.
.
Dolors K. VanBelkum
Dolors K. VanBelkum, age 93, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at Ashley Care Center, Ashley, MI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI, on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 2:00 P.M., with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI. A Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home. Visitation will also be held on Saturday at the funeral home one hour prior to the mass.
Dolors was born in Conklin, MI on August 30, 1926, the daughter of Peter and Florence (Armock) Denhof. Dolors married August N. “Nick” VanBelkum on June 5, 1946 in Conklin, MI. Nick passed away on March 16, 1999.
Dolors and Nick owned and operated “Nick’s Fruit Market” in St. Johns. Dolors was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She enjoyed spending time at Houghton Lake and wintered in Florida. She liked fishing and playing cards.
She is survived by daughter Judith and Dan Flint of St. Johns; 3 sons: James and Pam VanBelkum of St. Johns; Ronald VanBelkum of Churchville, VA; Douglas and Jen VanBelkum of St. Johns, MI; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by sister Donna Hassold of Ravenna, MI; brother Robert and Dodi Denhof of Ravenna, MI; sister-in-law Bonnie Denhof of Conklin MI; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Nick, daughter Donna LaBar, brother Jack Denhof, brother-in-law Erv Hassold and grandson Troy VanBelkum.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Kyren A. Gunn
Kyren “Ky” A. Gunn died peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at the age of 83. He was born February 21, 1937 in Muskegon, MI, the only son of Arthur and Philomena (Jorissen) Gunn. Ky attended Muskegon Catholic Central High School (1955) and graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in Pharmacy (1959). He married his high school sweetheart “Ginger” on August 8, 1959 and they spent 35 years together raising 4 children.
He loved family time spent at the lake, boating, attending sporting activities and enjoyed bowling, reading and racquetball. Ky believed it was divine intervention that Ginger reconnected with their high school classmate, Karen Nelson, during their oncology treatments. After losing Ginger too soon, Ky found love a second time with Karen and they were married on February 10, 1996. They spent 5 beautiful years together blending their families, working, traveling, and enjoying time with family and friends. With passion and dedication, he served the Muskegon community for 54 years as a Professional Pharmacist.
Ky was a lifelong Catholic and served as a member in the Knights of Columbus as an officer of Council # 3281. By age 76, health issues led Ky to finally retire from the pharmacy career he loved so much. He relocated to Saint Johns, MI in 2013 to live out his retirement years with family, where he became an active member in the First Congregational Church and continued as an active Knight. He enjoyed his independence and made Saint Johns his home as a friendly neighbor and volunteer and always took time to strike up a conversation or meet someone new in the community.
Ky is survived by three daughters, Barbara Sherman, Kimberly (Jerry) Weigold and Anne-Marie (James) White; step-daughter, Mary (Randy) Schaab and step-son, Bill (Dawn) Nelson; twelve grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia (Ginger) Mae Gunn (Age 57, 10-23-94); second wife, Karen Annette Gunn (Age 63, 2-14-01); only son, Patrick Arthur Gunn (Age 26, 1-5-91); grandson, Nathan Ross Sherman (Age 18, 7-27-16).
Funeral services for Ky will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 17, 2020 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, Saint Johns with Rev. Matthew Olson officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends for visitation and viewing on Monday from 11:00 AM until the service begins at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to the Saint Johns High School Marching Band, Nathan Sherman Scholarship Fund.
Lawrence V. Warnke
Lawrence V. Warnke age 91 passed away peacefully with family at his side on Saturday, August 8, 2020. He was born on May 10, 1929 in Belding, Michigan the son of William H. and Catherine (Knieper) Warnke. Lawrence graduated from Ithaca High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He spent his life farming, while also working in the lumber and construction industries.
On August 3, 1957 he married Marie Knoop in Westphalia. She preceded him in death in 2008. Lawrence was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and the St. Johns Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed collecting maps and newspapers, watching baseball and traveling. Anyone who spoke to him knew how proud he was of the family he and Marie raised.
Surviving are his children, Alan (Agnieszka) Warnke, John (Patti) Warnke, Barbara (Dean) Levi, Paul (Luella) Warnke, David (Lisa) Warnke, Kathleen (Chris) George, Michael (Lori) Warnke and Evelyn (Brian) Barker. He has 35 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, brother Tony Warnke and sister Martha Seitz. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Rita Miros, Theresa Kabelitz and Delores Michutka.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams as celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Johns Knights of Columbus or St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Susan M. Gilpin
Susan M. Gilpin, age 69, passed away at Sparrow Hospital on Thursday, August 6, 2020 following a courageous battle with cancer. Susan was born on October 19, 1950 in St. Johns, MI the daughter of Robert and Eva (Mesh) Miller. She graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School and had attended Cosmetology School. On February 15, 1980 she married John Gilpin in St. Johns, MI. Susan enjoyed doing crafts, knitting, making quilts, camping and volunteering at Rock Lake Christian Assembly. She was a member of Duplain Church of Christ.
Surviving are her husband John and children Shelley Gilpin of Vestaburg, Tina Saltsman of Lansing, and Eric (Sandy) Gilpin of Bloomington, IN; brother, Robin Miller and sister Sally Long; 24 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Susan was preceded in death by her parents and son John Robert II in 2013.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Rock Lake Christian Assembly, 7389 E. Vestaburg Rd., Vestaburg, MI 48891. Arrangements are made by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.
Sister Rita E. Martin, O.P.
Sister Rita E. Martin, O.P., 100, passed away at Siena Center, Racine, WI on Thursday August 6, 2020.
Rita Eleanore was born July 25, 1920 to Louis J. and Louise (nee: Pung) Martin in Fowler, MI. On March 8, 1941 she joined the Racine Dominicans and at her reception in 1942 she was given the religious name Sister Louis Mary. She professed her first vows in 1944 and her final vows in 1946. In 1968 she returned to using her baptismal name, Rita.
Sister Rita spent many years in service to others as a teacher, principal and pastoral minister in Wisconsin, Michigan and Kentucky. In Michigan she served at Nativity, Detroit; St. Mary, Paw Paw; St. John, Hubbardston; St. Catherine, Portage and Boysville of Michigan, Clinton. After becoming a resident at Siena Center in 1999 she was a Senior Companion Program Volunteer.
Sister Rita is survived by the Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates; her nephew Father Leon Martin and other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers Gregory, Sylvester and Clement and her sister, Sister Geraldine Martin, O.P.
A private Remembering Service and Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Siena Center Chapel on Tuesday August 11. Interment will take place at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery Hwy 32. Memorials to the Racine Dominican Mission Fund have been suggested.
Jacob James Wendling
Jacob James Wendling, age 34 of Holland, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital following a short battle with and complications from Chordoma. He faced his medical issues with a positive attitude, kindness and perseverance, the same way he approached his life. He bravely endured countless surgeries, scans and pokes as well as the loss of many abilities without complaint. The loss of Jacob is immense and will be felt forever by those who love him. We find comfort knowing that he is now fully healed, free of pain and that he is in heaven which is filled with peace, joy and praise.
Jacob was born on July 31, 1986 in Lansing, MI to Kevin and Jo Lynn (Spitzley) Wendling and he grew up in St. Johns, MI. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Neoma Wendling, and Daniel and Carolyn Spitzley.
Jacob is survived by his wife Shyla Nash-Wendling; two children at home, Hazel (4) and Hendrix (1),and baby Wendling due in March; his parents Kevin and Jo Lynn Wendling; parents-in-law Robin Nash and Doug Nash; siblings Rob (Katie) Barrera, Levi (Leslie) Rost, and Casey (Lance) Rost-Danzy; in-laws Amanda Aho and Doug Haveman, Jacob Nash and Myra Baumeister, and Emma Rutgers; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.
If you asked Jake what his biggest accomplishment was, he would quickly answer that it was his family. He was a wonderful, loving and supportive husband, who always had a joke ready as well as a supportive word. He was the best dad to Hazel and Hendrix and was so looking forward to the arrival of Baby Wendling. Jacob’s favorite part of the day was coming home from work, to play with the kids. He stepped seamlessly from one role to another, and found genuine joy playing with his children. He was a special kind of dad who showed up for the hard stuff and made childhood magical.
Jacob grew up in St. Johns, Mi and graduated from St. Johns High School in 2004. From there he continued on to Central Michigan University where he received his bachelors degree in Spanish Language Education in 2010. He has worked at SPI Pharma for 8 years, working his way up from the line to his most recent position of Quality Assurance Supervisor.
Jacob will always be remembered for his love of character based and story telling video games such as Sea of Thieves, ARK and Red Dead Redemption. He so enjoyed the comradery of relaxing after the day was done with some cheap whiskey or a good IPA and video games with his friends. He passed his love of video games to Hazel and they spent many hours playing Mario 64 together.
Jake was a excellent cook and bartender or as we called him ‘Head Chef at Casa d’Wendling’ who loved to put new dishes together and make big breakfasts on the weekends.
Jacob was a genuinely kind man, who always made sure the people around him were happy and having a good time. He loved to make people laugh and had an amazing sense of humor. He could always find the silver lining and was positive even in the face of his diagnosis. No one will forgot his silly laugh and goofy smile!
We are asking that friends and family write their favorite memory or description of Jake in a card or note for each of his children to read in the future (please create one for each child). We will keep them sealed and in the children’s memory boxes for them to read in the future. Cards or notes may be sent to 14777 James St, Holland, Mi 49424.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private gathering by invite only will take place Wednesday, August 12th at 2 p.m. We invite you to watch the services via Facebook live if you are not in attendance. The livestream will be on Lakeshore Memorial Services Facebook page. A future event will be planned for those unable to attend the memorial service in a way that Jake would want us to celebrate and remember his life.
Memorial contributions may be made to a educational fund set up for the Wendling children at any Fifth Third Bank, or to the Chordoma Foundation.
Please visit www.lakeshorememorial.com to share a memory or message with the Wendling family.
Divorce decrees filed the weeks of July 27 and August 3, 2020
Baker, Mackenzie C./Baker, Daniel L.
Reeser, Nicholas/Reeser, Jessica C.
Brown, Elizabeth M./Brown, Kenneth D.
Alger, Chad/Alger, Samantha
Conklin, Paul L. / Conklin, Leisa M.
Moore, William D./Moore, Toby L.
Rood, Jacqueline/Rood, Thomas E.
Wisner, Lynne/Wisner, Terry
Dery, John F. Jr., / Dery, Jennifer