BEVERLY GOULD (REYBURN) FEASEL

Beverly Gould (Reyburn) Feasel age 89 of Greenville, passed into the presence of God in Heaven Friday, April 27, 2018. She was born to Clarence and Helen Doane of Belmont on April 5, 1929. She married G. DeVerl Reyburn on Thanksgiving Day, 1947. Surviving are her children, Dale (Rhonda) Reyburn formerly of Greenville, now of Cedar Springs, Kris (Teri) Reyburn of DeWitt, Cynthia Brown of St. Johns, Deann (Robert) Brown of Lansing; step children, Carla Heiss and Frank Heiss; former daughter-in-law, Cindy (Paepke) Dobson and David Brown; brother, Daniel (Jane) Doane; sisters, Mary Holland and Phyllis (Don) Wirries; sister-in-law, Reatha Doane; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husbands, G. DeVerl Reyburn, Franklin Heiss and Duane Feasel; brothers, Wallace and Robert Doane; step daughter, Dorothy Heiss. The family greeted friends Monday, April 30 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service was Tuesday 11:00 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church, 315 N. Greenville West Dr., Greenville. Pastor Randy Williams officiating. Interment East Montcalm Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Right to Life of Michigan and Great Lakes Caring Hospice.

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

Shelby Laurence Reyburn was born on October 15, 1932, son of Shelby John Reyburn and Edith Burnap. He passed away quietly in his sleep Saturday, March 10, 2018. Larry graduated from Cedar Springs High School in 1950 and worked as a cashier for Meijer. He attended Davenport College in Grand Rapids before being drafted into the US Army. After basic training at Camp Atterburg, Indiana, he served as infantry in Korea, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class. He married Janice Evelyn Blaesi on June 17, 1955. In 1956 he entered the State Police Academy in Lansing, Michigan, and after graduation served at Ionia, St. Ignace, and Ithaca as a trooper. He was promoted to Detective in 1969 and assigned to State Police Intelligence in Lansing. After his promotion to Detective/Sgt in that unit he transferred in 1972 to the Fire Marshall Division in Lansing. He was promoted again to Detective/Lieutenant in 1980. In 1981 he transferred back to the Intelligence Division and organized the W.E.M.E.T Drug team for West Michigan. Larry retired from the State Police in 1982. Farming was always close to Larry’s heart. He bought the family farm from his parents in 1968, grew apples, and moved there in 1976. When he retired, he and Janice entered the flower business, growing, drying, and marketing dried flowers, which they did for 20 years, as well as 2 acres of pumpkins. He grew a beautiful garden for family and friends, using it as the opportunity to work with his four grandsons who lived next door, training them to work hard and teaching many life lessons. Since 1984, he and Janice spent their winters at their home in Nokomis, Florida, where they were members of Covenant Life Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, Florida. In Michigan, they attended Blythefield Hills Baptist Church in Rockford, Michigan, but their true membership is in Heaven. Larry was excited and comforted to be moving to his new residence in Heaven with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Larry is survived by his wife, Janice, son Dean (Martha) Reyburn and daughter Joanne (Joseph) Pann. His grandchildren Nathanael, Noah, Aaron, and Andrew Reyburn, Jessie, Jacob, and Jebedia Pann, and 11 great-grandchildren. His grandson Joseph Pann and older sisters Genevie Penrose and Florence Yurich preceded him in death. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 15 at Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Visitation at Blythefield Hills Baptist Church in Rockford, Michigan at 10 a.m. prior to the 11a.m. Funeral on Friday, March 16, 2018. In lieu of flowers send donations to Faith Hospice of Grand Rapids or BHBC missionaries.

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

Pictured from left to right: Andrew, Noah, and Nate Reyburn, Larry, Janice, and Dean Reyburn.

Shining white and tall with the gold and green insert, the new Centennial Farm sign in front of 2727 Indian Lakes Rd., Cedar Springs proudly displays an important milestone for the Reyburn Family.

In 1916, Orange and Etta Burnap (the current owner’s grandparents) purchased the farm, which was sold to Shelby and Edith Reyburn (Orange’s daughter and son-in-law), then sold to Walter and Genevie Penrose (Shelby’s daughter and son-in-law), and finally to current owners Shelby L. (Larry) and Janice Reyburn (Shelby’s son and daughter-in law).

The beautiful acreage at Shady Grove Farm reaches from Indian Lakes Rd. to the Consumers Power lines, and has hosted apple orchards, fields of soybeans or corn, flowers, vegetables, pumpkins, tomatoes, and deep shady woods. There is a well-kept old wooden barn with several outbuildings, and two homes.

Larry grew up here on this property, and throughout the years he spent in the Michigan State Police it always called him back. He purchased the farm from his sister and brother-in-law in 1968. Even though he worked and lived wherever he was posted, he returned to tend the orchards and work the land.

After his retirement in 1982 from the State Police until 2000, Larry and Janice concentrated on their flower business, growing, drying, arranging, and selling beautiful bouquets at fairs across the state. Currently they grow pumpkins, sweet corn, tomatoes, and other vegetables, which are sold right at the farm.

Larry and Janice would tell you that they are blessed by God and are proud to continue the 100-plus year heritage of this beautiful farm.

Happy 60th Anniversary

GORDON & JOYCE REYBURN

August 28th

Celebrating 60 years of marriage are Gordon and Joyce (Ziemann) Reyburn of Cedar Springs. They started their trip through life by crossing the Straights of Mackinac on the car ferry, City of Petoskey, to the Land of Hiawatha. Further north the Toonerville Trolley took them for a wilderness ride to the shores of the Tahquamenon River where they boarded the Riverboat for a 21 mile trip downstream to view the majestic Tahquamenon Falls. Since then they were blessed with a son, Greg (Toni) Reyburn and daughter, Pamala (Glen) Jurick, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Family gatherings to mark the event have taken place over the summer months. They praise God from whom all blessings flow. Photo taken in 1971.

Congratulations to Mike Reyburn, who was promoted from Major to Lt. Colonel on March 2.

Mike is a graduate of DeWitt High School, and a 1995 West Point graduate. He has spent 17 years in the Army and is now stationed in Suffolk, Virginia.

He is the son of former residents Kris and Teri (Covell) Reyburn, and the grandson of Richard and Joan Covell, of Cedar Springs.

He is pictured here with his family—wife Jennifer, daughter Jacqueline, and son Jake.

The 2010-2011 team members ended their year with the 66th annual parent/member banquet on April 25. Hanna Johnson said, “We had a good hog roast and an awesome time.  All FFA members and officers helped to make this banquet happen.” The officers would like to thank all the parents and everyone who attended; they helped a lot, with each bringing a dish to pass and adding their lively conversation and company to the event. While this day did mark the end of the 2010-2011 officer team, it began the life of a hopeful new group.
The FFA officers for the 2011-2012 year have started their year off with an investment in their leadership skills. “It is great to start a new season of leadership with such a great group of young men and women,” remarked club advisor Larry Reyburn. The newly elected officers are President Brent Willett, Vice President Jerry Green, Secretary Kayli DeCanter, Reporter Hanna Johnson, Treasurer Whitney Decker, and Sentinel Charles Nelson.
As a kick off to the new season, the club hosted their spring “Drive Your Tractor to School Day” on April 28.  Despite rainy weather the event was well attended, with 8 tractors and many observers. Each tractor driver was provided with a commemorative t-shirt and roasted hot dogs during school lunch. Thanks go to several local businesses for sponsoring the event; your support is greatly appreciated.
The new officers further developed their team building skills by attending the FFA’s regional leadership camp, held each year at the Shack hotel in Newaygo.  This event is an enjoyable learning experience intended to help new FFA leaders learn to fulfill their office duties and live up to their potential in the FFA. Members will be instructed on the duties of their prospective offices, some key factors in building team relationships, and exciting ways to develop leadership capabilities. Jerry Green expressed his feelings about the trip: “As Vice President, this time will allowed me to get the ground work laid for our group’s activities next year.” The club participates in everything from the Agricultural “Olympics,” to agricultural skill development, and to community service. Kayli DeCanter showed excitement about meeting other chapter officers from all over this part of the state and challenged herself to find new ideas to apply in her Cedar Springs community.
Also the group was selected as the second place team in the only team competition at the event. Mr. Reyburn remarked that this was the best the Cedar Springs officer team had finished in over 2 years.

The Cedar Springs FFA has received approval from the School Administration to launch a new “Community Garden Project.”  Advisor Larry Reyburn announced that the project is just a beginning to future experiences.  “We hope that this marks the first year of an annual event in our community,” he said.
The group plans to prepare garden plots measuring 15 feet x 15 feet, which community members could rent for $20. The renter can then plant a small produce plot that would be tilled by FFA booster members. FFA members have been eagerly anticipating a time when they could bring more agriculture back to their program at Cedar Springs. “I am very excited to help bring more agriculture and community service to our school, but we will need help from our community,” said Brent Willett, local FFA President.
Local farmer and FFA booster Wayne Marsman will be helping the group with soil preparation. The target, weather permitting, is to have the sites ready for planting by the end of May.  Several community members have been instrumental in the planning for this activity.  Dan Spangenberg, D. White, Rick Sevey, and Dick Winzer have been working with FFA members Brent Willett, Jerry Green, Charles Nelson, and FFA Advisor Mr. Reyburn to bring the project to fruition.  “The most difficult part of the process has been to be sure we have all the bases covered for safety and liability for the school,” remarked Reyburn.
“With the big downturn in the economy and the movement toward naturally grown foods, we figured the time is now,” stated Sevey, a local farmer.  The project will allow community members to start a fun project, renting and growing their own food plot as long as they follow organic guidelines.  Community members can contact Mr. Reyburn for more information or reserve a plot by calling 616-696-1200 (Extension 6131) or emailing Larry.Reyburn@csredhawks.org.

Nicholas Reyburn

Two Cedar Springs residents are headed to court after a drug bust December 3 in the 300 block of E. Oak Street.
The Post reported last month that one person was arrested and another cited on drug-related charges after Cedar Springs police responded to a loud music complaint and found marijuana.
Officer Paul Feutz saw one of the people throw something behind a dresser, which turned out to be a bag of marijuana and they found more on the balcony. They confiscated six bags, for a total of 26 grams.
Nicholas Allen Reyburn 28, of Cedar Springs, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance-delivery and manufacturing of marijuana. He had a preliminary exam December 20, and is now scheduled for a jury pick on March 17.
The person living in the apartment, Sara Cross, was charged under a city ordinance for possession of drug paraphernalia.  She has a pretrial conference set for January 21 at 1:45 p.m.