Obituaries
Richard E. Bullock Jr.
Richard E. Bullock Jr. 84, of Saugatuck, MI, passed away November 3, 2019, in Venice, FL. On November 7, 1934, Richard was born in Strong City, KS, to the late Richard Ervie Bullock Sr. and Fannie Bullock.
Richard enlisted in the Navy 1951 and served during the Korean War. It was upon a visit to Portland, Michigan, with a navy buddy that he was introduced to his wife of 62 years, Ann.
After moving throughout the state of Michigan, Richard settled his family in Charlotte, where he owned and operated Adtech Plastics for 25 years. Upon the sale of his business, Richard and Ann moved to their beloved Saugatuck, where they enjoyed many years of boating on Lake Michigan and spending time with family. They developed many friendships over the years bringing them much joy and fun times. Richard was extremely proud of his five grandchildren and played a very important part in all of their lives. Richard/ Dad/ Papa will be remembered as a fun loving, generous and kind-hearted man.
Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ann, his parents and his four siblings.
Surviving Richard are his children, Susan Bullock of Gila, NM, Nancy Henry (Tim Rice) of Traverse City, Judi Bullock-Bohr (Bill Bohr) of Portage, MI, Charles Bullock of Zeeland, MI; and grandchildren Eric, Macy, Jordan, Morgan, Matthew…
A celebration of Richard’s life is being held at Dykstra Funeral Home – Mulder Chapel, 188 W 32nd St. in Holland, MI, on November 15, 2019, at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland, 270 Hoover Blvd, Holland MI 49423. To share a memory or to sign an online register book please visit, www.dykstrafuneralhome.com.
Virginia Eleanor Martens
Virginia Eleanor Martens died October 29, 2019. Virginia was born on December 1, 1930, in Hastings and grew up in Lacey and Bellevue, MI. She attended Bellevue Community Schools and Cleary Business College.
Virginia married Gordon E. Martens on August 26, 1950. They lived and raised their family in Bellevue. She worked as a homemaker and as a church secretary, first at Bellevue United Methodist Church and then at Washington Heights United Methodist Church and Community Ministries in Battle Creek. She lived in Bellevue for most of her life and was a longtime member of Bellevue United Methodist Church and the Bellevue United Methodist Women.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gordon; her son, Rick Martens; and her sister, Marjorie Beckman. She is survived by her daughters, Jan Walsworth and Deb Martens, son-in-law Jim Bennett, and daughter-in-law Laurie Hagan-Martens; grandchildren Hugh Milne (spouse Moira), Eric Walsworth (spouse Karla), Sarah Carpenter (spouse Bryan), Monica Martens, Elizabeth Bennett (spouse Rob Holveck), and Anna Bennett; great-grandchildren Brianna Duncan (spouse Brian), Trevor Brown (spouse Natalie), Keilyn Carpenter, Ella Walsworth, Wesley Walsworth, and Forrest Bennett-Holveck; sister-in-law Beverly Martens; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Virginia loved visits from her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed garage sales, sewing and knitting, reading, watching old movies, playing bingo and eating ice cream. She was a loving and supportive mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend and will be missed by many.
A memorial service in celebration of Virginia’s life will be held on Friday, November 29, at 1 p.m. at Bellevue United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Greater Lansing Food Bank, PO Box 16224, Lansing MI 48901 or at greaterlansingfoodbank.org.
Brenda Jean Hill
Brenda Jean Hill, 58, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at her home in Riverton, WY. She was born on June 16, 1961, in Lansing, the daughter of Eric J. and Judith K. (Speer) Magoon. She attended schools in Charlotte. On April 1, 2010, she married Albert “Bud” Hill in Columbus, NE. Brenda loved helping Bud with projects both at their home and at their cabin. She loved spending time with her family and was always willing to spoil her grandchildren with treats. She loved drawing and coloring and especially loved taking care of her family. Brenda had a servant heart and was a very hard worker. The Lord blessed her with a green thumb and she, in turn, blessed many with samplings from her plants. She loved attending Set Free Church with her sister and knew and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Brenda held many jobs over the years, but for the last 13 she worked for School District #25 as a custodian. She enjoyed working near children — being a ‘grandma’ to many in her hallway and always having a ‘goodie’ to share.
Survivors include her husband, Albert Hill of Riverton; son, Morgan and his wife, Shay Skipper of Georgia; daughter, Brandi and her husband, Corey Vogelsang of Riverton; brother, Rod and his wife Sally Magoon of Michigan; sister, Cyndi and husband Richard Mills of Riverton; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Davis Funeral Home. Online condolences for the family may be made at the theDavisFuneralHome.com. Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.
Brian Thomas Andersen
Brian Thomas Andersen — a caring and loving, son, brother and uncle — died unexpectedly on Sunday, November 3, 2019, at his residence in Eaton Rapids. Brian, 41, of Eaton Rapids, was born on May 3, 1978, in Hammond, IN, to Tom and Fran (Burke) Andersen. Family meant the world to Brian. If there was a family event, he was there. Brian traveled regionally with his grandfather and father to be fur trader re-enactors. If anyone asked Brian for help, he was always there to assist them. Fixing things came natural to Brian, and he didn’t just fix it, he improved it. Brian was an avid welder, and he worked as a welder for the last several years. This led to him being a very talented fabricator. Other passions for Brian included the Chicago Bears, hunting coyote and pistol shooting.
Brian is survived by his parents, Tom and Fran; sisters, Kim (Chris) Palmer, Erica (Mark) Hampton; nieces, Josette Hampton, Cadence Palmer, Clare Palmer; nephew, Caleb Palmer; and grandfather, David Andersen.
A memorial service for Brian will be held on Friday, November 22, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. There will be a visitation just prior, from 1 to 2 p.m. Friends and family are asked to share memories of Brian on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Ruth A. Trowbridge
Ruth Ann Trowbridge, age 87, of Charlotte, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born February 19, 1932, in Corunna, the daughter of Virgil and Foryst (Jakeway) Yerrick. Ruth adored her family and always looked forward to spending time together. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Ruth had a great sense of humor and quick wit. She always kept everyone on their toes waiting for the next punch line. Ruth enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading and traveling. She loved country music and made yearly trips to Florida, always making a stop in Nashville. Ruth was a staunch Democrat and was very active in local politics. She retired after many years of service from Michigan Bell Telephone and later from United Way, where she worked as a labor liaison.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Pam (Barry) Walter of DeWitt; son, Todd (Susanne Rodriguez) Trowbridge of Charlotte; grandchildren: Todd (Neisha) Trowbridge Jr., Zachary Walter, Sean Larabee, Ryan Rausch, Jen Rausch; 8 great grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; and sister, Marge Corden of Holt.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon Trowbridge; daughter, Deb Rausch; son, Scott Trowbridge; sisters: Audrey Flagg, Marlene Pierce; and brother, Virgil Yerrick Jr.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Inurnment will take place at Kalamo Hillside Cemetery at a later date.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Ruth’s memory to the Capital Area United Way, 330 Marshall St., #203, Lansing MI 48912.
To view Ruth’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.