By now, you should have received a survey from the Library Board regarding services and a new building. We apologize if we have missed or overlooked any of you. There are extra surveys at the library for you to come in and fill out. We value your opinions and greatly appreciate your time in completing them.

As a reminder, the Library Board is asking you to fill out the surveys and return them to the library either by mail to 43 W. Cherry Street, Cedar Springs, MI 49319, or drop if off at the library, or in the book return dropbox. We would appreciate receiving the surveys no later than October 1. We will then compile the collected information and submit it to our recently formed building committee.

We thank you for your time and opinions.

Sincerely,

Earla Jean Alber, Cedar Springs

Library Board Chair

Mrs. Bertha J. Alber, age 78, of Cedar Springs, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Her parents were farmers on Jewell Avenue; Bertha would walk over the river and through the woods to attend Chalmers School. She was a 1953 graduate of Sparta High School. As a teenager, Bertha accepted Christ at Algoma Baptist Church. She met David at a Youth for Christ rally. They shared a Bible and were soon holding hands. She and David were married on August 5, 1955. Bertha joined First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs where she taught Sunday school for 25 years, worked in the nursery, helped on funeral lunches, was instrumental in the preparation for AWANA for her sons, and also helped with Cubbies. Bertha and David became owners of Alber Electric in 1978 and continued to work there. Bertha was a caregiver for her parents and her in-laws when their lives were in transition. She enjoyed doing something for others, became a peacemaker with encouragement for others to love one another, and made quilts and other items which have become cherished gifts. Bertha is survived by her children, Phillip and Earla Alber, Karl and Kelly Alber, Debra and Benjamin Kinsey, Gregory Alber, Mark and E.Lisa Alber, and Vonda Alber; 32 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren plus the most anticipated arrival of two more; brothers-in-law, Pastor Charles (Ruth) Alber, and Eugene Williams. She was preceded in death by her husband, David on April 7, 1997, granddaughter, Sharon Alber, great-grandson, Jason C. Erbes, and her sisters, Joy Riihmaa, and Doris Kleinjans. The Service of Praise and Thanksgiving for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ for Mrs. Alber will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs with Pastor Stanley Mohr and her brother-in-law, Pastor Charles Alber officiating. Interment in Blythefield Memory Gardens. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs, 233 S. Main St., Cedar Springs, MI 49319. 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. and prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com