Ruth Lillian Cole Nester-Polensky, age 65, passed away at her home on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. She was preceded in death by her first husband James Cole Sr. and her second husband, Edward Polensky Sr.; her parents, Willard and Emugene Coykendall; siblings, Edith, Raymond, Harry, Charles, Myrtle, Evelyn, James and Wanda. She will be sadly missed by her husband, Thomas Nester; children, James & Helen Cole, Joseph and Theresa Cole, Angela & Pete Garcia, Sandra and Jeremiah Kanuaz; 10 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; brother Erwin & Marge Coykendall; several nieces and nephews; very special friend, Lois Nester, Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 7th with Rev. Eric Coulon officiating.  Interment Fairplains Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to assist the family with expenses are asked to contact the funeral home.

Arrangements by Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home, www.hesselcheslek.com

Several residents, including Craig Cole and Robert Plank, brought in this old postcard of Cedar Springs. It shows what Cedar Springs looked like 140 years ago when it became a village.
According to the Cedar Springs Story, by Sue Harrison and Donna DeJonge, the photo was taken in 1871, and the village was incorporated in March of that year. The photo shows the intersection of Main and Muskegon Streets, looking north. The building on the left is Black’s first store. On the right is O’Dell’s Blacksmith shop, with his wagon shop just north of that. You can also see the United Methodist Church to the north of the wagon shop.

Ricardo Rios

Boxers from the Sand Lake Boxing Club competed in Bath, Michigan last Saturday, February 19. Sand Lake went 3-0 in Saturday’s bouts.

Lorenzo Esquivel started the night out by outpointing Ohio’s Brandon Raccio in his boxing debut. In the 8th bout of the night, Nick Ruvalcaba won by 3rd round TKO against Ohio’s Alex Hernandez. Ricardo Rios, competing in his first bout at the 132lb weight class, won via 3rd TKO against Grand Rapids Kevin Cole.

“I feel really strong in this weight class,” said Rios.

The 2011 Golden Gloves Tournament will be held March 12 at the 44th street armory in Grand Rapids. Boxers of the Sand Lake Boxing Club have turned up the intensity of their workouts in preparation for this year’s tournament. This year’s team includes many Cedar Spring boxers. Ricardo Rios will represent Sand Lake in the 132lb open division. Rios is a two time state runner up in the 141lb division. Nate Macdonald, 2010’s 152lb sub-novice city champion, will compete in the 141 novice division. Other local boxers include Nate Phelps at 165lb, Kyle Dunmire at 152lb and Jeff Knapp at 178lb.