Richard Coverly

There are many words to describe Dick Coverly caring, generous, loving, even stubborn and bull-headed at times. He was a man of integrity and a wonderful role model for those around him. Perhaps the easiest and best way to describe Dick is just to say he was a great man. 1916 was a time of great upheaval in this country. Cities were busy with the constant influx of people looking for work, while overseas, soldiers took to the trenches as battles raged in the Great War World War I. Charles and Myra (McSorley) Coverly, living in Fremont, Michigan were awaiting the arrival of their seventh and final child. On February 25, 1916, Myra gave birth to a baby boy they named Richard. As he grew up, Richard, or Dick, found plenty to do in the company of his brothers Cecil, Rolland and Leon, along with his sisters Bertha, Helen and Jesse. Charles and Myra worked hard to care and provide for their growing family. Charles was employed by Campbell Foundry, while Myra balanced being a homemaker and a baker at Moon School. Young Dick spent his early years on the farm in Fremont until the family moved to Muskegon. As a teenager, mischief was often the order of the day. He frequently jumped a streetcar to go to the Ovals at Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon. His goal was to spend the day swimming. Or he might have gotten caught as he snuck into Marsh Field, a large baseball facility in Muskegon, to watch a game or two. But Dick was not a bad boy. He knew the benefits of hard work, and as he got older, and the depression began, he delivered produce milk to help make ends meet. Walking miles to work in the fields or hitchhiking north to pick cherries was all part of a hard days work for this young man. Dick attended Muskegon Public School, where he played football in high school. In 1934, he marched with the rest of his graduating class, dressed in the new suit he bought with money earned picking cherries. However, a new suit was not the only thing Dick earned, in his senior year, he met a young beauty named Martha Vanderlaan, and soon earned her love. Marrying shortly after graduation, Dick and his new bride set up housekeeping in their summer home a house trailer at Dicks beloved Ovals and spent the winters in an apartment in town. Dick, like his father, worked in a foundry, and would return each night, knowing he would be cleaning the fish that Martha had caught that day. This was one of the many things they had in common both loved to fish. As time went on, Dick built a new home on Memorial Drive, just north of town. They couldnt wait to get out on the lake, so while they were building their house they also built their first boat in their living room. Whether on the boat, or at home, Dick enjoyed the company of friends and family. They had a wonderful life together, blessed with the births of their three sons Chuck, Ronald, and Jack. The three boys grew up in a loving home. They spent much of their time fishing with Mom and Dad, and using Muskegon Lake to its fullest. Dick worked as an accountant and then vice-president at Lakey Foundry and Harbor Industries. He loved to spend his leisure time playing cards, golfing and fishing with family and friends. He and Martha often went camping in Beulah, Michigan in their motor home. One year, finding himself between jobs, they spent three months in California. He had many happy memories of trips to the East Cost and Ft. Desoto, Florida. When not working, traveling or fishing, Dick liked to invent. Games were his specialty. Working away in his little workshop, he was happiest making things for his grandchildren. He was a product of the Depression, and would rather make things than buy them. In 1988 Dick was devastated by the loss of his beloved Martha. A long lifetime friend, Thelma Whitney, lost her husband around the same time, and she and Dick soon found comfort in each others company. They were married on November 26, 1991. Sadly, after almost 16 years together, Dick passed away on October 18, 2007. Dick was blessed with being able to go back to the home he built so many years ago on Memorial Drive, which is now owned by his son and daughter-in-law. Ron and Sue were able to take care of him for the last month of his life where he was able to relive a lifetime of memories. Dick Coverly will be remembered for his dedication and pride in his profession, his love of fishing and working in his workshop, and most importantly, the love and protection of his family. He truly was a great man, who made the world a better place for all those who knew him. Mr. Richard F. Coverly, age 91, died Thursday, October 18, 2007. Survivors include his wife, Thelma; son, Ron (Susan) Coverly of Muskegon; daughter-in-law, Jan Coverly of Montague; 5 grandchildren, Ken (Lynn) Coverly, Kim (Loren) Lord, Kris Coverly, Steve (Holly) Coverly, Olivia (Troy) Simpson; step-son, Darold (Mary) Whitney of Muskegon; step-daughter, Eilien (Charles) Budwick of Muskegon; 6 step-grandchildren; many great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Martha in 1988; 2 sons, Charles a daughter at birth; 3 brothers, Cecil, Rolland 3 sisters, Bertha, Helen & Jesse. Services will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, 1:00 PM at the Clock Chapel with Rev. Ben Jansen officiating. Visitation is Tuesday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Those wishing may make a memorial donation to the Red Cross or Heartland Hospice. Please visit Dicks personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.