Eugene Paul Calkins age 78 of Cedar Springs, died Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at his home. Gene was born August 17, 1942 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Eugene and Ruth (Wilson) Calkins. He had served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and then the National Guard for many years. He retired from General Motors after 30 years. He worked with horses and was one of the best pickup men in horse racing. He was a self taught and very talented musician and guitar player. Surviving are his wife, Diane; daughter, Tena (Jeff) Chulski; stepchildren, Scott Dozeman, David (Michele) Dozeman, Amy (Marlon) Fairbrother; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; brothers, Joseph (Nancy) Calkins, Floyd “Duff” (Betty) Calkins; many cousins, nieces and nephews. The service was held Monday, October 5 at 12:00 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Masks were required. Pastor Inge Whittemore officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery with military honors by the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard.

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

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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

Donald E. Welch, age 90, of Ensley Township, Sand Lake died Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Don was born July 8, 1928 in Hastings, Michigan, the son of Harold and Viola (Wickham) Welch. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Don enjoyed mushrooming, motorcycles, farming and heating with wood. He loved fixing old oily and rusty engines. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease people. Surviving are his wife, Joan; children, Gary (Connie) Welch, Sandra (David) McMahan, Donald Ray Welch; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; brother, James (Carol) Wood; sister, Alice (Mauri) Hammond; sister-in-law, Mary Wood; brothers-in-law, Russell Tramper, Leonard Brock. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and a grandson. The family will greet friends Thursday, Sept. 20 from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at 2:00 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Gary Giddings officiating. Interment North Ensley Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 456 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

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

Arthur J. Schoenborn, age 80, passed away Friday, August 17, 2018 at his home. He was born March 8, 1938 in Belding, Michigan the son of Robert and Lillian (Laux) Schoenborn. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 – 60. Art was always willing to help others and was very involved in serving through the Moose. He was a member of the Sparta Moose, Cedar Springs American Legion and the Tri-County Eagles. He is survived by his grandsons, Kirk Nagle, Randy Nagle, Jamie Nagle, John (Kelly) Nagle; great-grandchildren, Corianne, Ryan, Charlie, Melissa, Emily, Johnny, Jarrett, Joseph, Jaken, Jesse, Jimmy; great-great-grandsons, Brayden and Bentley; siblings, Sr. Evelyn Schoenborn, OP, Sr. Catherine Schoenborn, Jacqueline Pangburn, Theresa Crouse, Lawrence (Karen) Schoenborn; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his longtime partner Lola Anderson; daughter, Selma Nagle; siblings, Raymond, Donna, Donald, Sr. Phyllis Schoenborn, Bernice Geiger, Maurice, L. James (Jim), Sylvester (Buck) Schoenborn and Pauline Powers. A Memorial Mass will be offered Wednesday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Queen of Apostles, Sand Lake with a luncheon to follow. Rev. Fr. Lam Le, Celebrant. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sand Lake with military honors. 

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

Dwight C. “Ike” Jamison, age 90, of Cedar Springs, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Faith Hospice Trillium Woods on Sunday, August 5, 2018. Ike was born February 15, 1928 in Big Rapids, Michigan the son of Hugh and Nina (Oldfield) Jamison. He attended what was then called Ferris State Institute. At eighteen, Ike enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at the 161st Station Hospital in Japan for five years during the Korean War. Upon his return to the states, he was stationed in New York City where he met and married his bride of 66 years, Josephine “Jo” (Valdez) in 1952. After a year of living in Manhattan, they returned to West Michigan and settled in Cedar Springs where they have resided for 53 years. Ike worked in millwright and retired from General Motors Plant #2 in Grand Rapids where he made many life-long friends and was an active member of the UAW, Region 1D. Lovingly remembering his constant dedication to family and friends are his wife, Jo; brother, Hugh Jamison; children, Archie Jamison, Judson (Kim Vu) Jamison, Carla (Bjorn) Hansen; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews and countless friends. The family will greet friends Thursday, August 9 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice.

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

Pearce Allen “Rocky” Lane, 87, of Cedar Springs, formerly of Big Rapids, passed away Friday July 27, 2018, in Greenville. He was born October 9, 1930, on a farm in Big Rapids, the son of Leroy and Ferne (Rogers) Lane. Pearce graduated from Big Rapids High School, and attended MSU on a boxing scholarship. Rocky was the World Amateur Boxing Champion in 1954, was the All Army Worldwide Boxing Champion in 1955 and 1956, and boxed in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. (He earned the nickname “Rocky” before the movie came out!) For 25 years, Rocky served his country in the U.S. Army, retiring as Lt. Colonel, and earned many honors. He served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, and was shot down but escaped injury. Rocky was named an Outstanding Young Man of America in 1967, and was president of Georgia Olympians. He was honored to carry the torch in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Throughout his life, Rocky earned other honors and awards, and could tell you a story about all of them. He will be missed along with those stories and his sense of humor. Pearce was preceded in death by his first wife Dianne and son Bruce. He is survived by their children Nancy King and Richard Lane, also his second wife Betty and her children, Ronald Helms, Vicki Goss, Richard Helms, Michael Helms, and Karen Corey; his siblings Gordon Lane, Herman McConnell, and Diane Windquist; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by brothers Roger and Kenny Lane. Memorial services for Rocky were held 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 30, 2018, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Pastor John Bookshaw officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Big Rapids American Legion Post #98 Honor Guard. Burial will be in Highland View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Kindred Hospice Care, 625 Kenmoor SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Share a memory or express condolences at www.mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Mohnke Funeral Home, Big Rapids

Albert C. Gebhardt, 90 of Cedar Springs died Monday, December 4, 2017 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Al was born March 6, 1927 in Freedom Township, Michigan the son of Albert and Helen (Scherdt) Gebhardt. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during World War II. He became a plastering contractor, then started selling insurance in 1958, eventually owning and operating Gebhardt Insurance Agency in Cedar Springs. Al was an active business leader in Cedar Springs and was a 30-year member of Rotary and had been Chamber of Commerce President. He was a well-known and excellent fisherman and also enjoyed hunting and flying. Surviving are his wife, Letha whom he married on March 27, 1948; children, Gerry (Gloria) Gebhardt, Cheryl (Kirk) Davidson, Mark (Kathy) Gebhardt; grandchildren, David (Katie) Gebhardt, Kristine (Jason) Tworek; great-grandchildren, Abigail and Jonathan Tworek, Lane and Grace Gebhardt; brothers, Raymond Gebhardt, Harold (Lyn) Green. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Alan Gebhardt; sister, Hilda (Melvin) Davis; brother, Robert (Emma) Gebhardt. The family will greet friends Tuesday, December 12^th from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 13^th at 11:00 a.m. the United Methodist Church, Cedar Springs. Pastor Karen Sorden officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church, Cedar Springs or the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard.

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

Clarence L. “Moose” Miller age 80 of Sand Lake, died Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at his home. Mr. Miller was born January 26, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan the son of Roy and Catherine (Newville) Miller. He graduated from Montrose High School and was a member of their Football Hall of Fame. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 – 58 and retired from AC Delco in Flint after 32 years of service. Moose enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, camping and cooking. Surviving are his wife, Maxine (Frey); children, Ron (Julie) Miller, Lyle (Brian) Miller; stepchildren, Colette Bergman, Dolores (John) Nagelhout, Kevin (Joann) Parker; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 1 sister. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Friday 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Darryl Miller officiating. Private family interment Crandall Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice.

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

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

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

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