Max W. Cole age 85 of Cedar Springs, died Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus. Max was born August 8, 1935 in Cedar Springs, MI the son of Waldo and Mary (Day) Cole. He was a lifelong farmer and hauled milk for over 40 years. Max enjoyed antique collecting and was a previous member of the John Deere two-cylinder club. He served on the founding Courtland Township Fire Board. You were only a stranger for a short time with Max, he enjoyed talking with people and getting to know them. Surviving are his wife, Lucinda “Cindy”; daughter, Karen Sanders; granddaughter, Jennifer (Jason) Lund; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Kinsley and Madison; brother, Bill (Kathy) Cole; in-laws, Gloria Cole, Joyce Cavner, Reta McKee, Patrick Holland and Gerald Parker; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin; his parents; siblings, Beverly Parker, Ruthann Baxter, Patricia Holland, Art Cole, James Cole. The family will greet friends Thursday, November 12 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Masks are required. A private family service will be held Friday. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held at the Farm on Friday 1:30 p.m.

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

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Linda A. Christensen 68 of Cedar Springs, died Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Mercy Health – St. Mary’s. Linda was born March 24, 1950 in Ludington, MI the daughter of Robert and Edith (Clark) Matson. She was the City Clerk for Cedar Springs for over 20 years and prior to that was a stringer for the Grand Rapids Press. She was involved with the Cedar Springs Community Players Marketing Committee and enjoyed traveling and lighthouses. Surviving are her husband, Doug; children, Ben (Connie) Branyan, Luke (Rachel) Branyan, April (Chelsea) Branyan; step children, Kate (Stan) Mathuram, David (Erica) Christensen; 12 grandchildren; sisters, Barb (Jim) Husted, Marjorie “Midge” Holmes. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph Branyan; one brother, Robert “Bud” Matson; brother-in-law, Tom Holmes; stepson, Hans. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 3 at 11:00 am at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cedar Springs Community Players.

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

Joel E. Kinsey age 20 of Sand Lake, died Thursday, January 4, 2018 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Joel was born November 2, 1997 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Jerry and Nicole (Frahm) Kinsey. He was a 2016 graduate of Tri-County High School and was presently serving as a LCpl in the U.S. Marines. He enjoyed hunting with his dogs and fishing. He loved chocolate and had a huge sweet tooth. Surviving are his mother, Nicole (Fernando Bernal) Kinsey; father, Jerry Kinsey; sisters, Naomi (Corey) Wesche, Jordan Kinsey, Sophia Bernal; brothers, Nickolas Kinsey, Ezra Kinsey; special friend, Brianna Hesselink; and extended family. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Friday 10:00 a.m. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sand Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health NICU.

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

Betty Jane Patterson 94, of Rockford, Michigan died Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at Metron of Belding. Betty was born February 14, 1923 in Coral, Michigan the daughter of Gaylor & Elsie (Zenk) Lytle. She is survived by her children, Shirley DeYoung and Sandra Frandsen; grandchildren, Paul (Tiff) DeYoung, Cory (Charleigh) Frandsen, Andrea (Michael) VanSetters, Austin (Amber) Frandsen; great-granddaughter, Ashtynn and a great-grandson on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband Carroll in 1997; brothers, Alfred “Al” Lytle and Bruce Rasmussen and son-in-law, Tom DeYoung. The family will greet friends Sunday 2-4 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service will be Monday 10 a.m. at the Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church. Pastors Kim DeLong and Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church.

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

Roger G. Cavner, 80 of Sand Lake, died Sunday, August 6, 2017 at his home. Roger was born May 31, 1937 in Sand Lake, Michigan the son of Emmett and Nina (Tisdel) Cavner. He had worked at Helms Lighted Pictures, Brick & Block Layer, Kelvinator, Cedar Springs Public Schools and was a custodian at Tri-County Schools for 29 years retiring in 2002. He had served as sexton for East Nelson and Punches Cemeteries for many years. He enjoyed working at the West Michigan Whitecaps as an usher from 2002 until now. Surviving are his wife, Joyce (Parker); children, Dawn Seif, Mark (Kim) Cavner, Brian (Susan) Cavner; grandchildren, Jessica (Andrew) Mercer, John Seif, Lauren (Chad) Williams, Brent and fiancee, Katie Esakson, Stephen, Matthew and Aaron; one great-grandson and one on the way; sisters, Kathleen (Leonard) Woodman, Patti (Philip) Starr; mother-in-law, Martha Parker; in-laws, Gerald Parker, Lucinda (Max) Cole, Reta (Charles) McKee; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Charles; father-in-law, Wendell Parker; son-in-law, Timothy Seif; grandson, Ryan Doyle; sister-in-law, Beverly Parker; nephew, Kevin Cole. The family greeted friends Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the memorial service will be held Thursday 11:00 a.m. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment East Nelson Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Meijer Heart Center.

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

Loretta E. Lewis 90 of Cedar Springs, died Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at Faith Hospice – Trillium Woods. Mrs. Lewis was born April 8, 1926 in Unionville, Michigan the daughter of Jasper and Loretta (Rock) Sweitzer. She enjoyed doing word search, spending time with her family and camping. Surviving are her children, Wayne (Patricia) Lewis Jr., Jasper (Sally) Lewis, Raymond Lewis, Barb Lewis, Jeanette Lewis, Layne Lewis, Jayne Lewis, Etta Jones, and Ella (Benny) Wise; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Lewis Sr. in 1997. The family will greet friends Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Saturday 11:00 am. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice.

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

Jerry L. Elder, 72, of Newaygo, died Monday, May 16, 2016 at Metro Health Hospital. Jerry was born May 7, 1944 in Cedar Springs, Michigan, the son of Cecil and Virginia (Hanna) Elder. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. He owned and operated Elder Forest Products since 1981. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved his work at the sawmill and most importantly the numerous family gatherings with his children and grandchildren. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Darlene (Wert); children, Chad (Melody) Elder, Tammy (Brian) Hills, Gerry Aley; 8 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; mother, Virginia Fisher; sister, Judy (Dan) Sturgeon; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Maurice Dean; brothers, Jack and Ralph. The family will greet friends Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Friday 2:00 pm. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment with military honors at Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Metro Health Hospital or the Friends of the Michigan Veterans Home.

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

Irvin L. Smith, 67, of Sand Lake, died Friday, May 13, 2016 at his home with his family by his side. Irvin was born November 8, 1948 in Cedar Springs, Michigan, the son of Alvin and Ida (Spencer) Smith. He graduated from Kent City High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Vietnam War. He received a Silver Star and Purple Heart. He enjoyed being a mechanic, restoring tractors, hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. When he married Denise in 1998 he took in her children as his own. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anybody. Surviving are his wife, Denise (Pope); children, Kevin (Connie) Smith, Ann (Aaron) Kindel; stepchildren, Chad (Jeannie) Fisk, Ken (Courtney) Fisk, Sherri (Ron) Potes; grandchildren, Ashley (Jeremiah) Strawderman, Nicole Smith, AJ, Austin and Alivia Kindel, Chase and Archer Fisk; brother, Ike (Joyce) Smith; parents-in-law, Keith (Shirley) Pope; brothers-in-law, Keith (Dixie) Pope, Mark Pope, Bill (Angela) Pope; several nieces and nephews; his baby girl, Stormy. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Carol Lundquist; brother, David Smith. A private family memorial service will be held. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan or Friends of the Michigan Veterans Home.

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