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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

Josephine M. Avery, age 92, of Cedar Springs, died Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at her home. Mrs. Avery was born October 16, 1925 in Spencer Township, Michigan the daughter of George and Inga (Jensen) Weinrich. She was very hard working and independent. She had worked at Gibsons, Michigan Chair and Wolverine World Wide. She enjoyed farm living and loved animals and horses. Surviving are her children, Bruce (Benita Ringler), Avery, Jodine (Randall) Casebeer, Peter Avery; 9 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Marvin Weinrich; sisters, Edna Clingan, Sandy Volpe, Blanche Christie; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse in 1998; sister, Anabelle (Bill) Sevey; brother, Harold (Inez) Weinrich; brother-in-law, Dick Clingan. The family greeted friends Friday, September 14 from noon until time of service at 1:00 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Interment East Nelson Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Carol’s Ferals or Spectrum Health Hospice.

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

Elsie May (Condon) Waller, age 82, of Cedar Springs, passed away peacefully, Sunday, September 2, 2018 at Mercy Health – St. Mary’s surrounded by her family. Elsie was born July 28, 1936 in Lowell, Michigan the daughter of Boyd and Jeanne (McFarland) Condon. Elsie was a longtime collector of Avon and Precious Moments. She enjoyed her flowers, craft shows, flea markets and time spent with family sitting around (and playing) with the fire at the cabin. She and her husband Bob were able to travel all over the country including Alaska and several trips to Yellowstone National Park. They were able to winter in Florida where they made lifelong friends from all over the country. Elsie was incredibly proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed every minute spent with her family. They loved attending parades and events with the car club, of which they have been members for many years. Elsie was very much loved by her family and many friends and is already missed by all. Surviving are her husband of 63 years, Robert; sons, Gene (Barb) Waller, Gordon (Lauri) Waller; grandchildren, Jessica Waller (RJ), Andrea Edrington, Jackie Slocum (Justin), Amy Hutchinson (Adam); great-grandchildren, Ashley, Brady, Melanie, Brody, Peyton and Evan; sister, Sharon Cramer; sisters-in-law, Ethel Ergang and Helen (Bud) Gambee; special friend, Nancy Norman. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Boyd Condon Jr. The family will greet friends Thursday, September 6 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Friday 11:00 a.m. Pastor Bill Johnson officiating. Interment East Nelson Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Health – St. Mary’s Critical Care Unit.

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

Jerry L. Cadaret, 79 of Kentwood, died Sunday, July 30, 2017. Jerry was born May 16, 1938 in Toledo, Ohio the son of Paul and Ona (Lydick) Cadaret. He graduated from Godwin High School and served his country in the U.S. Army from 1959 – 61. He worked for A.J. Sparks Belting and was a member of the East Nelson United Methodist Church and a life member of the Doric Masonic Lodge, Grand Rapids. Jerry enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, traveling and camping. He was a hard worker and always put his family first. Surviving is the love of his life, Shirley (Tisdel) whom he married on June 2, 1961; children, Brenda (Tom) Voisin, Beverly (Roger) Carlson, Jeremy Cadaret and Susanne Aldridge; grandchildren, Cathleen Honeysette, Kenneth (Emily) Mol, Benjamin (Olivia) Mol, Christen (Chris) Chapin, Jacob (Lindsey) Mol, Timothy Mol and Christina Dean, Mackenzie Cadaret and William Ball; great-grandchildren, Reece, Randal, Brooklynn, Emma, Grayson, Ethan, Zachary, Autumn and baby Lucas on the way. The family received friends Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Thursday 11:00 a.m. Visitation Thursday from 10 – 11 a.m. Pastor Inge Whittemore officiating. Interment East Nelson Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to East Nelson United Methodist Church.

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

This photo shows Roger Allen walking the Avenue of Flags at Elmwood Cemetery in 2003. Photo by L. Allen.

Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor those that gave their lives while defending our country. It’s also a day to remember all those that have served and are now deceased. Inside this issue are the names of veterans buried in area cemeteries, and we honor them with this issue of The Cedar Springs Post, click here to download. If you know of a veteran’s name that is missing from the list, please let us know and we’ll add them for next year.

There will be several memorial activities and ceremonies taking place this weekend that residents are encouraged to take part in:

The Cedar Springs Historical Society will hold its 17^th annual Memorial Cemetery Walk on Sunday, May 28, at 2 p.m. to honor veterans of all wars. This year’s veterans will be Samuel Andrus, Civil War; Burton Smith, Spanish/American War; Leon Marsh, World War I; Neal Mackey, World War II; James Remington, Korean War; John Gardell, Vietnam War. Biographical and historical information will be presented at each gravesite. The Glen Hill Post of the American Legion honor guard will assist at the presentation. We will leave from the museum in Morley Park at 1:30 pm and return there for refreshments. In case of severe weather warnings we will cancel the event. In case of rain we will do the presentation in the museum.

The American Legion Glen Hill Post #287 in Cedar Springs will hold their annual Memorial Day program on Monday, May 29. They will be at Elmwood Cemetery at 9 a.m., Solon Cemetery at 10 a.m., East Nelson Cemetery at 10:45 a.m., and Veterans Memorial Park, (corner of Main and Oak in Cedar Springs) at 11:30 a.m. In case of bad weather, services will be held only in the American Legion Hall at 9 a.m. Lt/Col. Tom Noreen will be the speaker.

The Algoma Township Historical Society will hold Memorial Day services on Monday, May 29, at 1:00 p.m. at Algoma Township Memorial Park, located on the south end of the Algoma township cemetery on Grange Ave., south of 13 Mile Rd.) The service this year will honor Algoma Township’s WWI veterans, in memory of the 100-year anniversary. There will be music, readings, 21-gun salute and taps. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served by the Algoma Township Historical Society.

The Sand Lake/Cedar Springs Tri-Corner Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7912 will have ceremonies on Monday, May 29. They will be at the VFW Post in Sand Lake at 10:30 a.m. and at Pierson Cemetery at 11 a.m. Rain or shine. The Tri County Band will also be at Pierson Cemetery.

The Sparta Township Historical Commission will hold their Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 29, at 10:30 a.m. at Lamoreaux Memorial Park, 150 Park St, in Sparta. The speaker will be Dwight Anderson, Sparta High School Class of 1970 and former SHS principal. The Sparta High School Band will perform under the direction of Jim Walsh. The Kent County Sheriff Color Guard will also be in attendance. There will be a dedication of the John Paul “Sharkey” Badgerow Memorial Bench. Immediately following the ceremony, the Michigan Memorial Wall will be displayed for the balance of the day.

Carol A. Phelps age 80 of Cedar Springs, passed away Sunday, February 5, 2017 at her home. Carol was born June 30, 1936 in Paw Paw Township, Michigan the daughter of Bernard and Maude (Sirrine) Schidt. She served as Nelson Township Clerk for many years. She loved the Lord and serving in church, most recently, North Kent Community Church. Surviving are her children, Debra Austin and Todd Phelps; grandchildren, Shawn (Katy) Austin, Troy (Kendra) Austin, Brandon Austin; six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Phelps. Services were held Wednesday, February 8th at North Kent Community Church, 1480 Indian Lakes Road NE, Sparta. Pastor Craig Carter officiating. Interment in the spring in East Nelson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to pay it forward with an act of kindness.

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

Edith E. Tisdel, 99, of Cedar Springs, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Porter Hills. Mrs. Tisdel was born May 7, 1916 in Cedar Springs, Michigan, the daughter of Lavern and Muriel (Lincoln) Hatch. She had been a member of the East Nelson United Methodist Church, the Spencer Mills Ladies Aid and a lifetime member of the Eastern Stars. She enjoyed making cakes for all family events, homemade bread and scubbies and going to the lake in the summer. Surviving are her daughters, Shirley (Jerry) Cadaret, Sharon (Don) Hopwood; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; one niece and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband, C. Wayne Tisdel in 1999; brother, Matthew Hatch and a great grandson. The family greeted friends Friday, March 18 from 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service was held Saturday at 2:00 pm. Pastors Herb VanderBilt and Chuck Smith officiating. Interment East Nelson Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to East Nelson United Methodist Church.

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

Lela R. Spicer, 87, of Traverse City, formerly of Cedar Springs, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions with her family by her side. Mrs. Spicer was born August 18, 1928 in Barryton, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph and Edith (Adams) VanSyckle, she was one of 17 children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard in 1988 and a son, Danny in 2015. Surviving are her children, Patty (Steven) Osburn, Bruce (Rose) Spicer, Roger (Pat) Spicer, Debra VandenHeuvel, Rockland (Teresa) Spicer, Theodore (Tracy) Spicer, Gail (Dave) Spicer; countless beautiful and gorgeous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. A private family graveside service was held at East Nelson Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Larry and Debbie Eadie sang and led the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimers Association.

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

Thorval “Bo” Nielsen, 81 of Cedar Springs, died Friday, August 7, 2015 at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Bo was born September 29, 1933 in Cedar Springs, Michigan, the son of Vern and Lillian (Pritchard) Nielsen. He graduated from Cedar Springs High School and attended Davenport College. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Bo attended the East Nelson United Methodist Church, was a member at the Cedar Springs Historical Society and active at the Museum, the Cedar Springs American Legion, and a lifetime member and very active in the Red Flannel Rod and Gun Club. He was a lifetime builder in the Cedar Springs area, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and loved his family and spending time with his sons. Surviving are his wife, Sharon (Buchholz) whom he married on December 6, 1958; sons, Brian (Deborah), Alan (Rhonda); grandchildren, Ryan (Molly), Lauren (Will) Buttars; great grandchildren, Kendall and Mason; brothers, JC, Walter (Helen), Ivan (Phyllis), Eugene (Shirley); sisters, Nina Middleton, Karen (Leonard) Deyman; in-laws, Otto (Marion) Buchholz, Alvin (Patricia) Buchholz, Joyce (Richard) Johnson, Lois Garvey; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother; one sister; and one brother-in-law. The family greeted friends Tuesday, August 11 from 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service was held Wednesday 11:00 am. Pastor Herb VanderBilt officiating. Interment with military honors at East Nelson Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033.

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

Heather Wolfe, 47 of Cedar Springs, passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at home surrounded by her family. Heather was born August 2, 1967 in Greenville, Michigan, the daughter of Donald and Lynne (Grannis) Zank. She enjoyed being a wife, mother, working on the farm, raising calves and being a 4H Mom. She had worked for Cedar Springs Public Schools Food Service and Latch-Key Child Care for 16 years. She was very involved in East Nelson United Methodist Church and had been Treasurer, a Trustee and President of the Women’s Group. We will all miss her smile, infectious laugh and positive spirit. She will be a bright ray of sunshine from Heaven. Surviving are her husband, David; children, Brandon (Ashley), Bayley, Brock; stepchildren, Nathan (Lynette), Jessica, April; grandchildren, Carter, Brynlee, Dawson, Felix, Alexis; mother, Lynne Zank; sister, Heidi (Steve) Reed; brother, Hod (Kris) Zank; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father. The family greeted friends Sunday, Dec. 28 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where services were held Monday, Dec. 29. Pastor Herb VanderBilt officiating. Interment East Nelson Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Tri-County Country 4H or Celebrate Recovery at Blythefield Hills Baptist Church.

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