All Obituaries

Susan Ellen Cooper, age 67, of Spring Lake passed away Tuesday June 20, 2017 at Hospice House at Heartwood. Susan was born February 17, 1950 to John and Nellie (Veurink) Bytwerk in Muskegon MI. She married Fred Cooper on January 12, 1979 in Muskegon. Susan was a former member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church, Ferrysburg Christian Reformed Church, Second Christian Reformed Church and present member of Harvest Bible Chapel in Spring Lake. Susan was known to her family, friends, and...

Diana Jayne (Hunt) Wells, age 78, of Paw Paw, Michigan passed away Saturday, June 17, 2017 surrounded by her family. Diana was born May 1, 1939 to Frederick and Herma Jane (Fraker) Hunt in Wauseon, Ohio. She married Cloyd Dean Wells on December 27, 1959 in Delta, Ohio. At age 12 Diana begged her parents for a doll, Santa heard her pleas and that Christmas was gifted a doll. Diana spent many years making outfits for that doll and as a result, became quite handy and familiar with a sewing...

John Thomas Tighe, age 73 of Grand Haven passed away Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Heartwood Lodge Hospice House surrounded by his family. John was born January 19, 1944 to Jack and Beverly (Yeager) Tighe in Muskegon, MI. He married Gayle Mansfield on September 13, 1969. John graduated from Muskegon Catholic High School in 1962. After graduation he worked on the Muskegon Car Ferries. He retired in 2002 as a Boilermaker after 36 years on the job. John enjoyed woodworking and spending time...

Richard R. Olechnowicz age 77 of Robinson Township passed away Saturday, June 17, 2017. Rich was born February 24, 1940 to Bruno and Anna (Klimo) Olechnowicz in Chicago, IL. He proudly served in the US Army. Rich married Judy Sabo on September 28, 1963 in Grand Haven. She preceded him in death on June 13, 2012. Rich started his career with Bastian Blessing as a sheet metal journeyman. He blended his work as a journeyman with life on the farm where he retired after 20+ years. He thoroughly...

Alexander Charles Priese, 21, of Grand Haven passed away on June 15, 2017 at Metro Health Hospital. Alexander was born November 29, 1995 to Charles and Jamie (Kamrowski) Priese in Big Rapids, MI.  He graduated from Grand Haven High School in 2017.  Alex liked taking trips to Disney World, RC plane flying and loud noises. He loved spending time with family and friends and watching Veggie Tales. Alex is survived by his parents; sister, Libby Priese of NJ; grandparents, Chuck and...

James L. Smith, age 88 of Grand Haven passed away Sunday, June 11, 2017. Jim was born May 24, 1929 to Jim C. and Arlevia (Taylor) Smith in Hunter, Arkansas. He married Emma (Jean) Baumgarner on March 14, 1953. Jim worked for Sealed Power and retired in 1991. He was a member of First Christian Reformed Church. Jim was known by his friends as the man who could fix anything. He enjoyed tinkering with things, building windmills and bird houses. He also enjoyed camping, traveling and tending...

James R. Bullerdick, age 89 of Grand Haven passed away Friday, June 9, 2017. Jim was born December 6, 1927 to Elmer and Doris (Dodson) Bullerdick in Melrose Park, Ill.  He married Marjorie Bowers on January 20, 1953 in Shelby, MI. Jim began his career with Consumer Power at the BC Cobb plant in Muskegon. He transferred to the JH Campbell plant in West Olive and retired from the corporate headquarters in Jackson after 30 years total of service. Jim was a very active member of the...

Merlene Richardson, age 88 of Grand Haven passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Merlene was born August 15, 1928 to August and Lenore (Warner) VanderWagen in Grand Haven. She married Orvil Richardson on August 11, 1950 in Spring Lake. He preceded her in death on April 13, 2013. Merlene attended First Presbyterian Church. She spent her life as a loving, dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. Merlene enjoyed baking and traveling with her family. Her hobbies included ceramics, golf, playing...

Ellen Marie Thumma, 90, of St. Cloud, FL, formerly of Grand Haven, went to be with her Lord in the late evening hours on Saturday, June 3rd while in St. Cloud. She was born on July 9, 1926 in Muskegon, Michigan; one of three children to Richard and Maude (Cooley) Halley. She spent her childhood years in the Muskegon area, later meeting and marrying Ralph Thumma in September of 1946. They soon located to the Chicago area for work but later returned to West Michigan to be closer to family....

Joan H. Bulthouse, 84, of Nunica passed away on June 2, 2017 at home. Joan was born March 27, 1933 to William and Anna (Olthof) Wierenga in Spring Lake. She married Harry Bulthouse on July 9, 1955 at Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church. Joan graduated from Western Michigan Christian High School and went on to work as a teller at People’s Bank and then worked for 30 plus years as the manager at the Williamsburg Apartments in Grand Haven. She is survived by her husband of almost 62...