Mark A. Ritter, 63 of Cedar Springs, died Sunday, April 1, 2018 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Mark was born January 22, 1955 in Big Rapids, Michigan the son of Alan and Clara (TenEyck) Ritter. He was a graduate of Cedar Springs High School and served in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and storytelling. He loved his family and grandkids. Surviving are his wife, Terri; sons, Alan (Bernice) and Aaron (Madeline); grandchildren, Nickolie, Alister, Noah, Owen and one on the way; brother, Gary (BJ). Cremation has taken place and a private memorial will be held. 

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

Joel Kinsey, a 2016 Tri County graduate, was killed in a traffic crash on 14 Mile Rd on Jan. 4.

Several people were injured and one person died in a crash on 14 Mile Rd, in Oakfield Township, last week Thursday.

According to the Michigan State Police, the crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday, January 4, west of Wabasis Ave. The investigation showed that an eastbound vehicle driven by Joseph Hanna, 39, of Sparta, tried to pass a vehicle driven by Jerry Kinsey, 48, of Sand Lake, and the two vehicles collided. The collision resulted in both vehicles losing control and Kinsey’s vehicle spinning into the westbound lane, where it was struck by a van driven by Gail Gansmiller, 48, of Sheridan. The passenger in Kinsey’s vehicle, his 20-year-old son, Joel Kinsey, of Sand Lake, was killed, and Jerry Kinsey was transported to Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids in critical condition.  

Hanna and Gansmiller were treated for minor injuries. 

Police said that speed and alcohol were not believed to be factors in the crash.  

Assisting at the scene was Oakfield Township Fire, Courtland Township Fire, the Kent County Sheriff Department, and Rockford Ambulance.

Joel Kinsey was a 2016 graduate of Tri-County High School and was presently serving as a LCpl in the U.S. Marines. He is the son of Jerry Kinsey and Nicole (Fernando Bernal) Kinsey.

Click here to see his obituary.

Tyler Francis Butler

A Sand Lake area man died last weekend when he was thrown from his ATV while riding on Drummond Island in the Upper Peninsula.

The accident reportedly occurred shortly after midnight, on Friday, September 23. Tyler Francis Butler, 24, of Sand Lake, was riding his ATV on Lincoln Road, north of Johnswood Road, when it left the road and struck a tree.

Butler was thrown from the ATV and died of his injuries at the scene.

Police are still investigating the accident, and believe that alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

According to his obituary, Butler proudly served his country as a Sgt. in the U.S. Marines for four years in Japan, Afghanistan and the Philippines. He leaves behind his wife, Mica and their 6-month-old daughter, Athena. A gofundme page has been set up to help the family with expenses. You can visit it and donate at  https://www.gofundme.com/2qvfy5g.

Sgt. Bobbie Sue Chesbro, 25, passed away Monday, November 23, 2015 in California. Bobbie Sue was born October 1, 1990 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the daughter of Patrick and Carlien (Brinks) Chesbro. She was currently serving in the U.S. Marines at the Marine Corp. Mountain Training Center in Bridgeport, California. She was a very tender, caring and loving person. Surviving are her parents, Patrick and Carlien Chesbro of Pierson; sister, Bernice (Alan) Ritter; brother, Patrick Chesbro II; nephews, Nickolie and Alister; grandparents, Mildred Chesbro, Carl and Kay Brinks; fiance, Jonathan Fland; many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Charles Chesbro and great-grandma VanderWal. The family will greet friends Thursday, December 10^th from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Rick Miller officiating. Interment with full military honors by the U.S. Marines at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sand Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

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