Obituaries: Nov. 5, 2026

William De Witt Jr.

January 30, 1941-November 4, 2026

William (Bill) DeWitt Junior, age 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

Bill was born on January 30, 1941, to William G. and Martha DeWitt in Zeeland, Michigan.

Throughout his life, Bill had a love for farming, traveling, and the outdoors. He enjoyed the beauty of each changing season, meeting new people, and exploring different places. Farming held a special place in his heart and remained a meaningful part of his life throughout the years. Bill dedicated over 30 years to Bil Mar Foods in Zeeland, where he served in a variety of roles, primarily working on the farms and raising turkeys. Following his time at Bil Mar, he became the owner of BEI and Michigan Orchard Supply in South Haven, Michigan

Bill is survived by his children, Dawn and Kurt Brinks, Sandra and Jeff Kayes, Kelly DeWitt, and Kerri-Sue and James Smits; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandson and his sister, Shirley Marie DeDoes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William G. and Martha DeWitt; his siblings, Julia Morrison and Ray DeWitt; and his daughter-in-law, Kristen DeWitt.

A private family service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Midtown Counseling in Holland, Michigan donorbox.org/esperanza-fund. This is a nonprofit organization providing accessible, affordable, professional, and trauma-informed Christian counseling.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William De Witt Jr., please visit our Sympathy Store.

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Sharlene "Shar" Suzanne (Gustafson) Jones

April 3, 1936-October 21, 2026

Sharlene "Shar" Suzanne Jones, age 90, of Grand Haven, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Robbinswood Assisted Living.

She was born on April 3, 1936, in Muskegon, Michigan, to the late George and Leona (Anderson) Gustafson. Shar married Madison Jones on April 29, 1955, in Muskegon. They later resided in Spring Lake, where they continued raising their five children. He preceded her in death on September 21, 1986.

Shar graduated from Muskegon Heights High School. You could always find her roller-skating or hanging out at the Youth Center on Mona Lake. Shar loved to sing and was a part of the "Sweet Adeline" and "Melodettes" choir groups, and placed runner-up in the Miss Muskegon Beauty Pageant in 1954.

Since she was an only child, Shar cherished spending time with her aunts who were only a few years older than her. They often took rides to Ludington, stopping for picnics along the way.

Shar made a career of writing classifieds for the Grand Haven Tribune. Over her 33 years there, she formed lasting friendships with her coworkers, sharing plenty of laughter and countless practical jokes.

Shar loved watching "Golden Girls," spoiling her dogs, spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and attending many family get-togethers. She spent much of her time traveling with her family. Her adventures included a memorable trip to Europe with Sandy's family, visits to Legs Inn and The Crow's Nest in Harbor Springs, Michigan, with Julie, motorhome trips to Saint Ignace and Nebraska with Janice's family, and annual trips to Drummond Island with Dale and Jill.

Shar also looked forward to taking several girls' trips each year to Michigan City and Traverse City with all her daughters, granddaughters, and friends, creating lasting memories filled with laughter, love, and togetherness. Shar immensely enjoyed morning coffee and conversation with her son Steve, finding happiness in the simple things that made life special. She always looked forward to her scenic rides with Connie, past the lake, with the occasional trip to Dairy Queen.

Shar is lovingly remembered and missed by her three daughters, Janice (John) Batka, Jill (Dale) Kinkema, and Julie Jones; her son, Steve Jones (Connie LaFrance); her son-in-law, Bruce Johnson; eight grandchildren, Chantal Johnson (Jourdon Gullett), Klare (Tyler) Barron, Maxwell (Sarah) Johnson, Audrey (Jacob) Kloostra, Calvin Batka, Hannah Batka, Amelia Lewis, and Madison Reavley; and five great-grandchildren, Vann, Goldie, Gunnar, Ellie, and Ledger.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her daughter, Sandra Johnson; and her best friend, Patricia Johnson, whom she considered a sister.

The celebration of life for Shar will be 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at Central Park Place in Grand Haven, with memorial programming beginning at 3 p.m. Interment will be at Spring Lake Township Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation or the Grand Haven Salvation Army.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sharlene "Shar" Suzanne (Gustafson) Jones, please visit our floral store.

Dr. Ronald Lyn Morse

August 11, 1952-November 2, 2026

Dr. Ronald Lyn Morse passed on November 2, 2026, at the age of 74.

Ronald was a resident of Holland, Michigan.

A celebration of Ronald's life will be held at a later date.

Louella Marie Rose

January 21, 1928-September 30, 2026

Louella Marie Rose (Johnson), 98, residing in Belmont, Michigan, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026.

Louella was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Rose; her parents, Albert and Josephine Johnson; her brothers, Frank (Marian), Donovan (Mary), Eugene (Betty), Julius Harold (Mary), and Walt; her sister, Marion (Willard); her daughter, Judith; and angel great-great-grandbabies.

She is remembered by her daughters, Debra (Jack) and Ruth; grandchildren, Scott, Todd, Brett, and Amanda (Scott); Jonathan (Kendra) and Melinda (Robert); Ann and Elizabeth (Kevin); great-grandchildren, Jeffery, Josh, Ethan, Ian, Todd, and Alicia, Christian (Xinia), Isaac, Dominic, Clara, Jaycee, Lakelynn, Addison, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers, AA members, patients, church members, school children, food pantry volunteers, and friends and neighbors across this country she loved.

Louella was born at home outside of Grand Haven, Michigan, to Albert and Josephine (Burghorn) Johnson on January 21, 1928. She had warm, loving memories of her parents and early family life in rural Michigan. Tragically, her mother developed brain cancer and passed away at just 42 years old, and two years later her father also died, leaving her and her siblings orphaned.

At only 12 years old, Louella faced a difficult life, unsure of who or what to trust for safety and sustenance. She and a young friend took to the open road on foot, dressed as “fellas” for safety, with the prospect of fruit-picking in Florida as the dream job for a couple of Michigan girls. They hitchhiked by day, and took to cornfields and woods to sleep by night. In St. Louis, she lost her traveling partner to a smooth-talking boy, and continued on alone.

Someone back in Michigan had caught wind of Louella’s scheme and alerted police along the route to be on the lookout for out-of-place Midwestern girls headed to pick oranges. She was picked up by police in Georgia, and the Ottawa County sheriff headed down to pick her up and bring her home.

Without a definite home to come back to, she lived with and nannied for the sheriff’s family for a few years. This situation had its own shelf life, and at 16-17 years old, Louella, armed with a doctored birth certificate, set off for Chicago with a friend.

These were difficult years, where a vulnerable teenage girl with few resources was forced to develop intuition about the intent of others, a resourcefulness to stay sheltered and fed, and emotional resiliency to keep from becoming hardened.

Louella shared some happy memories from this stage of life, but also much sadness. She began drinking, which had been at the root of her own father’s death, and was not careful with some of the company she kept. This peaked with what she would later describe as the most difficult event she endured. She carried an unplanned and unexpected pregnancy to full term, and turned the baby girl over to a young pastor and his wife to raise as their own.

At 96 years old, when sharing memories of this time, she still teared up when she remembered the bitter hardship of giving up a child. Yet she always wanted to honor the couple that provided the loving, stable home that she could not.

In her lowest and darkest time, God touched Louella with a deep spiritual experience. In Jesus, she came to know a Savior who forgave the mistakes of the past and would walk with her out of addiction and into a new, redeemed life.

She attended nursing school and worked a series of health care roles from Chicago to Seattle and eventually McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. There she met and married Raymond T. Riley. While the marriage would not survive the turmoil of their relationship, the couple was blessed with daughters Debra Jo and Ruth An-Alta.

Louella eventually brought the girls to Michigan to finish their upbringing, and continued her nursing career in Muskegon. Life as a single mother in the 1960-70s was not easy, but she taught her girls both the hard lessons she had learned and the love she found in Jesus.

Louella was excited to have grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren, and was quite involved in their care and upbringing throughout the second half of her life. She was strict at times, but never unkind, and often very amused — laughing to tears at their innocent silliness.

Always fond of children and being useful, she continued working in childhood reading programs in the Muskegon and then Wichita public schools until she was 90 years old.

Louella was quirky and independent, and not the safest driver. She moved houses and jobs more often than most, and never fully escaped feelings of suspicion toward people or the memory of hunger and instability. From the outside, her lifelong search for the best herbal supplements or next health innovation could seem excessive, but then she nearly outlived us all!

Throughout nearly ten full decades of life, she proved her personal resilience and reliance on her Lord Jesus. She was always on the lookout for people around her in need, and while some might take advantage of her kindness, she continued to err on the side of compassion. She wore out several Bibles from studying, annotating, and rereading them. She gifted and donated far more wealth than she ever invested, and prayed constantly.

We have lost a cheerful, devout, and loving woman from our lives. We will miss her laughter and eccentricities, and remain grateful to have shared even part of her long life with her.

A service will be held in her memory at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, 2026, at Vineyard North Church, 4700 Northland Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49525.

The family is being served by The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services.

Dennis Mark Stine

October 24, 1951-October 31, 2026

Dennis Mark Stine, age 75, of Hudsonville, Michigan, peacefully passed away on October 31, 2026, at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital.

He was truly one of a kind — a man who lived a life without limits, could do absolutely everything, and left an undeniable mark on everyone who knew him. There will never be another like him.

Born on October 24, 1951, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Glenn and Jacqualine Stine, Dennis grew up with a fiercely patriotic spirit and a lifelong passion for aviation. After graduating from Godwin Heights High School, he channeled that drive into serving his country and community, spending 22 dedicated years in the Michigan Army National Guard. As a highly skilled maintenance test pilot, he mastered the skies, commanding his absolute favorite aircraft, the iconic UH-1 Huey. He possessed a rare combination of courage, sharp intellect, and steady hands, taking on the high-stakes challenges of a test pilot with precision and passion.

Following his military retirement, Dennis continued his legacy of service by teaching aviation maintenance and mechanics at Kent ISD for 17 years, inspiring the next generation with his deep knowledge and practical wisdom. Beyond his professional achievements, Dennis lived a life defined by caring, giving, mentoring, and laughter. He was affectionately known as "everyone’s Dad" — the man who could fix anything around the house and was always there to offer a helping hand or a good joke.

Yet, for all his adventures in the skies and classrooms, his greatest joy was found on the ground with his family and friends. Dennis poured a larger-than-life energy into being a grandfather, fiercely loving his grandchildren and constantly cheering them on from the sidelines of their sporting events. His stories, immense talents, and fierce individuality will be desperately missed but never forgotten.

Dennis is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Ella Stine; children, Natalie and Matt Preston, and Angie and Nathan Garrett; cherished grandchildren, Dylan Stine, Jacob Preston, Madalynn Preston, Vincent Preston, Kylee Cook, Owen Cook, Nyan Garrett, Ari Garrett, and Rais Garrett; and siblings, Diane Byl, Kimberly and Craig Salzwedel, Daina Veldheer, Diane Jenkins, Mitch and Claudia Thornton, and Marcus and Jane Thornton; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Jacqualine Stine; sister, Glenna Garlock; and grandsons, Conner Preston and Levi Garrett.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2026, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East Building), 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Cook Memorial Chapel, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service.

Full military honors will be performed. In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial contribution to the Wounded Warriors Project or the American Cancer Society. The family welcomes memories and messages at cookcaresgrandville.com in their online guestbook.

Judith L. Suckling

May 5, 1931-November 3, 2026

Judith L. Suckling, age 95, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 3, 2026.

Judith loved baking, sewing, quilting, and volunteering. She had a servant’s heart and spent her time volunteering at St. Mary’s Hospital Gift Shop as well as with the Red Cross. Judith was one of the nicest people you could meet.

She always had a smile on her face and a warm and welcoming personality; however, whenever she played a “Judy card game,” the rules (which she was often the only player who knew them) had a record of changing them halfway through — much to the surprise of the other players! Judith retired from Consumers Energy after working there for many years. She cherished time spent with her family and loved her title of Grandma and GG — which she wore with pride! She loved her Lord and Savior and strove to live out her life after Christ — which she passed on to her family. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew her. The family would like to extend a special thank you to those at Boulder Creek Assisted Living and Corso Care Hospice for their care and compassion for Mom.

Judith is remembered by her children, David (Mary Anne) Suckling, Terry (Terry) Sack; grandchildren, Becky (Ryan) Grasmeyer, Sarah (Al) Reickard, Christian (Elayna) Sack, Derek (Caitlin Moulds) Suckling, Audrey (RJ) Oom; 11 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lorna Brown; and many extended relatives and friends.

Judith is preceded in death by her husband, George D. Suckling; parents, Herbert and Marion Brown; and brother, Tom Brown.

A celebration of Judith’s life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 12, 2026, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East Building), 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418, with visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Judith will be laid to rest at Grandville Cemetery next to George. In memory of Judith and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grandville-Jenison Congregational Church. The family welcomes memories and messages at cookcaresgrandville.com in Judith’s online guestbook.