The Obituary Section

Julia Scheid

, Michigan

On Thursday May 14 just before dawn surrounded by her loving family Julia Diann Scheid peacefully slipped away from us escaping the cruel effects of dementia a disease she courageously battled for several years. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Tom Paula Scheid Theresa Dan Johnson Brian Scheid James Meg Scheid grandchildren Jenny Luke Carney Jason Kate Scheid Dom Karla Smigiel Julie Brent Catherino Bridget Vic Weidner Kayla Tyler Lapp Lydia Johnson Savannah Scheid Nicole Scheid 15 great grandchildren brother Rev. Anthony Vainavicz sisterinlaws Rae Marie Vainavicz and Karlene Vainavicz and several nieces and nephews. Julia is preceded in death by her son Joe Scheid Jr. grandson Kyle Johnson brothers William Ben and Don sisterinlaw Dolorine Vainavicz. Julie was raised on the West Side of Grand Rapids and graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1951. After graduating from high school she worked at the Bissell Corporation before…

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Sally Huitema

, Michigan

Sally June Huitema age 85 of Grandville went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday May 13 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Jennie Vos sister and brotherinlaw Jeanette and Marvin Diepstra. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 54 years Dale Huitema sons Daniel and Nasha Sally Huitema Howard and Marion VanDenHeuvel six grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren brotherinlaw Dales twin brother and sisterinlaw Bernard and Barbara Huitema nieces nephews extended family and friends. Sally graduated from Calvin University and spent many years as a teacher before following her true passion of helping others through her work as a health care nurse. She was a compassionate encourager a patient listener and a devoted advocate for social justice. A private family service will be held at a later date. The burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Those…

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Robert Karel

, Michigan

Robert C. Karel age 91 of Jenison was peacefully called home to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his family on Sunday May 17 2026. Born on April 9 1935 in Grand Rapids to the late Clarence and Florence Hoogewerf Karel he attended Grand Rapids Christian High School. He proudly served in the Naval Reserves before beginning his career as a bricklayer and later dedicating more than 35 years of faithful employment to Harlo Industries prior to his retirement. He was known for being very detailed and organized in all that he did. Blessed with a love of music he shared his beautiful bass voice singing in the church choir for many years. He was an avid sports fan who especially enjoyed football baseball and auto racing and also loved boating and skiing. A faithful and devoted family man he was a constant supporter of all his childrens…

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Hermina Plummer

, Michigan

June was born in Grand Rapids to Henry and Hermina VanderHoff the fourth of what would become a family of eight children. She was named Hermina after her mother but would always be called June. She lost her mother at the age of 12. When June was 14 she went to work at Pfeffers Drug Store in Galewood after her brother Ken suggested she get a job to overcome her intense shyness. That was an eventful time for her. She began her lifelong habit of taking good care of herself. She learned to shop for clothes she took the bus downtown to purchase the clothes she saw in Seventeen magazine. This became a lifelong hobby. It was at Pfeffers that she met Glenn Plummer. They went on their first date on June 28 1947. On June 28 1948 they became engaged and on June 28 1949 they were married. Glenn…

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Jason Sirk Sironen

, Michigan

September 26, 1980

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Jason Robert SirkSironen age 45 on Saturday May 9 2026 in Wyoming Michigan. While we mourn his loss we take comfort in knowing that Jason is now living in the presence of Jesus. Jason was born on September 27 1980 in Grand Rapids Michigan and graduated from Comstock Park High School in 1999. Jason was Born Again at the age of 16 but had later on fallen away from the Lord. Recently he had come back and was attending New Hope Community Church in Rockford where he was learning and growing in the Lord. Jason was known for his loving servants heart comforting bear hugs warm smile that lit up his face loyalty and deep infectious laugh. Jason spent his final morning doing what he loved working alongside men from New Hope Community Church to help someone in need. Jason passed away…

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Elaine Marsman

, Michigan

Elaine Ann Bloem Marsman age 92 of Jenison formerly of Grandville went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday May 14 2026. Born in Grand Rapids to the late Henry and Jennie Bloem she graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School before earning her LPN nursing degree. A woman of deep faith she was a faithful prayer warrior and actively involved in her church serving in many capacities throughout the years. She was social by nature and truly enjoyed spending time with others. Above all she loved her Lord and Savior and deeply cherished her family. She also enjoyed traveling spending summers at the family cottage on Lake Mitchell in Cadillac and wintering in Lake Havasu City Arizona. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years Herb Marsman her siblings Hank Bloem Carol Cooper George Bloem and Shirley Egler. She will be lovingly remembered by…

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Rose Schenck

, Michigan

Rose Marion Schenck age 94 of Kentwood went to be with her Lord on Monday May 11 2026. She was preceded in death by her sons Paul Zylema and Eric Zylema former spouse John Zylema. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Bob sons John and Nancy Zylema Mark and Mary Zylema Rock and Barb Zylema stepdaughter Chrissy and Bob Henning grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rose was a hard worker raising five boys and working for General Motors for many years. She was a very spiritual person filling her days in prayer and quietly supporting those who were in need. She had a sweet demeanor and never had a bad word to say about anyone. She cherished her time spent with family and friends and she will be dearly missed. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 am Wednesday May 20 at St. Dominics Church 50 Bellevue Street…

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David Kowal

, Michigan

April 11, 2026

David Allen Kowal December 19 1959 66 of Grand Rapids MI passed away on April 12 2026 heavenbound with his sister by his side. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David. He was raised in a Catholic family of 8 in a small home in Wyoming MI with humble beginnings. David was the second youngest of 6 siblings. He was born with a sense of humor. He was the fun one in the family and loved making people laugh and smile. He could not wait for November 15th as his true passion was deer hunting. When he was a young man his dad passed away from cancer at the early age of 50 years old. David took a job as a busboy to help his mom pay the bills. Davids sons have fond childhood memories of riding in his big red truck when he had…

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Jeffrey Ridings

, Michigan

Jeffrey G. Ridings age 79 of Ada MI passed away on Saturday May 16 2026. Born on October 18 1946 in Burbank CA he was the son of George T. and Jean Walstrom Ridings. Jeffrey received his bachelors degree and went on to coown Wolverine Building Group having built and developed numerous projects throughout West Michigan for decades. He was a lifelong boater beginning his boating adventures on Spring Lake before moving on to Harbor Springs with many trips to the North Channel. He also had a love of fast cars. Jeffrey is survived by his wife of over 33 years Kimberly Grudzinskas Ridings three daughters Kris Ridings Sheri Greg VanKirk and Emily Rory Woodman nine grandchildren brother Richard Betsy Ridings sister Sue Rod Stanard several nieces and nephews. Friends may visit with Jeffreys family on Thursday May 21 2026 46 PM at the Metcalf Jonkhoff Funeral Home 4291 Cascade…

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Chuck Russell

, Michigan

March 29, 2005

Chuck Russell age 68 died suddenly on May 15 2026. Chuck was born on August 10 1957 in Detroit to Fred and Charlotte Russell. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School then went on to receive both a Bachelors and Masters degree from Grand Valley State University. Chuck married Charlene Cove on May 1 1982. Char died on March 30 2005. They had two children Drew Russell and Audra Rob Geyer. He later married Sally Harmon. Chuck was a people person. He loved to share stories tell jokes and be with friends and family. He had a very rewarding career as a Special Education teacher with the Jenison School District. Chuck also taught drivers ed for many years giving him the opportunity to continue teaching after retirement. Most of all Chuck loved being with his friends and family. His granddaughters Charli and Stevie were a constant source of joy. His…

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