William H. Brooms 82, of Sand Lake, died Sunday, February 9, 2020 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Mr. Brooms was born September 10, 1937 in Denver, Colorado, the son of William and Nellie (Newman) Brooms. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, barbequing, and tinkering with cars. He was an avid book reader, especially Westerns. Surviving are his wife, Sally; children, Norm Trader, Corinne Trader, Cheryl (Robert) House, Darwin Trader, Danell (Roxy) Trader, Monty Trader, Dustin (Rickie) Trader; grandchildren, Tabitha Patin, Tonia Trader, Nathan Trader, Jesse (Kelly) Trader, Sheryl (Jason) Spedoske, Casey Trader, Darren (Jessica) Trader, Ty Trader, Tia (Josh) Benette, Levi Trader, Tayla Trader; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters, Linda, Louise and Sue; many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Friday, February 14 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Mitch Taylor officiating. Private interment Solon Township Cemetery.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs
Karl A. Reed, 65, of Sand Lake, passed away Friday, October 11, 2019 at his home. Karl was born March 14, 1954 in Lakeview, MI the son of Charles and Madelin (Schnicke) Reed. He retired from Wolverine World Wide in 2014. He loved his wife and family, cooking, baking and could fix anything. He loved to laugh and gave the biggest bear hugs. He faithfully took care of his wife and father, who passed away one day before on October 10. Surviving are his wife, Kimberly; children, Kenda Haines, Kevin (Ruth) Reed, Karl (Jessica) Reed, Brittany (Nathaniel) Lossing; 12 grandchildren; mother, Madelin Reed; brother, Ted Reed; in-laws, Clinton & Mary Ann Pease, Cliff Pease, Terry Frisbie. The family greeted friends Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service will be held Thursday 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 12501 Montcalm Avenue, Greenville. Pastor Mark Shaw officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs
Andrew E. Mund, age 53, of Diorite, Michigan and formerly of Cedar Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday October 3, 2019 at his home in the Upper Peninsula. Andy was born at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 14, 1966, the only child of Walter and Lawanda (Mursch) Mund. He graduated from Cedar Springs High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan Technological University as well as an automotive degree from Ferris State University. Andy worked for over 20 years at Kool Toyota in Grand Rapids as a Master Mechanic.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Mund in 2008. He will be lovingly missed by his mother, Lawanda Mund of Sparta; his uncle, Harold (Jean) Mund of Denver, CO; and several cousins.
A private graveside service will take place at Highlandview Cemetery in Big Rapids. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford or Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
Freda M. (Dykhouse) Naffziger, age 89, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at home in Cedar Springs. She was born on August 19, 1930, the second of eight children to Fred and Frances (Hines) Dykhouse in Grand Haven, Michigan. She married Eugene Naffziger on January 7, 1955 and lived in the Cedar Springs area for over 65 years. As a child of the depression, Freda learned how to work long hard hours, beginning in the muck fields weeding onions and carrots in her youth. Followed by factory jobs at Lear Ziegler and Keeler Brass, cleaning houses and culminating with over 40 years as the Chief Financial Officer and Task Master of Naffziger’s Farm Fresh Produce and Naffziger’s Floral and Greenhouse. She loved to pull up a chair at the kitchen table, deal the cards or roll the dice always ready for a game. A fierce competitor, she had a knack for winning. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Emogene White, Harriet Robbins; brothers, John Dykhouse and Fred Dykhouse. She is survived by her husband, Eugene; sister, Lillian Mills; brothers, Bob Dykhouse and Bill Dykhouse; children, Phyllis Naffziger and spouse Dawn Jones, Tom and Holly (Shupe) Naffziger, Marianne (Jeff) Lane, Cindy Richards, Christine Stokkers, Connie Dawkins; 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. The family will greet friends Friday, October 11 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Jim Mulenbeak officiating. Interment Blythefield Memory Gardens, Belmont. Memorial contributions can be made to Cedar Springs Museum & Historical Society, PO Box 296, Cedar Springs, MI 49319 or Emmanuel Hospice, 401 Hall St. SW Ste. 263, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs
David C. Kindle, age 20, of Sand Lake died Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus. David was born March 18, 1999 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Bruce Parks and Jessica Kindle. He was very loving, kind and artistic. He enjoyed fishing, his friends and his family. He had a smile that would light up a room. Surviving are his mother, Jessica Kindle; brothers, Justin Parks, Corey Parks, Thomas Kindle, Ethan Kindle and Dillon Tinkham; grandfather, Mickey Kindle; nieces, Alaina, Lizzy, Lilly and Katelin; many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father. The family greeted friends Wednesday, October 9 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. A luncheon followed at the Cedar Springs American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to Network 180.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs
Charles Francis McBride, of Sand Lake MI, went to the arms of his Lord & Savior Jesus on September 26, 2019. Services will be held at Pierson Bible Church, 101 Grand Street, Pierson, Michigan 49339 on October 26th at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon for family and friends following at 1:00 pm.
Stanley “Chip” Conrad Gabel of Pierson, MI, age 73, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. He is preceded in death by his parents Stan and Iva and his sister Sara Dreyer. Chip is survived by his beloved wife Sylvia J. (Grimes); sister, Charlotte Zikan; brother-in-law, Ken (Rose) Dreyer; four daughters, Tina (Mike) Auge, Beth (Bob) Mazur, Becca Lockhart, Marcie (Scott) Duncan; three sons, Martin, Scott (Susie) Misner, Matt (Kelly) Misner; 18 grandkids and 11 great-grandkids. Chip was a tool and die maker for over 35 years and enjoyed spending time in his tool shop listening to Rush while working his mechanical wizardry. He also enjoyed flea markets and auctions with his buddy Ken and time with his favorite dog Sophie. The family would like to thank Spectrum Butterworth Hospital for their care and compassion. The funeral service for Chip was celebrated on Friday, May 17, 2019 at Pierson Bible Church, 101 Grand St, Pierson, MI 49339. Pastor Jeff Wallace officiated. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to Pierson Bible Church, 101 Grand St, Pierson, MI 49339.
Kurt A. Probst age 57 of Newaygo, died Monday, May 6, 2019 at his home. Kurt was born February 20, 1962 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Arthur and Carolyn (Brooks) Probst. Kurt was a friend to everyone, hard working, very loyal, giving and honest. Surviving are his wife, Helen; step son, Thomas VanderHyde; step grandchildren, Tianna, Franklin, and Talia VanderHyde; parents, Arthur and Carolyn Probst; brother, Alan (Mercedes) Probst; niece and nephew, Mikayla and Austin; in-laws, Sharon Smith, Ellen Stoner, Leonard (Kay) Stoner. 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. Interment Idlewild Cemetery, Kent City. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs
LaVern Edward Blocher, age 99 minus 10 days, went to be with his Lord and Savior May 8, 2019 at 5:00 am in Gowen, MI. He was born May 18, 1920 in Kensal, North Dakota. Vern was a farmer when he married Doris Depew of Alto, MI in 1943. After 10 years he became a Driver Salesman for Herrud Meat Company. He loved to garden both flowers and vegetables. He raised his family in Grandville, MI. where he was very active in Grace Bible Church. Retired to White Cloud then Cedar Springs attended Pierson Bible Church. Preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Doris Irene Depew Blocher, twin daughters Lois and Lucille Blocher, grandson Jordon Gitchel, 5 brothers, and one sister, second wife Georgianna Mattson of 5 years. Survived by his children Katherine (John) Plume of Coral, MI., Elizabeth Gitchel of Howard City, MI., LaVern C. (Shelley) Blocher of Pentwater, MI; 13 grandchildren, 48 great-grand children, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by his sister, Betty Craig of Clarksville, MI.; and 2 sister-in-laws, Rhetha Blocher of Marietta, Georgia, and Donna Blocher of Lowell, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews. Service: Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Heckman Funeral Home 225 E. Edgerton St., Howard City, MI. with Pastor Cris Hammer officiating. Interment will be at Reynolds Township Cemetery, Howard City, MI. Visitations: Saturday prior to funeral 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Heckman Funeral Home. Memorials can be given to Gideon’s International (Bibles), or Pierson Bible Church, Pierson, MI.
Martha I. Parker, age 98, of Sand Lake, died Friday, May 3, 2019 at her home. Mrs. Parker was born March 24, 1921 in Courtland Township, MI the daughter of Albert and Grace (Stewart) Becker. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and painting. In years past she picked a half acre raspberry patch and sold eggs in town. She was an avid Detroit Tiger baseball fan, and loved watching and listening to their games. She loved going to the Howard City Senior Center on Fridays to listen to the music and have lunch. Surviving are her children, Gerald Parker, Lucinda (Max) Cole, Joyce Cavner, Reta McKee; 12 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 34 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell in 2007; daughter-in-law, Beverly Parker; sons-in-law, Roger Cavner and Charles McKee; grandson, Kevin Cole; great-grandson, Ryan Doyle; nine brothers and sisters. The family greeted friends Tuesday, May 7 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service was held Wednesday. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard City Action Center.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs
Harold “Buck” Middleton passed away peacefully on May 4th, 2019 at the age of 88. Buck enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling and dancing. He was a long-time member of the American Legion post #287 and proudly served in the Korean War. You could find him at the Cedar Springs Big Boy every morning enjoying his waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. Harold was the proud father of Steve Middleton, Jerry (Laurie) Middleton, Mary Jo (Bill) Weidenfeller and Karen (Kevin) Grattan. He was a wonderful grandfather to nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and was also a great brother to Clare (Tudy) Middleton and Keith (Lois) Middleton. He is proceeded in death by his beloved first wife Mary Jane, his second wife June and his son Ron. A memorial visitation will take place from 12 noon to 2 p.m. followed by a time of sharing of memories of Buck at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at the Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N Monroe Street in Rockford. A graveside service with Military Honors will then take place at 3:30 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Cedar Springs. In lieu of flowers the family requests you make a donation to a charity of your choice or if you prefer, have a waffle or a beer in memory of Buck.
