ANDREWS- Lucile Ann (Kurant) Andrews, age 94 died on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband, William C. Andrews and seven siblings, being the last of William and Mary Kurant’s children. She is survived by her sons, William (Linda) Andrews of Comstock Park, Donald (Robin) Andrews of Rockford and daughter, Susan Andrews of Ada. Lucile often said, “my greatest joy and proudest achievement was raising my children.”
After graduating from Rockford High School, she worked in a Muskegon electrical component factory which supplied mine parts during the war, also volunteering as a nurses aide. After the war she married returning veteran William, setting up residence in Wolf Lake, near Muskegon. The family moved to Traverse City for a few years, then returned to Grand Rapids.
She became active in the 9th Infantry Division Association with her husband shortly after the war, remaining involved for the rest of her life.
As she raised her children, Lucile worked part time as a reporter for Sparta Sentinel Leader, helped in the redistricting of the newly formed Kenowa Hills Public School District and was a part time realtor with Village Belles Realty.
When her children were grown, she took a full time position with the IRS and later with Michigan Unemployment Security Commission. She also was active in Alpine Township, serving on the planning commission for several years.
During the time she spent in assisted living and nursing home care she brought comfort to fellow residents by being an attentive listener. Staff also enjoyed her lively interaction and the extravagant stories she told, embellished with her infectious laugh.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1120 Four Mile Rd. NE, Grand Rapids The family will greet relatives and friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, March 16 at Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Dr. NE, Belmont with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in her memory.
To share a memory or photo and to sign the family’s online guest book please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com.
DEAN ELLSWORTH BACON born Sept. 30, 1930, Grand Island, Nebraska. Died March 9, 2015 in Naples, Fl due to kidney failure.. His parents were Libbyan and Charles Dean Bacon.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, involved in the Korean War as a squad leader at Heartbreak Ridge and Chowran Valley, where he received the combat infantry badge..
In 1955 he married Beth Metz, from Illinois..They had 2 daughters , Dawn Bacon Swinehart(Dave) and Les Stinson (Bill). 3 Grandchildren: Sarah (Shane) and Evan Swinehart and Billy Stinson(Jill) One great grandchild, Carter Higgins..
He attended Ohio State University (GO Bucks) and graduated from Bowling Green State University, playing varsity tennis. 1957 Dean worked for Marathon Oil, then moved to New Orleans, lA., working for Murphy Oil Co. In 1967 he had a yearning to return to the Midwest, going into business for himself, creating”, Dean’s Takeout”, gas and convenience stores serving the Grand Rapids, Mi area.
His passion was sports – especially tennis, playing into his 80″s.Fishing was another sport he dearly loved and spent their summers in Grand Haven, Mi. on the lake. Another passion he had was his friends. He kept track of everyone he met.They were all special.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dean’s memory to the First Congregation Church, 192 Bridge Street Rockford, Mi. 49341
Memorial service will be held at Naples United Church of Christ 5200 Crayton Rd. Naples Monday March 16, at 10:00 AM
Mr. Laddie Earl LeBlond of Rockford, Michigan, age 74, went home to his Lord and Savior on Monday, March 9, 2015. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 13, 1940 to Earl and Elizabeth (Hemphill) LeBlond. Laddie worked at Amway in the research department for many years and was a veteran of the United States Navy, proudly and courageously serving his flag and country. He was an avid camper, and loved Volkswagen campers. He also enjoyed operating HAM radios. Laddie was a loving and devoted husband, married to Esther for twenty-four years, and his first wife for twenty-eight. He was a wonderful father and proud grandfather. He was very instrumental in raising four of his grandchildren. The love he had for his family was truly immeasurable. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends, and all those who knew him. Laddie is survived by his loving wife, Esther Jane (Boonstra); children Tammy (Jim) Karim, Angela (Scott) Parmenter, Penny (Scott) Allen, Jeffrey (Ann) LeBlond; step-daughter Diane (Russ) McKnight; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother Claude (Geri) LeBlond; sister Robin (Tom) Eckert; and many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Anthony LeBlond; and grandson Adam Arnold; brother Damon LeBlond. There will be a time of visitation from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2015, at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341. The funeral service for Laddie will be celebrated at 11:00 on Friday, March 13, 2015, at Blythefield Hills Baptist Church, 6727 Kuttshill Drive NE, Rockford, MI 49341. Pastor Louie Konopka will be officiating. Interment will be at Plainfield Township Cemetery. Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to Blythefield Hills Baptist Church; or to the Christian Rest Home, 1000 Edison Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
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Mr. Joseph P. Rathbun, age 89, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, March 13, 2015.
He was surrounded by family as he passed from this life into God’s glory. Joe was born in Grand Rapids, MI on March 23, 1925. He was adopted as a young child by Edward and Blanche Rathbun.
After high school, he entered the service of his country, first in the Merchant Marines at the end of World War II and then in the army in the Korean War. He returned from the war to marry his sweetheart, Barbara (Balbach). He attended Michigan State University and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Joe was a loving and devoted husband, married to Barbara for 63 years. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and six children, Debra & David Reed, Barbara Rice, Timothy & Roxanne Rathbun, Thomas & Jeanne Rathbun, Terry Rathbun and Jonathan & Anita Rathbun; grandchildren Courtney Reed, Colin Rathbun, Meredith and Gillian Rice, Michelle & Justin Douma, Eric, Sarah, and Stephen Rathbun and Julia and Joseph Rathbun; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Mary & Lou Buffham and Cornelius Balbach; and many nieces and nephews.
Joe and his wife Barb traveled the world, often with many of their children. He spent many happy weeks and months helping across the globe in foreign missionary work in Gambia, Togo, and Jamaica to name but a few. A devout Christian, he sought to honor his Lord in all that he did. One of his greatest desires was that all of his children follow the Lord. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His family takes great comfort in knowing that his absence from his body means he is present with his Lord.
There was visitation on Sunday, March 15, 2015 from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341. The funeral service for Joe, in celebration of his life, was at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015 at West Cannon Baptist Church, 5760 Cannonsburg Road NE, Belmont, MI. Pastors Doug Crawford, David Parmerlee, and Maynard Belt officiated. There wasl also a one hour visitation prior to the service. Under the auspices of the Kent County Veteran’s Honor Guard, full military honors were performed.
The family asks that memorial contributions be directed to West Cannon Baptist Church – Missions.
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