Virginia (Miller) McIntyre of Cedar Springs, Michigan, age 99, passed away on Saturday, September 1, 2018. She was born to Louis and Marie Miller on February 9, 1919, in Courtland Township, Michigan. Virginia married John C. McIntyre on July 20, 1935. They lived and worked in Detroit during W.W.II. John and Virginia then moved back to the Grand Rapids area and settled on a farm in Rockford, Michigan on Young Avenue, with her parents and grandmother, Ida Scott. Virginia worked at Blodgett hospital in the dietician department, from where she retired. She and John sold the farm at their retirement and moved to White Creek Estates in Cedar Springs. John passed away on May 9, 1986, and Virginia made her home in Cedar Springs. She helped her brother, Wendell care for his wife, Sylvia, after a stroke. Then, made a home for him with her in Cedar Springs until his death. Although Virginia and John didn’t have children, she was mom and grandma to, and survived by, her nieces and nephews; Eva (Ken) Suttorp, and their children, Beth, Herb and Sean; Ken (Lisa) Suttorp, and their children, Taylor and Madison; and Gerald and Jean Miller, and their children, Juanita, Laretta, Jeff, Dennis, Rene, Rick, Jerrine and Ethel Marie. Virginia had wonderful neighbors and friends who blessed her in later years. The family would like to thank them for their many kindnesses: Carolyn and Tom, Carol and Darel, Arlene and Dick, and Vicky. The family also thanks Dr. Mark Fredrickson, St. Mary Hospital, Great Lakes Caring (hospice), and Metron of Forest Hills for their good care and personal attention. The funeral service for Virginia will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341. There will be a one hour visitation prior to the service. Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy may make a memorial contribution to Sunshine Community Church, 3300 East Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525.

Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford

On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Troopers from the Mt. Pleasant State Police Post responded to a report of a house fire at 1487 N. Lakola Rd, Ellsworth Twp, Lake County, Michigan.

Mt. Pleasant Troopers, Lake County Sheriff Deputies, MSP Fire Investigators and LeRoy Twp Fire department personnel responded to the fire. Human remains were located at the scene. An autopsy was conducted at Blodgett Hospital and the victim was positively identified as the homeowner, Evelyn Louise Ware, 79.  

The Lake County Medical Examiner’s office has ruled Ms. Ware’s death a homicide. Detectives from the MSP Mt. Pleasant Post, Hart Post, and 6^th District Headquarters, along with investigators from the MSP Fire Investigation Unit continue to investigate.  

At this time the Michigan State Police is announcing that there is now up to a $5,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. If you have information that could assist investigators, contact the MSP Mt. Pleasant Post at 989-773-5951 during business hours, or contact the Cadillac Area Silent Observer at 231-779-9215 or 1-800-528-8234. Tips submitted through the Cadillac Area Silent Observer, can be submitted anonymously. Tips can also be submitted through www.P3tips.com.

According to the Cadillac News, Ware was a former member of the Lake County Sheriff’s Posse and the former director of Pine River Schools Transportation. 

Tina Freese-Decker

Tina Freese-Decker became interim president at Spectrum Health United Memorial July 1. Tina’s interim placement comes as result of Paul Bonis’ transition to the role of president at Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids.

Tina will be responsible for both the operations and strategic planning at United and Kelsey hospitals.
She joined Spectrum Health in 2002 as a postgraduate fellow in health care administration. In 2003, she became director of system strategic planning and development. Three years later she was named vice president of the department and executive director of the Spectrum Health Regional Hospital Network. Her experience in strategic planning and developing system wide growth and business plans will be an asset to Spectrum Health United Memorial as she continues implementation of the many strategic initiatives started under Paul Bonis’ leadership.

Tina earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Iowa State University in Ames and holds master’s degrees in health administration and industrial engineering from The University of Iowa in Iowa City.
She assumed her interim role on July 1.

About Spectrum Health United Memorial: Spectrum Health United Memorial is comprised of United Hospital in Greenville, Kelsey Hospital in Lakeview, the Spectrum Health United Memorial Foundation and United Lifestyles. Spectrum Health United Hospital provides local access to quality care through the region’s largest health care system.