Richard Groeneveld

Mr. Richard Groeneveld, age 91, passed away Sunday morning, October 26, 2008, at the Poppen House. He was born August 26, 1917 in Muskegon Heights to William and Ida (Noorman) Groeneveld and had been a life resident of the area. Rich graduated from Howell School of Business in 1941 and then served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1942 - 1945, spending 25 months in the European area where he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. He was a member of Algot Johnson Post #69 of the American Legion. Following WW II, he worked in the engineering department of Muskegon Motor Specialties. In 1949, he became co-owner of Hi-Lo Dairy until it merged in 1969 with Farr View Dairy. He retired as a Route Supervisor for McDonald Dairy in November of 1979 and enjoyed retirement with his wife Jeanette. Rich served on the Muskegon Christian School Board for nine years; and served as President for six years during the construction of the present school on Eastgate Street. He was a former member and elder of Muskegon Heights Christian Reformed Church. He then became a member and served as an elder of Calvin Christian Reformed Church where he remained active with its Senior Group. On August 23, 1945 he married the former Jeanette Kalk and she preceded him in death on November 4, 2007. He was also preceded in death by his son, Douglas in November of 2000; 3 brothers, Gerrit, John and Sidney Groeneveld; and 1 sister, Elizabeth Curtis. SURVIVORS include 2 children, Diane (James) Hall of Gulf Breeze, FL and Debra (Scott) Tilton of North Muskegon; his daughter-in-law, Karyl Groeneveld of Olympia, WA; 2 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter; 1 sister, Alice VanderVeen of Jackson, MI and 1 sister-in-law, Edith Groeneveld of Grand Rapids. SERVICES will be 11 AM Thursday at Calvin Christian Reformed Church with his pastor, Rev. John Rop officiating. Burial will be in Mona View Cemetery. VISITATION with Rich's family will be 2-4 & 6-8PM Wednesday at The Sytsema Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 737 Apple Avenue 231-726-5210 MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to Calvin Christian Reformed Church.