I cut his hair for 30 years or more.,shared a lot of stories. He always had a new joke to tell,uusally off color, and he sure liked those Oldsmobiles. I will miss him.
Bill Wing
Start, Lewis James
Lewis James Start, age 81, of Grandville, passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 4, 2011. He was born on May 26, 1930 into a world of women. Lewis had four sisters and three daughters who all adored him. He graduated from Godwin High School in 1948. He was a one gal guy and felt lucky to marry his high school sweetheart. They enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage. Lewis was proud to serve his country as a Staff Sgt. in the US Air Force during the Korean War. He retired from General Motors after 35 years at the Stamping Plant. In his lifetime he traveled to every state of the union and many locations abroad. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Nina Fern and sister, Elsie Starkweather. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis (Oppenneer) Start; daughters, Linda (Brad Abel) Start, Laura (Jerry) Hilaski, Luanne (Steve) VanderLaan; three grandchildren, Aaron (Sarah) Rocheleau, Elizabeth and Nicholas Abel; and one great-granddaughter, Rebekah Rocheleau. He is also survived by sisters, Betty Kuhlman, Sylvia Houseman, and Virginia (Merle) Onan; in-laws, Harold Oppenneer, Rosalie Polaschik, and Maxine and Don Minkus. He will be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews, and friends. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:00 am at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home, (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive. Interment Oak Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Golden “G” Scholarship Fund at Godwin Heights High School.Guestbook
Lewis Start
August 8, 2011
Phyllis and family: We would like to express our deepest sympathy .our Father knows our special needs . so lean on Him . In christian love the Horton sisters Mick, Phyllis Glenda and Elaine
Elaine De Ruiter
Elaine De Ruiter
As a coworker, Lew was always a gentleman and a friend. My sincere condolences to his family.
Jim Gilbert
Jim Gilbert
Our Uncle Lewie was the epitome of the "family man", not just his immediate family but his extended family. He was always there for us at weddings, births, graduations, throughout our lives, our kids' lives and our grandkids' lives. However, he did not
work solo. It was always Uncle LewieandAunt Phyllis as one, loving and supporting us. He will be missed beyond expression and his smile will brighten Heaven.
Nieces and Nephews
work solo. It was always Uncle LewieandAunt Phyllis as one, loving and supporting us. He will be missed beyond expression and his smile will brighten Heaven.
Nieces and Nephews
It was "back in the day" at Godwin School I first met Lewis. Even as a teen-age boy he was a gentleman. Always kind to all. We girls all thought he was a great guy, but we knew that Phyllis was the love of his life. God blessed them with a good marriage,
and he will be missed.. Phyllis and children please accept my deepest sympathy.
June Scott Barber
and he will be missed.. Phyllis and children please accept my deepest sympathy.
June Scott Barber
Linda and family, I wish I could be there to tell you all in person how sorry I am for you. I know how much you love your family. I will say an extra prayer for him and for you. Many big hugs until we get to see you, Diane
Diane Kalata
Diane Kalata
Mrs Start, Linda, Laura, Luanne and families, I am so sorry- I have many happy memories of Lewie. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Jane Jindra-parman
Jane Jindra-parman
I go way back of knowing Lewie, Iremember him and his family from the Free Methodist Church, and Godwin High. He was a great guy.
Evylena Dailey Vaughan
Evylena Dailey Vaughan
Laura and Luann, sorry for your your loss. You and your family are in my prayers
Liane Aupperlee
Liane Aupperlee
Farewell & rest in peace to a fellow Godwin alumni & fellow GM retiree.
Ed Quint
Ed Quint

family and support group, and we are sure that she knows that we are always here for her
Lee and Ann Neugent