Mr. Harvey J. Budnik of Whitehall 

Mr. Budnik, age 93, died March 11, 2010. He was born May 28, 1916, in Ludington, to John and Helen (Zywicki) Budnik. On July 27, 1968, in Whitehall, he married the former Goldie Bahr Arnouts. Mr. Budnik proudly served in the US Army Air Corp, an air crew chief, he was stationed at Clark Air Force Base, in the Phillipines during World War II. An avid fisherman, he loved fishing on the Lake Michigan, loved to dance, his favorite music Polka Music, and wintering in Arizona. Mr. Budnik was a member of Algot Johnson American Post #69, a Life member of White Lake Eagles Aerie #3214, a Life member of the Moose Lodge and a Life member of White Lake VFW Post #3256. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward Budnik and Emery Budnik.

FAMILY: His wife, Goldie; his children, Janice (Tom) Kelly, Sharon (Chet) Reed and Lloyd (Maria) Budnik; step-children, Gerald (Vicki) Arnouts, Ronald (Loydell) Arnouts, Lola (Waymon) Ellis, Michael (Cheri) Arnouts and Bonnie (Larry) Damm; 23 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; 3 sister-in-laws, Natalie Budnik, Carol Harrigan & Mildred Bahr; 1 brother-in-law, Robert Landis.

MEMORIAL GATHERING & MILITARY SALUTE: Will be held, at a later date, at White Lake VFW Post #3256, 9370 Walsh Rd., Montague.

DONATIONS: MHP Visiting Nurses & Hospice, 888 Terrace St., Muskegon, 49441.
 

Mr. Joseph A. Carlson "The Formica Man" of  Twin Lake 

Mr. Carlson, age 69, died March 10, 2010. He was born June 7, 1940, in Grand Haven, to Carl and Josephine (Rosneck) Carlson. After proudly serving in the US Army, on December 8, 1962, he married the former Muriel "Doty" Lowden. He was self-employed for over 20 years, known as "The Formica Man", retiring in 2005. Mr. Carlson was an avid outdoorsman, with a passion for hunting and fishing and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers.

FAMILY: His wife, Doty; 2 daughters, Carmen (Will) Berghuis and their children, Marie & Michael, and Elizabeth Hoppa, and her children, Jake & Olivia; 1 sister, Patricia (Donald) Brown; 1 brother, Richard (Lois) Carlson; nieces & nephews.

MEMORIAL VISITATION: Friday, 6-8 PM and Saturday, 1-3 PM, at Clock Funeral Home, 413 S. Mears Ave., Whitehall.

MILITARY SALUTE: Following prayer by Rev. Ben Jansen Jr., White Lake VFW Post #3256 will conduct a Military salute, at the funeral home in Whitehall.

DONATIONS: American Cancer Society, 12723 N. Bellwood, Suite 20, Holland 49424.
 

Mrs. Dorothy J. (Schlick) Beesing of Whitehall 

Mrs. Dorothy Jane (Schlick) Beesing passed away on March 8, 2010. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 26, 1914. On August 9, 1941, she married her beloved husband of 68 years, Sheldon K. Beesing.

Sheldon survives along with 2 sons, Jon E. (Kathleen) Beesing of New York and Ross (Kathleen) Beesing of Denver, and a daughter, Karen Beesing St. Amand of Whitehall; 6 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathryn Lindgren.

The Beesing family would like to acknowledge and thank Harbor Hospice for their care and attention, especially her nurse, Erin Hicks and her caregiver, Traci VanGeison, and special friends, Jo Houghteling and Kathleen Harrie.

According to her wishes, there will be no services. Cremation has taken place.
 

Mr. Zachary J. Schultz of North Muskegon 

Zachary John Schultz, age 29, died Saturday, February 20, 2010. He was born September 28, 1980, in Muskegon, to John and Kathie (Nummerdor) Schultz. A hard worker with a strong work ethic, he owned and operated Schultz Sewer & Drain Cleaning Service.  An avid hunter, fisherman and all-around outdoorsman, Zach was happiest being in and around nature.

He is survived by 1 son, Jacob Schultz; 2 step-sons, Kegan & Kaden Wesley; his mother, Kathie Schultz; a sister, Kristen Schultz; grandparents, Thomas & Artis Nummerdor and William Schultz; aunts, uncles, cousins and Jim. Zach was preceded in death by his father, John Schultz, the mother of his children, Alicia Wesley, an infant daughter, Jaden Schultz, and his grandmother, Angela Schultz.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Thursday, February 25, 2010, at 4:00 PM, at Clock Chapel-Whitehall, with the Rev. Craig D. Cramblet officiating.

VISITING HOURS: Thursday, 2:00-4:00 PM, at Clock Funeral Home, 413 S. Mears Ave., Whitehall.

DONATIONS: Schultz Family Expense Fund, c/o Clock Funeral Home of White Lake, Box 128, Whitehall 49461
 

Mrs. Ruth A. Gerhart of Whitehall 

Ruth Alma Gerhart, age 84, died February 21, 2010. She was born November 2, 1925, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Cadle C. and Rose Marie (Gray) Irick. She was married to James M. Gerhart, who preceded her in death in 2002. Ruth and Jim moved to Whitehall in 1970. Mrs. Gerhart worked in various dental practices in Muskegon and Norton Shores until retiring. She was preceded in death by 2 sisters.

She is survived by her children, James Cadle (Cheri) Gerhart and Elaine R. (Royce) Fillmore, her grandchildren, James I. Gerhart and Margaret E. Gerhart, and a great-grandson, Jack M. Gerhart.

FUNERAL LITURGY: Thursday, February 25, 2010, at 1:00 PM, at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, 150 Church St., Lakewood Club, with the Rev. Fr. Donn P. Tufts presiding. Interment will be made in Oakhurst Cemetery-Whitehall.

VISITING HOURS: Thursday, 12:00 PM (Noon) until service time, at the church in Lakewood Club.

DONATIONS: Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave., Suite 400, Muskegon 49441 or Christian Care Senior
Care, 1150 McLaughlin Ave., Muskegon 49442.
 

Mr. Donald J. "Don" Smith of Rothbury 

Donald J. "Don" Smith, age 66 of Rothbury passed away after his battle with cancer on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at home surrounded by his family.  Don was born on March 5, 1943 in Muskegon, MI to Clarence and Ruth Smith.  On June 7, 1969, he married Arlene Anderson at the Congregational Church in Whitehall.  Don was employed for 16 years at Funnell's Barbershop in Whitehall as a barber and then went to work for Hayes Lemmerz until his retirement in 2006.  Don was a hard, conscientious worker who earned the respect of those who worked along side him.  Don will be fondly remembered by many for loving to spend time with his family, being a people person, and an outdoor enthusiast.  Don greatly enjoyed the outdoors and spent his free time bird watching, hunting, fishing, or trapping.  When he wasn't communing with nature, he loved playing catch, cribbage, riding quad, or sitting around the campfire with his family.  Don also loved to meet new people and swap stories with old friends at his home.  He will be greatly missed by his wife, Arlene, son, Jacob (Amy) Smith, brother, Raymond (Dona) Smith, grandchildren, Hana, Jarrett and Jenna Smith, numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. 

MEMORIAL SERVICE:  Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 4:00 PM, at Rothbury Community Church, 2500 W. Winston Rd., Rothbury.   

VISITATION:  1 hour prior to service. 

DONATIONS: Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave., Suite 400, Muskegon, MI  49441.
 

Mr. Virgil H. Bliss of Montague 

Mr. Bliss, age 88, died February 10, 2010. He was born August 28, 1921, to Frank and Eliza (Wilson) Bliss in Fruitport. On March 8, 1940, in North Muskegon, he married the former Mamie Zika. After proudly serving in the US Army in the Pacific in World War II, he worked in the auto parts business, opening and owning a NAPA store in Frankfort. He later worked for and retired from D & R Automotive in Frankfort in 1994. He was preceded in death by 2 sisters and 2 brothers.

FAMILY:  His wife, Mamie; 2 sons, Robert (Vera) Bliss of Howard City and Donald (Karen) Bliss of Nunica; 4 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren.

MEMORIAL GATHERING: Sunday, February 14, 2010, from 2-5 PM, at Clock Funeral Home in Whitehall.

DONATIONS: Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave., Suite 400, Muskegon 49441.
 

Mr. Carl A. Klotz Jr. of  Hesperia 

Mr. Klotz, age 67, died February 7, 2010. He was born July 15, 1942, in Wheeling, WV, to Carl Sr. and Helen (Sutton) Klotz. He proudly served in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam Conflict and then served as a police officer in Troy, Ohio, and later for Mokena, Illinois for a total of 12 years. On August 14, 1976, in Illinois, he married the former Patsy Smith, and had lived in the Hesperia area the past 13 years, coming here from Downers Grove, IL. A member of Whitehall United Methodist Church, Mr. Klotz had worked for the Diebold Company over 38 years, and currently worked at Facilities Resource Group of Grandville. 

FAMILY: His wife, Pat; 1 son, Samuel (Gerri) Klotz of TX; 1 grandson, Samuel Klotz of TX.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Friday, February 12, 2010, at 6 PM, at Whitehall United Methodist Church, 117 S. Division St., Whitehall, with the Rev. Gayle S. Berntsen officiating. A MILITARY SALUTE will be held at the time of the service.

DONATIONS: Klotz Family Expense Fund, c/o Clock Funeral Home of White Lake, Box 128, Whitehall 49461