Richard " Dick " Settler

Richard Dick Settler was a generous and trustworthy man, who throughout his life strove to be the best father, husband, grandfather and friend possible. He was fun loving and compassionate with a strong devotion to the principles of both hard work and a devoted faith. Dick knew that true joy in life comes not from material possessions, but the lifelong friends and loving family that surround you. The early 1920s were a collage of interesting events. There were power struggles in Russia, Babe Ruth was setting baseball records, and the first Miss America was crowned. But for most of the people living in the farming community of Hart, Michigan, such happenings were nothing more than headlines in a newspaper. This was the life of Edward and Mary (Monton) Settler. The Settlers owned a farm in Weare Township, which was known as Settlers Corner, from which they earned their living. Already the proud parents of daughter, Lillian, on November 13, 1920, the couple welcomed the birth of their son, Richard, who completed the Settler household. Dick was only 7 when his parents divorced and he and his sister went to live with their mother in Muskegon. Dick's mother remarried & Dick's brother, Henry "Bud" Carpenter was born in 1935. He received his education at Oakview Elementary and Muskegon High School, though he left high school during the Great Depression to work as an orderly at Hackley Hospital. Then, in 1941, Dick followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served on the Eltare during his tour of duty, which luckily was out to sea when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. Dick received his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1945. In 1947, a wonderful thing happened to Dick he married his first true love, Frances Brase, and they shared 20 happy years together. In 1950, the couple was blessed with their only child, son Craig, who brought them great pride and joy. Dick and Fran raised their son in Muskegon in a home at 1945 Barbara, which they bought in 1955. The house was only half built when they bought it and all their neighbors rallied around to help them finish it, including their longtime friend, Smitty. Dick provided well for his family working at the Campbell, Wyant and Cannon Foundry, where he remained a loyal, hardworking employee for 36 years. Although Dicks life was happy, it was also filled with great sorrow. Dick lost his beloved Fran in August 1967 of cancer after 20 years of marriage, a deep loss he never truly got over. In 1969, their son, Craig, graduated from Orchard View High School and shortly thereafter, left to follow in his fathers footsteps, serving in the U.S. Navy. In fact, Craig became a career Navy man. It was also in this year that Dick found love again with longtime friend, Virginia Ginny Lloyd, and they were happily married on June 28, 1969. Ginny brought more than just her love into Dicks life; she had a son, Bob, from a previous marriage, and he and Dick grew very close over the years. As a couple, Dick and Ginny loved to go dancing, and many nights they put on quite a show on the dance floor so much so people would stop to watch them. They also loved to travel and took many unforgettable trips over the years to places like Hawaii, Jamaica, Acapulco, Bahamas and Disney World. This undoubtedly kept them busy, but as Dick always said Do it while youre young. Dick retired from Campbell, Wyant and Cannon on April 1, 1980, which gave him more leisure time to pursue some of his hobbies. When he wasnt traipsing around the country on a new adventure, Dick enjoyed going hunting, tending to his garden or fixing things around the house. A perfectionist, he was very particular about the way his grass was cut and was proud of how meticulous it always looked. But that wasnt all that Dick was finicky about; he was also picky about his food. Good thing that Ginny was a great cook and he enjoyed her cooking. As a grandfather, Dick always beamed with pride when it came to his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. He also had a soft spot for birds, especially those that frequented his feeders, along with his pet squirrels, and 2 dogs, Tasha and Suzi. One of Dicks lifelong passions was for collecting statues and memorabilia of bulls, a collection he proudly displayed in his home. Dick wasnt old fashioned in his thinking when it came to technology; he enjoyed keeping up on all the newest stuff. Dick was a member of the First Baptist Church, and a man of great faith. In 1996, Dick began to suffer with Emphysema and his health started to slowly deteriorate. Over the next several years, he was compassionately cared for by Hackley VNS Hospice, and he took pictures of the nurses and aids that came to call on him, so to remember their wonderful care. On Thursday, July 10, 2008, Dick died at the age of 87, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Dick Settler was the kindest, most caring man who tried each day to share his happiness with his loved ones. He will be deeply missed. Dick is survived by his wife of 39 years, Virginia; sons, Craig (Nuala) Settler of MD, Robert (Fimmy) Hosler of Ravenna; 16 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; sister, Lillian (Robert) Tafel of AZ; brother-in-law, Richard (Shirley) Lloyd of AK; sisters-in-law, Judy Carpenter of Muskegon, Doris Dunn of FL, Betty Lloyd of Muskegon; many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances Brase Settler; parents & brother, Henry 'Bud' Carpenter. Services for Dick will be held on Monday, July 14, at 1:00 p.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Chapel of Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon, with Rev. John H. Brown officiating and Military Rites under the auspices of the Muskegon County Council Veterans. Interment will be at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Friends and relatives may visit with Dicks family on Sunday, July 13, from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to Hackley VNS Hospice. Please visit Dicks memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book.