne Brownell Hendrick, Mrs. Hattie White, Mrs. Yvonne White, Mrs. Virginia Reed, Mrs. Esther White, Mrs. Stella White, and Robert and Jackie White; and many nieces and nephews. The Service of Praise and Thanksgiving for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ for Mrs. White was held on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at The Springs Church, 135 N. Grant, NE, Cedar Springs, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Barry Briggs and her son-in-law, Pastor Jennings Johnson officiating. Interment in Solon Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider The Springs Church. Relatives and friends met with the family at the Pederson Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Richard Earl Welsh, 69 of Kent City, died Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Metron of Cedar Springs. Mr. Welsh was born March 23, 1943 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Marion and Opal (Funk) Welsh. He enjoyed playing the harmonica, had a huge sense of humor and was a very caring person. He was a member of the Sparta Senior Center. Surviving are his sister, Lois VanWyk; children, Melody Parker, Kathy Welsh, Sonya Breen, Jeffrey Welsh, Timothy Welsh, Mandalyn Richardson, Jason Welsh; many grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert Welsh; sisters, Edith McCallum and Dorothy Cazier. Cremation has taken place. A memorial luncheon will be held at the Sparta Moose Lodge on Saturday, February 16 at 3:00 pm for all friends and family who wish to attend. Private interment will take place in Solon Township Cemetery.

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

Melvin A. “Rass” Branham, age 81, of Gowen, passed on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at United Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 2, 1931 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the son of Hobart & Mary (Hall) Branham. On May 20, 1967, he married the former Loretta Sizemore and she survives in addition to 3 daughters, Brenda Craigmyle of Grand Rapids, Tina Hansen of Cedar Springs, Teresa Branham of Sevierville, Tennessee; 5 sons, Robert (Marty) Jackson of Cedar Springs, Verne & Barb Branham of Cedar Springs, Tom & Christina Branham of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Robert (Bobby) Branham of Grand Rapids and Melvin (MJ) Branham of Sevierville, Tennessee; plus 20 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 1 sister, Nadine & Tommy Bagwell of Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews including Pam & Craig Bilski, Karen Holmes, Rita Holmes and Gay (Starr) Holmes. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, several brothers and sisters and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. A longtime resident of the Cedar Springs area, Melvin was a retired tool & die worker. In keeping with the family’s wishes, cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held on Saturday March 2 at Noon. Cedar Creek Community Church, 2969 14 Mile Rd., Sparta. There will be no visitation held. The Simpson Family Funeral Home is honored to serve the Branham family with care and compassion. To leave an online message of condolence, please go to www.simpsonfamilyfuneralhomes.com

Brant Anderson, age 29, of Pierson, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2013, from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident. As a youngster growing up in Pierson, he loved the outdoors, including fishing, hunting, or just being in the fields. His sister was his best friend. In 2002 he graduated from Tri-County High School, and while in school, he helped with the farm and bailed hay. His first truck was brown and yellow that he dearly loved, including the special name of “poop truck.” After high school he worked for Mellema Electric and then attended Baker College to become a Paramedic. Brant worked as a Paramedic for Montcalm County, AMR, and Life Ambulance. Later, he changed careers and then worked as a Supervisor for Lean Production Company. He was a giant who left footprints of being a gentle, compassionate person who had a special love for his son, family, and kids of all ages. He was a member of the Sand Lake Eagles. Brant is survived by his son, Liam and his fiancee, Samantha Harris; mother, Cindy Anderson; father, Dean Anderson and his wife, Julie; sister, Shanna and James Kuiper; nieces, Aubrey and Rielly; grandparents, Mrs. Mary Jo Roberts, and Duane and Marilyn Anderson; great-grandmother, Blanch Blow; aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Donald Roberts. The service for Brant will be Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 180 Northland Drive, Sand Lake, with Pastor Aaron Spratling officiating. Interment in Sand Lake Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the needs of the family. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the Pederson Funeral Home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Arrangements by The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com