Mr. Maurice H. Murray, age 96, of Avon Park, Florida and formerly of Cedar Springs, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, December 24, 2012, while in Sarasota, Florida. He grew up in the Bailey area where his father farmed and was a meat cutter. After attending school, Maurice would help on the farm. He was honored to have served his country in the US Navy. Maurice attended the Church of Christ in Bailey. His family loved living on a farm; and his children have many special memories of being pulled by the sled on the farm. For many years, he was a part-owner of Murray Lumber Company in Grant. He and Jane had attended First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs. Maurice is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Janice and Bill Follett, Hope and Joe Austin, Leora and Mike McCartin, Diane and Mike Nieman, and Maurice Murray, Jr; step-children, Gary Shears, William and Linda Shears, Karen and Bob Gebhart, Mrs. Chris Shears; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Ronald and Doris Murray; sister, Ellen Tibbe; and nieces and nephews. Maurice was preceded in death by his first wife, Leola Murray, daughter, Nancy Gleason, step-daughter, Judy Brugel, and Joan, and step-son, Brian Brugel. The Service of Praise and Thanksgiving for the gift of everlasting life through Jesus Christ for Mr. Murray will be Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs, 233 S. Main St., Cedar Springs, MI with Pastor Jim Howard officiating. Military honors will be under the auspices of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will be made in Maple Grove Cemetery in Fremont. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Sunday from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. before the service.

Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford

www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Evelyn Bursma, age 98, of Cedar Springs, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, on Sunday, December 23, 2012. She was born in Coopersville, Michigan, where her parents, Leonard and Georgia (Nee Granger) VanderVelde raised cattle, chickens, and crops to support them. When school was out for the day, she needed to come straight home and had many chores to do. After she was married, she became homemaker, wife and eventually a mother to four children. Mrs. Bursma was raised in a Christ-centered home and on Sunday and other special days they would travel by horse and buggy to get to church or other events. One can only imagine the changes that Mrs. Bursma witnessed during her lifetime. The Great Depression, invention of the automobile, World Wars, impeachment of a President, man landing on the moon, and terrorist attacks on our nation. She also watched her own children grow and become adults, marry and have children, and even becoming a great grandmother.  She taught her children about embroidering, cooking, parenting and a great faith life by her example. In recent years before her eyesight failed she would cross stitch, work crossword puzzles, and play a good game of bingo. Mrs. Bursma is survived by her children, Edward L. Bursma, Betty Jean Bursma, Elaine June and Ron Schofield, Ron and Beverly Bursma; 9 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Bursma on October 27, 1999, her brother, George VanderVelde, and sisters, Marian Brown, and Lillian Buist. The service in celebrating her faith life and physical life for Mrs. Bursma will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Tigchon officiating. Interment in Washington Park Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Sanctuary at Saint Mary’s, 1050 Four Mile Road NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford

www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

William A. Annable, 88 of Sand Lake, died Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at Metron of Cedar Springs where he had been a resident for five years. He was born November 24, 1924 in Petoskey, MI the son of William and Mary (DeYoung) Annable. He was a veteran of the Army Air Force serving during World War II and had retired from Kelvinator. Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a tinkerer. Surviving are three children, William (Joy) Annable, Gloria (Lloyd) Rayman, Larry (Beth) Annable; 9 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; sister, Lorna Edsall. A memorial service and luncheon was held Monday at the Cedar Springs American Legion Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Metron of Cedar Springs. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

Dawn R. Kelly 47 of Sand Lake, passed away on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Dawn was born January 30, 1965 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the daughter of Ronald and Shirley (Harris) Fisher. She was an RN at Spectrum Health United Memorial for 10 years. Dawn was a loving spouse, mother and “gamma.” She enjoyed and lived to care for and teach her children and grandchildren. Her family and friends were a very important part of her life. Surviving are her husband, soul mate and best friend, Randy, whom she married on May 7, 1983; children, Ryan (Nickie Carriere), Brandon (Vanessa Hawley), Aaron (Blair Russell), and Adam (Chelsey Twichell); grandchildren, Chase, Kyler, Caden, Brinleigh, and Cameron; father and stepmother, Ronald & Kathy Fisher; mother, Shirley Fisher; siblings, Phylis & James VanderHoning, Deb & Jeff Davis, Biff & Karen Harris; mother-in-law, Bonnie Kelly; many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and close friends. As per her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will greet friends Friday from 5-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where a celebration of her life will take place Saturday at 2:00 pm. The family will greet friends Saturday at 1:00 pm. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Memorial contributions may be made at any Chase Bank to help with expenses.

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

Esther Merz Flory Soderstrom, age 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 4, 2012. She was born on March 12, 1922 in Conklin, Michigan to Martin and Amanda Merz. Esther graduated Salutatorian of her class at Sparta High School and later attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Grand Rapids where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Always generous and giving, Esther worked as an LPN at Sunshine Hospital (now Kent Community), Grand Rapids Osteopathic (now Metro Hospital), St. Mary’s Hospital, Clark Retirement Home, and Grant Hospital. She later continued her service to others as a Private Duty Nurse and through Elder Care visits. Esther was devoted to her faith, being a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Conklin. A woman of many interests and talents, Esther enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles, plastic canvas and cross stitch, reading murder mysteries, and her beloved Detroit Tigers. She was preceded in death by husbands, Arthur Flory II, Walter Soderstrom, daughter, Tonia Clements, brother, Martin Merz, and sister, Flora Damaske. She is survived by her children, Arthur (Karen) Flory III of Belmont, Mark (Cheryl) Flory of Petersburg, Bill (Cris) Flory of Sand Lake, Cheri (Walter Prothero) Flory of Eden, Utah; step-children, Marilyn Nott of Grand Rapids, Bruce Soderstrom of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Rachel (Tim) Todish, Nathan Flory, Matthew (Amy) Flory, Lisa Flory, Samantha Flory, William Flory II, Caitlin Soderstrom, Ben Soderstrom; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters and brothers, Gertrude Wright of St. Paul, MN, Vera (Clarence) Reither of Jacksonville, IL, Walter (Lu Ann) Merz of St. Paul, MN, Rev. Earl (Glennice) Merz of Spring Lake, and Eunice Florip of Grand Rapids, and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford, Michigan on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 until 11 a.m. at the church. A Service of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1351 Harding St., Conklin, Michigan, with Pastor Mark Oswald. Interment in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Conklin or Heartland Hospice, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Craig S. Riggle, 58 of Cedar Springs, was ushered into the presence of his Heavenly Father on Sunday, November 18, 2012. Craig was a 1973 graduate of Cedar Springs High School. His love of anything automotive led him to seek employment at Hough’s Gulf Station, Rowland Bros Automotive, Verwys Auto Parts, Ed’s Auto Body and eventually to Auto Die in Grand Rapids where he became a die barber. His last employment was at Saturn Tire in Cedar Springs. In 2003 after suffering a heart attack and subsequent seizure disorder, he was forced to resign from the everyday work force. Craig was preceded in death by his father, Howard “Slim” Riggle in 1981; brother-in-law, Robert F. Eary in 1999; and a niece, Piper Gates in 2012. He is survived by his mother, Janet L. Riggle of Cedar Springs; twin brother, H. David (Cyndi) Riggle of Cedar Springs; three sisters, LeeAnn Eary of Boyne City, Debbi (Lohryn) Gates of Howard City, Terri L. Riggle of Cedar Springs; uncle, Charles (Mary) Crosby of Marshall; many nieces and nephews. Craig’s family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the folks at Sue’s Kountry Kitchen and Kelly’s Restaurant for the years of help and care that they provided him as he continued to suffer under the burden of his seizure disorder. The family will greet friends Friday, Nov. 30 from 1:00 pm until time of service at 3:00 pm at the United Methodist Church, Cedar Springs. Pastor Chad Wight and Pastor Tony Karns officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to Mel Trotter Ministries. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

Carol J. Magoon, 78 of Cedar Springs, died Monday, November 26, 2012 at home. Carol was born September 26, 1934 in Comstock Park, Michigan, the daughter of Glen and Ruth (Hall) Brailey. She was a member of the Cedar Springs American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Surviving are her children, Dan Davis, Jim (Sandy) Davis, Greg Magoon, Eric (Bobbi) Magoon; 13 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; sisters, Judy (Paul) Woody, Eleanor Stegehuis. She was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Brailey. The family will greet friends Thursday from 4-6 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Private family interment will take place in the spring at Blythefield Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to help the family with funeral expenses. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Duane C. Rowland, 65 of Cedar Springs, died Monday, November 26, 2012 at Spectrum Health- Butterworth Campus. Duane was born September 13, 1947 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Jack and Dorothy (Tompsett) Rowland. Duane served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He had a tremendous passion for hunting, shooting, and the great outdoors. Surviving are his children, Kevin Rowland of Cedar Springs, Mindy and (Bruce) Parker of Bonaire, Georgia; granddaughter, Emily Parker; siblings, Jack (Ellen Bourke) Rowland, Willard Rowland, Kathleen (Brian) Botbyl; niece, Beth (Lee) Raimer. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Victor and Steven Rowland; nephew, Lyle Dean Monroe. The family will receive friends Friday 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, where services will be held Saturday 11:00 am. Military honors conducted by the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard. Interment East Nelson Cemetery. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Ronald R. Burt, 56 of Cedar Springs, died Thursday, November 22, 2012 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus. Ron was born December 9, 1955 in Flint, Michigan the son of the late Roy and Dorothy (Brock) Burt. He worked for General Motors for 30 years retiring in 2009. He enjoyed gardening, watching baseball and hockey and listening to gospel music. Surviving are his wife, Sharon; daughters, Heather and Lindsay; brothers, Timothy and Robert. The family greeted friends Monday, Nov. 26  from 11:00 am until time of service at 1:00 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Dale Rabineau officiating. Interment East Nelson Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to donor’s choice.

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

Jerry Dean Hunter, 50 of Howard City, passed away Thursday, November 29, 2012 after a long battle with leukemia. Jerry Dean was born June 3, 1962 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Jerry L. and Caroline (Nelson) Hunter. He was a master mechanic and had a great passion for taking motors apart since he was old enough to know how to use pliers and a screwdriver. He had a love of cars, racing and mud runs. He was a member of Resurrection Life Church in Rockford. Surviving are his daughters, Caylyn Hunter, Trisha Peuler, Susan Rathbun all of Howard City; grandchildren, Courtney, Cameron, Dominic, Gracie, and Easton; mother, Caroline (Dave) Bartlette of Cedar Springs; siblings, J. Vincent (Tamara) Hunter, Lezlie (Doug) Price, 1st Sgt. Brice Bartlette. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry L. Hunter; brother, Jeffrey A. Hunter; grandparents, Les and Leona Hunter, William and Mildred Nelson. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association or the family. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.