Mrs. Emma J. (Goller) Gebhardt, age 80, of Cedar Springs, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 29, 2012. Emma was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Leo J. and Addie (Phelps) Goller. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cherished each and every one of them. Emma has touched so many lives by being a caring, giving, and loving individual. Right to the very end she had a sense of humor and tried to stay in control of the situation. Preceding her in death was her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert, brothers, Oscar and Richard Goller, sisters-in-law, Hilda Davis, Janie Gebhardt, brother-in-law, Melvin Davis, and great-granddaughter, Cora Veronica Wydock. Emma will be greatly missed by her loving children, Connie (Corky) Teer of Cedar Springs, Robert (Jean) Gebhardt of Amble, Samuel (Karen) Gebhardt of Cedar Springs, and Marie (Kevin) Norton of Southington, CT; her grandchildren, Carrie Teer, Courtney (Dave) Wydock, Kelby (JaNae) Teer, Austin Gebhardt, Blaine Gebhardt, Jacob, Jordan and Paige Gebhardt, Emily, Matthew and Audrey Norton; great-grandchildren, Kaleb Teer, Connor and Caden Wydock, and Weston and Warren Gebhardt; brother, John (Peggy) Goller, sisters-in-law, Betty Goller and Mary (Goller) Kilts; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Raymond Gebhardt, Albert (Letha) Gebhardt, Harold (Lynn) Green; and many nieces and nephews; and a close friend of the family, Robert Grice. Emma was active in the family business of Gebhardt Plumbing & Heating and enjoyed working alongside her son at Cedar Springs Mill and Supply. She proudly carried with her a life full of accomplishments. The service for Mrs. Gebhardt will be Friday, May 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 180 Northland Dr., Sand Lake, with Pastor Lee Zabrocki officiating. Interment in Courtland Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Emma to the American Lung Association or Resurrection Lutheran Church of Sand Lake. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the Pederson Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford

www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Melinda Abbott, of Cedar Springs and Edward Grice, of Sand Lake are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Chelsea Grice to Cory Kulak, on April 14, 2012. Both bride and groom are from Cedar Springs and graduated with the class of 2008 at Cedar Springs High School. The groom’s parents are Ed and Sandy Kulak of Cedar Springs. The ceremony took place at Howard Christensen Nature Center, with the reception at the Red Flannel Rod and Gun Club. The bride’s attendants were Katie Schreiber, Brittany Johnson (both friends), and sisters Miranda Grice, Ashley Crowe, and Grace Abbott as flower girl. The groom’s attendants were Ryan Hanna (friend), uncles Brian and Dan Kulak, and his cousin Mikey Kulak. Their honeymoon was at Disney World and they will reside in Rockford.

To All Our Family and Friends;

No words can express the love and prayers we received from all of you during our time of grieving in the loss of Tyler.  We have been so blessed with the outpouring of support during this time and all the blessings we have seen already.  Tyler has touched so many people, with giving their life to Jesus, with organ donations and his love for his family and friends.

We are very grateful to have such wonderful friends and family.

Love to all of You- 

The Tyler Helton Family

Mr. Thomas W. Smith, age 66, of Baldwin and formerly of Cedar Springs, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, surrounded by his loving family at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Tom was born in Traverse City and raised in Rockford, MI. He was preceded in death by his mother, Leota “Pat” Shears. Tom worked for Gust Construction until retirement in 2007. He was a loving, devoted husband of 48 years to Marcia (Palmer) Smith. They enjoyed doing many things together such as traveling on their Honda Goldwing all over the U.S., boating & snowmobiling all of which included their beloved Sheltie dog, Tapanga. In 2005 they purchased property up in Baldwin and this became the family home/campground known as the “Eagle Nest”. Tom was also the father of two daughters who recall their Dad’s steadfast commitment to his family and unconditional love. He is survived by his wife Marcia; children, Yvonne & Marshall Olson, Dawn Smith Cramer & her fiancé, Bernie Johnson; grandchildren, Terry II & Cassandra Cramer, Michael Cramer, Holly & Eric Almy, Shonna & Bronson Hayden, Christine & Jason York, Charles & Christen Olson, Daniel Olson & Michael Olson, and 8 great-grandchildren; 5 siblings, Sharon & Fred Shatz, Verna & Gene Ashley, Sandy & Derald Rhineberger, Gayle & George Hawley, Bill & Susie LaFollette. Services for Mr. Smith will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Resurrection LifeChurch 3233 10 Mile NE, Rockford with brother-in-law Pastor Derald Rhineberger officiating. Donations may be made for the needs of the family. Visitation will be at the Pederson Funeral Home on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Pastor Dick Nichols

Cedar Creek Community Church

2969 14 Mile Road, Sparta

You can be sure that at least once in everyone’s life, something so difficult and painful will happen that we will ask “God … why?” So many things in life seem unexplainable; why does a tornado destroy one house and leave another untouched? Why does one brother prosper while another struggles all of his life? Why did the tumor come back when the doctor said he thought he got it all? We all have these types of questions in this life; the list is endless.

Sometimes we encounter circumstances, events and situations that make it seem like the entire world is collapsing around us. Things make no sense at all. And, if there is a purpose behind it, we can’t see it. So, we will turn to the Bible for comfort and read scripture like “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, New International Version).

Before my wife and I accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, there were some painful and difficult events in our family, and we heard this verse quoted to us more than once from well-meaning friends, and we didn’t find any consolation in it. Now that Jesus is our Lord, we have an understanding that we couldn’t have before.

Do all things work together for good? My answer to this question is now an emphatic YES! But there still remains the inevitable question “are all things good?” that can only be answered emphatically NO! The difference is that we know now that the Lord can turn harrowing circumstances around and literally cause everything to work together for good. It’s tough for many of us to grab hold of the idea that God doesn’t let anything go to waste in our lives. He has a purpose and a reason for everything that happens in the lives of his followers and will even use the bad and difficult things to produce good on our behalf.

I do not have to tell you that Romans 8:28 is one of the most beloved verses in the Bible. But there are times when this verse is misused and is thrown at those suffering, as if it could answer every question in life. That is the opposite of what Paul the apostle intended. Some people think that after a tragedy, God will show up and make everything come out o.k. Then, when life’s wrinkles don’t get ironed out, they wonder “where was God when…?”

That is not the biblical view at all. In reality we know now that God is there at the beginning, and God is there at the end, and he is there at every point in between. Simply put, this scripture lets Christians know that God was there before it all happened and he is still there when it is over, and that his plan is to serve a higher purpose and bring about good results.

The Bible never asks us to pretend that tragedy isn’t tragedy, or to pretend that our pain isn’t real. The point is, we must see the active involvement of God in our circumstances. Paul taught, in Romans 5:3-4, that a believer’s faith and character must be refined, purified and tempered in order to grow and reach greater levels of maturity for God so he can make us into what he wants us to be, to do what he has called us to do.

The Lord allows assorted troubles, trials, and temptations to test our faith and spiritual character so that we can grow closer to our Lord. You will never face any trial that you and Jesus cannot overcome. This does not mean that we will evade such trouble; it means that with him, we will be able to bear them.

Scripture does not say that whatever happens is good, or that suffering and evil and tragedy are good, or that we will be able to understand why God allows what he allows in our lives. Instead, God puts a sign over us that reads: “Patience, God is at work.” As in any construction project, don’t judge the end by the beginning.

Happy 90th Birthday

Mildred Robertson

The family of Mildred (McIntyre) (Wesche) Robertson invites you to participate in a card shower to celebrate her 90th Birthday on May 8.  Please help us give her a birthday to remember by filling her mailbox with Birthday Wishes!  Send cards to reach her home at 67 S. Lincoln Street, Rockford, MI 49341.

50^th Anniversary

Chuck and Donna Scheidel

Chuck and Donna Scheidel of Cedar Springs, Michigan are celebrating their 50th  Wedding Anniversary on April 28, 2012. A weekend outing is planned. Children of Chuck and Donna are Alan and Annette Mongar, Paul and Shelly Bowerman, Mike Scheidel, and Chuck Scheidel. They have seven grandchildren.

Our dear Husband, Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa who joined the Lord eleven years ago April 30, 2001. Spring has come and so are all the memories of loving you. Our lives go on without you but nothing is the same. We have to hide our heartache when someone speaks your name. Sad are the hearts that love you, silent the tears that fall. Living our lives without you is the hardest part of all. You did so many things for us, your heart was kind and true, and when we needed someone we could always count on you. The special years will not return when we were all together, but with the love within our hearts a part of us went with you the day God took you home.

Greatly loved and missed by his wife Rosalynn, sons; Dennis (Cindy), Dean (Kristie), grandchildren; Cory (Mandy), Zachary (Angie), Molly (Matt), Emily (Marshall), Nate (Kalli), great grandchildren Megan, Cody, Ally, Abbie, Maddie, Ezzy, Tristin, Ashley, Aubrey, Easton, and Lilly Sue.

In Loving Memory of

Phyllis Marie Brantner (Wheeler)

October 1, 1930 – April 29, 2002

When someone you love becomes a memory,

The memory becomes a treasure

Forever missed my her children and family

Tyler James Helton, age 20, of Sand Lake, passed away very unexpectedly on Sunday, April 22, 2012, from injuries following a car accident. He was a 2010 graduate of Tri-County High School where he played basketball (point guard) and baseball (right field and first base). He really enjoyed his senior year. Tyler accepted Christ as his Savior at church camp at the age of 8. Three months ago he was baptized at Keystone Church in Grand Rapids. He liked dirt bikes and fast cars especially his ’99 Camaro T-top and then his Pontiac Grand Am GT. Tyler spent time with his nieces and nephews and liked to play with them and take them for rides. Tyler enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Just recently he joined the US Marines and was looking forward to reporting to Boot Camp in California. Tyler is survived by his parents, Marty and Marcia (Rosenberger) Helton; brothers and sisters, Stacie and Traviss Tompkins, Matthew Helton and Marcie Thompson, Katie and Jed Gitchel, Heidi Helton; nieces and nephews with one more anticipated; his grandparents, Betty Rosenberger, Marlene and Gene Ledford; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Leighton Rosenberger and Starlin Helton. The service for Tyler will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Solon Center Wesleyan Church (19 Mile and Algoma) with Rev. Tom Holloway and Rev. Wayne Cash officiating. Interment in Sand Lake Cemetery. Monetary gifts in honor of Tyler may be given to DeVos Children’s Hospital, 100 Michigan, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the Pederson Funeral Home on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. In honor of Tyler’s personality his family encourages you to dress causally while attending visitation and the service. Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com