Joseph Franklin Watson Sr. “Joe or Pappy”, age 82 of Cedar Springs, passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at Metron of Cedar Springs. Joe was born September 6, 1934 in Lexington, Virginia, the son of James and Melinda (McCormick) Watson. Joe served 10 years in the United States Air Force and 10 years in the Michigan National Guard. During his time served, Joe played minor league baseball for the Air Force. Joe had a heart for coaching and umpiring for the Little, Pony and Silver Baseball Leagues. Joe was a founding member of Cedar Springs Amateur Athletic Association, member of the Roundtable Coffee Drinkers, a Keystone Kop, and was the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Red Flannel Parade. Joe considered his greatest life achievement being a grandparent to 14 grandchildren. Surviving are his beloved wife, Florence E. (Clark) Watson; children, Joseph Michael Grove of Virginia, JeDonne (Jerry) Morton, Joseph (Connie) Watson Jr., Kelli Watson, Charlie (Ladonna) Watson, Merri (Rich) Moore; grandchildren, Steven, Megan, Hollie, Nick, Jake, Jeff, Chris, Mandi, Charli Anne, Ashley, Ricky, Elizabeth, Erin and Carlee; great grandchild, Addison; brother-in-law, Virgil R. (Sandie) James; sister-in-law, Mary Ellen (Melvin) Cole; brother-in-law, J. Thomas Bundy; many nephews, nieces and cousins who he adored; and friends that he loved as family. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Mayhlon James “Tarzan” Watson, James Alexander Watson, Geraldine “Binky” Bundy, and Margarite “Moe” Sweeney; Nephew, James Alexander “Butch” Watson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles O. and Mary (Caverly) Clark; brother-in-law, Herman O. Clark; and sisters-in-law, Maxine M. (Clark) Manteufel and Alice J. (Clark) Haubenstricker. The family will receive friends Saturday at 10 a.m. until time of service at 11a.m. at Solon Center Wesleyan Church, 15671 Algoma Ave. N.E., Cedar Springs, Pastor Larry Young officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Cedar Springs Veterans Park Fund.

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

Donald W. Reed, Sr. age 88, of Sparta, passed away peacefully at his home, on Thursday, May 18, 2017 with family at his side. He served his country during Korea, in the U.S. Army. He was a life member of the Sparta American Legion Post 107, which he served as president, service officer, commander, sergeant at arms, as well as served in the color guard. Don was a founding member of the Sparta Hunting and Fishing Club, where he served as president, was a lifetime board member, and was the master chef for the turkey shoots. He was one of the Dirty Dingus gang members and was honored in 2014 to be the Grand Marshal of the Sparta Town and Country Parade. He was a coach, trail boss, friend, dad and husband. He loved snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, racing, music, being with family and friends, and going to the casino with his wife, Barb. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 35 years, Artha A. Reed; brother, Richard “Dick” and Joan Reed; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Tobey, and Donald Davis. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Barbara J. Reed; his children, Cynthia Reed, Vicki and Chuck Myers, Jacalyn Barbour, Robin Moore, Brenda and Joe Nichols, Donald “Buck” Reed, John and Ana Endres, Janice Reed; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Jeanette Tobey; in laws, Lynn and Joyce Lewis, Gerri and Ron Urbanski, Jill Davis, Alan and Winnie Spencer; his best friend and hunting buddy, Robert “Bob” Anderson; many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank God, prayer, the medical teams, Heartland Hospice, and all the friends and family who helped us through this journey. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 23, 12:00 p.m. at the Sparta United Methodist Church with Rev. Lou Grettenberger officiating. Military Honors by the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Sparta Hunting and Fishing Club, in which he took special pride.

Arrangements by Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home, Sparta

Tom Anderson will be the 2017 Grand Marshal of the Red Flannel Festival. Courtesy photo.

By Judy Reed 

The Red Flannel Festival board of directors has chosen Thomas Anderson, a long time Cedar Springs attorney, as the 2017 Grand Marshal for the 78^th annual Red Flannel Festival.

Tom, who is now 82, was born in Grand Rapids, but raised in northern Kent County. He graduated high school from St. Patrick’s, in Parnell, Michigan, which is in Grattan Township. His father was an attorney in Rockford, and Tom decided to open up an office in Cedar Springs. “I knew my father got a lot of business from Cedar Springs, so I thought it would be a good idea,” he explained.

And it was. He opened up his office here in 1961, and continued working until he sold it in 2011—50 years later. During that time, he worked as Cedar Springs City attorney for many years, served as Kent City’s attorney for 30 years, and was attorney for the Village of Morley.

In 1963, Tom began announcing the Red Flannel Parade, and continued through 1990.

In 1962 he became a Rotarian, and has been one now for 55 years. Most years you can find him working at the Rotary Chicken BBQ on Red Flannel Day.

How does Tom feel about being selected as Grand Marshal? “I was surprised,” he said. “I guess it’s a good thing. I thought they had forgotten me.”

Not by a long shot.

“The Festival is extremely proud and thankful for the many years of Tom’s outstanding dedication to the Cedar Springs community,” said Randy VanDuyn, President of the Festival. “It’s very obvious Tom loves the Red Flannel Town, and especially the Red Flannel Festival! The Red Flannel Town is a better place because of his involvement and extraordinary volunteerism!”

Tom’s family also has close ties to Cedar Springs and Red Flannel. His wife, Jean, taught at Cedar Springs Public Schools for 30 years. And the couple’s three children all went to Tri County High School, participated in band all four years, and all marched in the Red Flannel parades.

This year’s Red Flannel Festival weekends will be September 30 and October 7. Anderson will reign this year, the Festival’s 78^th, over the two weekends of the 15th oldest Festival in the state of Michigan, sharing the Red Flannel warmth of our community to visitors and residents.

Red Flannel Queen Mumina Ciise (left) is shown here on Red Flannel Day with Grand Marshal and Library Director Donna Clark, and court members Kaley Louck and Madison Case. Photo courtesy of the Red Flannel Festival.

By Judy Reed

For Mumina Ciise, being chosen as the 2016 Red Flannel Queen is a dream come true. And not all that long ago, this special event would never have seemed possible for Mumina or her family—a family that was just struggling to stay safe in war torn Somalia.

Mumina’s parents, Max and Maryan, fled Somalia with their seven children, due to civil war, when Mumina was only three-years-old. They arrived in Cedar Springs in 2010, and moved into a two-bedroom apartment. The community welcomed them, and helped them realize the dream of owning their home, through the Inner City Christian Federation. Mumina was thankful to be chosen to represent the Red Flannel Festival as queen. She hopes to one day become a teacher and teach at Cedar Springs High School.

Grand Marshal

Longtime resident and Library Director Donna Clark was chosen as Grand Marshal for the 2016 Red Flannel Festival. The Festival chose Donna due to her many years of selfless service and outstanding dedication to the community through both the library and several service organizations. “The Red Flannel Town is truly a better place because of her exceptional community involvement and extraordinary volunteerism!” said former RFF president Michele Tracy.

RFF President

In other Red Flannel news, Michele Tracy stepped down as President after 15 years, and assumed the role of president emeritus, a non-voting member of the board. Tracy moved to Hershey, Pennysylvania this year to work for Penn State University’s Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Taking over as president of the RFF was Randy VanDuyn, husband of Cedar Springs Schools Superintendent Dr. Laura VanDuyn.

Cedar Springs resident Shirley Merlington has been named the 2015 Grand Marshal for the 76th Annual Celebration

By Judy Reed

The Red Flannel Festival Board of Directors proudly named Cedar Springs resident Shirley Merlington as the 2015 Grand Marshal for the 76th Annual Celebration, to be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015.

“The Festival is extremely proud and thankful for the many years of Shirley’s outstanding dedication to the Cedar Springs community,” said Michele Tracy, President of the Festival.

Shirley was shocked when she found out the board had selected her. “I was really surprised,” she said. “It never entered my mind.”

Shirley was born in Cedar Springs, at a house on Beech Street. She went to Cedar Springs Public Schools until 3rd grade, when her family moved to Sand Lake. She graduated high school there, and met her future husband there, Ronny Merlington. Shirley and Ronny settled in Cedar Springs after he graduated from Michigan State. “I’ve been in the same house in Cedar Springs for 48 years now,” she said.

Shirley served as Executive Director of the Red Flannel Festival from 1990 to 2003. She also served as Director of the Cedar Springs Chamber of Commerce for 12 years, served on the Cedar Springs Board of Education, the Cedar Springs Women’s Club and was 5th District President of American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. “For 25-30 years I’ve been involved in everything in Cedar Springs,” remarked Shirley. Other positions she’s served in include the Board of Review, the DDA, the Elections Commission, and the Selective Service board. At age 77, she is still active in the Legion Auxiliary and has been for 34 years.

“It’s very obvious Shirley loves the Red Flannel Town, and especially the Red Flannel Festival! Her connection to Festival Founders Grace Hamilton and Nina Babcock is very special to us. The Red Flannel Town is a better place because of her involvement and extraordinary volunteerism!” said Tracy.

Shirley said it’s true that she loves Cedar Springs. “I love it! I love the Red Flannel Festival, and look forward to it every year. We usually have company. It’s always been thrilling to me. Ronny and I were both proud to be involved in it all of these years,” she remarked. “We couldn’t ask for a better town to live in.” Ronny was also a Grand Marshal several years ago.

Shirley will reign this year, the Festival’s 76th, over the two weekends of the 15th oldest Festival in the state of Michigan, sharing the Red Flannel warmth of our community with visitors and residents.

John Teusink

The Red Flannel Festival Board of Directors proudly named Cedar Springs resident John Teusink as the 2014 Grand Marshal for the 75th Diamond Anniversary Annual Celebration, to be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014.

“I consider this a great honor,” remarked Teusink. “It’s the greatest honor I’ve ever had.”

“The Festival is extremely proud and thankful for the many years of John’s outstanding dedication to the Cedar Springs community,” said Michele Tracy-Andres, President of the Festival.

Teusink, 73, has lived in Cedar Springs all his life, and came by his service to the community naturally. He is the son of Dr. James (J.) Harvey Teusink and his wife Dorothy, both deceased. Dr. Teusink was a well-known doctor for many years in Cedar Springs and also served on the school board for many years. Dorothy was the first woman mayor in Cedar Springs back in the 1960s.

Teusink grew up here in town with his older brother Jack, now deceased, and his sister, Nancy Jackson, who still lives on Beech Street. He graduated in 1958 from Cedar Springs High School, which was then at Hilltop. Afterward he attended Hope College and graduated in 1962, and later earned two masters degrees in Biology—one from Central Michigan University, and one from Syracuse University. He then taught in Florida for a time, then returned home and taught at Forest Hills for six years, before moving on to Aquinas, where he taught for 32 years. In January of 1962 he retired after having a heart attack.

John was elected to the Cedar Springs City Council in November 1976, and served for 32 years, with 19 of those years as a mayor. During his time as Mayor, he married 175 couples. “I had the cheapest rate in town,” he said with a chuckle. He recalled that when he asked one couple for their marriage license, the man pulled out a fishing license. “That wouldn’t work,” he remarked. Teusink retired from the Council in 2008.

Teusink also served on the Library Board and was a member of the Cedar Springs Community Players. Mayor Linda Hunt presented him with a framed declaration proclaiming December 11, 2008 as John Teusink Day in Cedar Springs.

Teusink said his family was very good friends with Red Flannel founders Grace Hamilton and Nina Babcock.

“It’s very obvious John loves The Red Flannel Town and especially the Red Flannel Festival,” said Andres. “His connection to Festival Founders, Grace Hamilton and Nina Babcock is very special to us. The Red Flannel Town is a better place because of his involvement.”

Teusink will reign this year, the Festival’s 75th Diamond Anniversary over the two weekends of the 15th oldest Festival in the state of Michigan, sharing the Red Flannel warmth of our community with visitors and residents.

The Red Flannel Festival Board of Directors is seeking nominations for a Grand Marshal—or a couple to serve as Grand Marshals—for the 75th annual Red Flannel Festival. Since the 1980’s, board members have chosen Grand Marshals for Cedar Springs’ signature event in October. Citizens are encouraged to write a nomination letter suggesting a person or couple to receive this year’s honor.

If you know someone you would like to see honored this way, please submit their names, address and phone number and include a brief summary of that individual’s or couple’s contribution to the Red Flannel Festival and Cedar Springs area—and specifically volunteerism to the Red Flannel Festival.

Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Jan. 27 to the RFF Office, P.O. Box 43, Cedar Springs, 49319 or emailed to president@redflannelfestival.org. The Festival Board will choose the 2014 Grand Marshal at its January meeting.

The RFF Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 pm at the RFF Office, 21 E. Maple Street. All interested in volunteering are welcome!

We buttoned down the hatches for this year of Red Flannels.

First of all I want to say thanks to the Festival Committee for choosing me this year. I was enlightened as to just how much work is done by all of you special people. The many man hours that goes into making this successful is enormous, but you did it. I think that this year’s crowds outdid themselves, wall to wall people everywhere! Wonderful! God’s blessings were upon us that warm beautiful day.

A sleek black convertible to ride in was by Ed Koehn and again thanks for the pleasure.

All the community businesses did extend to all those that came a warm welcome and they will return again. As this is the Red Flannel Town as it was when The Clipper Gals started in the 1930s and it will be forever known as that! We need all of your help to get our Red Flannels back on our street signs for all the world to see, because you people are that Red Flannel Town and we need to restore that again. I know you will put those here to support it.

I want to thank my American Legion Family also for their support of me and the Festival. May we all come together with love and prayers. Also thanks to my great family for all their help!

Mary Goller Kilts, Grand Marshall 2013

Mary Goller-Kilts – 2013 Grand Marshal

As a young newlywed whose husband worked for the Clipper girls, Mary Goller-Kilts could not have imagined that she would one day be Grand Marshal for the festival they made possible. She will be 81 in six weeks.

“I was initially very surprised,” she said, about finding out she had been voted in as the 2013 Grand Marshal. “I didn’t think I was deserving.”

But she couldn’t be more wrong. “The Festival is extremely proud and thankful for the many years of Mary’s outstanding dedication to the entire Cedar Springs community,” said Michele Tracy-Andres, President of the Festival. “Her outstanding community service in several organizations is very impressive and exactly what we look for in a Red Flannel Festival Grand Marshal. It’s very obvious Mary loves Cedar Springs and especially the Red Flannel Festival! Her connection to Festival Founders, Grace Hamilton and Nina Babcock is very special to us. The Red Flannel Town is a better place because of her involvement.”

Mary grew up in Grand Rapids. When she was 8 years old her father passed away, and when she was 12, in 1945, her mother died. She had an older sister who was 16 and stayed with relatives, and Mary went to St. John’s Catholic orphanage and attended Catholic Central High School. She graduated from cosmetology school in 1949.

She met her future husband, Oscar Goller, a veteran, when he took some girls dancing in Grand Rapids in 1951. She was 18 years old. “It was a whirlwind romance,” she recalled. She moved here to Cedar Springs in February 1951, turned 19 in April, and was married by June. Oscar worked for the Clipper Girls—Grace Hamilton and Nina Babcock—as a linotypist, and the couple rented an apartment from them for a time. Grace, who was also a real estate agent, soon found the couple a house—the one Mary still lives in—near Cedar Springs High School, for $2,800. “We were very close to Grace and Nina,” remarked Mary. “They were very affectionate people.” Mary said she would go into the office and help clean up, and would help out the festival by handing out flyers to the merchants. She also got to meet Jerry Ford, our future president, who used to attend the Festivals. “That was exciting,” she said.

Professionally, Mary worked for both Modern Cleaners here in Cedar Springs and Uptown Cleaners in Grand Rapids. When Tom Cooper, her former manager at Uptown, bought Modern Cleaners, he asked her to return here and manage it. She retired at age 73 after 52 years in the dry cleaning business.

In 1973, she also found a love for volunteering with the American Legion Auxiliary. “I joined for the vets and for the children,” she explained. Mary has served in several different roles in the Auxiliary, including state president. She is currently Unit 287 Chaplain and Membership Chairman, Girls State Chairman, Education Chairman, and Funeral Luncheon Chairman. But her heart is in the Salon of the 8/40 in northern Kent County, an auxiliary organization she founded that is committed to fundraising and scholarships for respiratory diseases in children. The money raised goes to National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

“I went and visited and saw the great work they do there,” she noted. Mary said their Salon has grown to 44 partners that also make ditty bags for the kids at DeVos Children’s Hospital. “I feel this work for children is the most important thing in my life,” she said.

Mary and Oscar adopted two children, Addie and Oscar Alan. Mary now has three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She and Oscar were married for 45 years.

Two years after Oscar died, Mary met Don Kilts, also a veteran and a widower. They married in 1998, and were married just under 10 years, when he passed away. Since then, she’s kept very busy in her volunteer work.

Throughout her life, Mary has always promoted Red Flannels, both personally and through the American Legion, and finally has the opportunity to do it in a highly visible way—as Grand Marshal of the 2013 Festival.

“It is with a humble heart I accept to serve as Grand Marshal for this coming year 2013,” she said. “Rest assured that I will continue to promote our town, flannels and its great people in memory of the founders of our Red Flannel Town, Grace Hamilton and Nina Babcock.”

Joe Watson and his wife Florence.

The Red Flannel Festival Board of Directors proudly named Cedar Springs resident Joe Watson, Sr. as the 2012 Grand Marshal for the 73rd Annual Celebration, to be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012.

Watson, 77, moved to Cedar Springs in 1963. He was raised in Virginia, and served in the military in North Carolina before moving here. He and his wife, Florence, have been married 54 years and raised five children: Jedonne, Joseph Jr., Charlie, Kelli and Merri. All graduated from Cedar Springs High School.

“The Festival is extremely proud and thankful for the many years of Mr. Watson’s outstanding dedication to the entire Cedar Springs community,” said Michele Tracy-Andres, President of the Festival. “His outstanding community service in several organizations is very impressive and exactly what we look for in a Red Flannel Festival Grand Marshal. It’s very obvious Joe loves Cedar Springs and especially the Red Flannel Festival! The Red Flannel Town is a better place because of Joe’s involvement.”

Watson has been a leader in the community, volunteering his time to several organizations coaching youth sports and was one of the founding members of the Cedar Springs Athletic Association (created for youth athletics) prior to the formation of the Athletic Boosters. He supported the Festival for several years with his dedicated service as a Keystone Kop and Grand Parade Organizer.

Watson said he is excited to serve and honored to be chosen. “I think it’s a nice gesture,” he remarked. “I was very surprised.”

Mr. Watson and his wife Florence will reign over the two weekends of the 15th oldest Festival in the state of Michigan, sharing the Red Flannel warmth of our community to visitors and residents.

Dear Editor,
Lolly and I have been vacationing in Zimbabwe the past two weeks. We have been reflecting on what a fantastic time we had representing the Red Flannel Festival as Grand Marshal. We would like to thank the Red Flannel board for such a wonderful experience.
We started with the Prince and Princess pageant. The pageant committee did a great job organizing everything, plus controlling 55 kindergarteners. The Saturday before Red Flannel Day, we spent a lot of time attending functions with Tinsley, Kayla and Samantha. They did an outstanding job of handling themselves under all situations. Their time with the kids in the Prince and Princess pageant and children’s parade was especially rewarding. The 5K run had perfect weather, cool and little wind. In the afternoon it warmed up for the bed races and children’s parade. Way to go Choice One! We stopped by Cedar Pub to smell the chili and watch the horseshoe contest.
We had a wonderful meal at the Lion’s Club lumberjack supper and visited with many friends. At the queen pageant we sat directly behind Tranaya’s family. What a wonderful moment for her and her family. Good luck to Tranaya, Kaitlyn, and Esther in the upcoming year.
Red Flannel Day started early with flag raising. We had a nice flapjack breakfast, followed by arts and crafts fair, car show Celtic highlander games, marketplace, and marching band competition. We never would have completed everything without the golf cart. Finally the parade itself. The weather was perfect. What an amazing experience seeing so many familiar faces. As we turned the corner under the traffic light, all we could see was red! We want to give a special thanks to Jim and Linda Babylon for providing us a ride in their yellow 1969 Camaro convertible.
Thank you, people of Cedar Springs, for providing two weekends we will never forget.

Gary and Lolly Gust, Nelson Township

ChoiceOne Bank Director Gary Gust, of Gust Construction, was honored when he was selected as the Grand Marshal of the Cedar Springs Red Flannel Festival which took place Saturday, October 1.
Each year, the Red Flannel Festival Board of Directors solicits nominations from the entire community for the prestigious title of “Grand Marshal” of the Red Flannel Festival. The Grand Marshal presides over the entire Festival, attending several key events and presiding over the Grand Parade.
“I was honored to be selected as the Grand Marshal this year,” stated Mr. Gust. Lolly and I are very active in our community and have enjoyed participating in this event for many years. This brought great pride to both of us.”
Gust has been a director of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. and ChoiceOne Bank since the merger with Valley Ridge Financial Corp. and, prior to that, was a director of Valley Ridge Financial Corp. and Valley Ridge Bank/Kent City State Bank, which was consolidated with The Grant State Bank on December 6, 1996, to form Valley Ridge Bank, since 1991.
“Gary has been a long-standing board member of ChoiceOne Bank,” said President and CEO James Bosserd. “As a local business owner that believes in supporting his community, he has provided valuable advice and character to our local community bank franchise.”
Gust attended Cedar Springs High School, and went on to Ferris State University, where he played tennis and met his wife, Lolly. Gary owned Gust Construction Company from 1979 until 2009.
ChoiceOne Bank is a full service financial institution with offices in Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon and Newaygo Counties. ChoiceOne Bank offers insurance and investment products through its subsidiary, ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc. ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. is the holding company headquartered in Sparta, Mich., and the parent corporation of ChoiceOne Bank. For more information, please visit ChoiceOne’s website at www.choiceone.com.