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Colen Clem Cole age 73 of Cedar Springs, died Tuesday, October 30, 2018 after a long illness with Dementia/Alzheimers disease. Colen was born April 14, 1945 in Greenville, MI the son of Clem and Rose (Nelson) Cole. He graduated from Cedar Springs High School in 1963 and married his high school sweetheart on August 20, 1965. Together they shared 53 years of marriage. He served proudly in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War Era from 1966-68. He enjoyed the outdoors sporting life: hunting, fishing, boating, snowmobiling and riding his quad around his farm with his dog, Little Joe. He loved best being in the big woods and observing nature. Colen owned and operated United Riggers and Erectors Company, Inc., a construction company in Grand Rapids since 1974. Surviving are his wife, Nancy (Tisdel) Cole; son, Calvin (Carolynn) Cole; granddaughters, Laurynn and Allison; sisters, Marion (Richard) Morris, Marieta (William) Peterson; nephews, Dirk, Bill, Brent; niece, Tresa. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, Victor Tisdel and Leon Dennis. Visitation will be held Saturday from 11:00 am until time of service at 12:00 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment with military honors will take place at East Nelson Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to East Nelson United Methodist Church.

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

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.

Bob W. Rosenberger Sr., 78 of Cedar Springs, died Thursday, June 22, 2017 at his home. He was born August 2, 1938 in Sparta, Michigan the son of Jacob and Dorothy (Call) Rosenberger. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served in the U.S. Army for 22 years. His family was very important and first in his life. He could build or fix anything and was always there for others. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners. Surviving are his children, Bob (Mary) Rosenberger, Debra (Mike) Hage, Mark (Lynne) Rosenberger, Paul (Laine) Rosenberger, Cathy (Dan) Wiginton, Sondra Walker, Terry (Trudy) Wendt, Mary (Don) Wojtowicz, Ryan (Nancy) Wendt; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, Melvin Rosenberger, Jim (Betty) McDonald; sister, Beatrice Singleton; sister-in-law, Judy Rosenberger. He was preceded in death by five brothers and one sister. A memorial service was held Tuesday, June 27^th at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Interment Idlewild Cemetery, Kent City. Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Michigan Veterans Home or the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

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

James J. Patin 67 of Sand Lake, died Saturday, April 8, 2017 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Jim was born March 29, 1950 in Cedar Springs, Michigan the son of Joseph and Ruth (Horter) Patin. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and had worked at Knape & Vogt for 41 years retiring 2013. He was a member of the Wolverine Skyhawks and enjoyed taking motorcycle trips. Surviving are his wife, Sandra; children, Melissa Patin, Jim (April) Patin, Gina (Craig) Dillon, Matt Patin, Becky (Rob) Baker, Jill Patin, Collin (Michelle) Patin; 20 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Donald (Maureen) Patin; sisters, Catherine Patin, Marie Patin, Patricia Patin, Gerri (Ralph) VanOcker, RoseAnn Patin; mother-in-law, Helen Beebe; many nieces and nephews and his dog, Teddy. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Mark. The family greeted friends Tuesday at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday at Mary Queen of Apostles, Sand Lake. Rev. Fr. Lam Le celebrant. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery.

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.

Mr. Gary Lee VanSchuur, of Cedar Springs, Michigan, age 66, passed away on the afternoon of Monday, March 21, 2016, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family. Gary was born to Gerrit and Leona Marie (Beduhn) VanSchuur on Sunday, September 11, 1949, in Sparta, Michigan, and had been a lifelong resident of the area. As a truehearted patriot, Gary proudly and courageously served his flag and country in the United States Army, fighting in the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge, he worked for the Farm Bureau of Kent City and then as a supervisor for Knoll Furniture until his retirement in 2008. Gary enjoyed the simple things in life— he was a great Michigan outdoorsman who loved to go deer hunting, and as a farmer, Gary loved working the land. He was also a very talented woodworker, crafting many things with his parents in their woodshop. Family was everything to Gary. He was a loving and devoted husband, wonderful father, proud grandfather, and dear brother and friend. He cherished every family get-together, being with his grandchildren whenever he could, and he especially loved taking them for rides on the Gator. Gary is survived by his beloved wife Sharon (Fisk); loving children, MaryAnn (K.J.) Decker and Keith (Laura) Goltz, Sr.; adored grandchildren, Whitney (fiance Cory Wimmer) Decker, Hailey Decker, Devon Cole, Keith Goltz, Jr., Abby Goltz, and Kaylee Goltz; mother Marie VanSchuur; sister Janice; brother-in-law Carl; father and mother-in-law James and Shirley Fisk; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim (Annetta) and Ruth (Stan); and numerous nieces, nephews, and other beloved members of the VanSchuur and Fisk families. He was preceded in death by his father, Gerrit; and brother-in-law Steve. There will be a time of visitation from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2016, at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341. The funeral service for Gary will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 25, 2016, at Pederson Funeral Home. Pastor Rick Miller will be officiating. Under the auspices of the Kent County Veteran’s Honor Guard and the United States Army, full military honors will be conducted. Gary will be laid to rest in Crandall Cemetery, Ensley Township, Michigan.

Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

Spc. Samuel Andres received a Purple Heart and other medals in a recent ceremony. Pictured left to right: Nick Andres, Mary Andres, Spc. Samuel Andres, Rep. Justin Amash, Michele (Andres) Krick, and Andrea (Andres) Lisagor.

Rep. Justin Amash presented six medals, including the Purple Heart, to retired Army Specialist Samuel N. Andres at a ceremony held at Kent County Veterans Services on Wednesday, October 14.

Spc. Andres is a veteran of the Vietnam War. On Friday, September 13, 1968, Andres and his four-man squad were attacked while on night patrol south of Pleiku. Over the course of the nearly hour-long firefight, Andres was struck by two bullets, sustaining injuries to his right leg. On the request and with the assistance of Andres’s family, including his wife Mary, the United States Army approved Spc. Andres’s medals, including the Purple Heart, in May 2015.

Children of Spc. Andres include Nicholas (Nick) Andres, of Cedar Springs; Michele(Andres) Krick, and Andrea (Andres) Lisagor, both living in Greenville, and Eric Andres, deceased in 2009.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States. First issued under the administration of George Washington, this prestigious award signifies that, as the result of hostile actions, the recipient was wounded or killed while actively serving our country in the United States Armed Forces.

Albert G. Heeringa, Jr. (Sparky Harris), 65, of Sand Lake, died Friday, September 18, 2015 at his home. He was born October 1, 1949 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Albert and Mildred (Winright) Heeringa. He lived and breathed music and was a musician all of his life. In 1969 during the Vietnam War he joined the USO for 16 months playing music for the troops. He graduated from Ferris State University with a mechanical engineering degree. He had worked for Klise Manufacturing for eight years and enjoyed wood craftsmanship as a hobby. Surviving is the love of his life for the past 26 years, Nina Marcinowski; sons, Buddy (Kat) Heeringa; Mike (Kelly) Garza; daughter, Bonnie Aguilar; many grandchildren; brother, Denny (Kathleen) Heeringa; sister, Gail (Tom) Szotco. He as preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service and luncheon will start at 12 noon on Wednesday, September 30, at the Cedar Springs American Legion Post #287, 91 First Street, and will continue with music through the day until 7:00 pm. Interment will take place later at Oakwood Cemetery, Lowell.

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

Thomas P. Bearss, 67 of Grand Rapids, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 13, 2014 at his home. Our loss is heaven’s gain. Tom was born May 6, 1946 in Grayling, Michigan the son Henry and Lyndall (Yeager) Bearss. He graduated from Cedar Springs High School, Class of 1964, served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and was a Kent County Sheriff Deputy for 28 years retiring in 1995. He was a member of Rockford Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Evelyn (Loveless); children, Ginger (Bearss) Schaefer, Eric (Angela) Bearss; grandchildren, Mya, Rylan, Aubrey and Isaac; sister, Lois Goodell. The family will greet friends Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 10:00 am until time of memorial service at 11:00 am at Rockford Baptist Church, 221 Courtland St., Rockford. Pastor Larry D. Rowland officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Interment in the spring at Courtland Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Rockford Baptist Church.

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