Finkbeiner Richard (Dick)

Richard (Dick) Finkbeiner, age 80, of Grand Rapids, breathed his final earthly breath and took his first heavenly breath on Wednesday, January 27, 2016.  Dick was a kind and selfless man, always putting others before himself. He cherished his family dearly, always attending his family’s activities, especially those of his grandchildren. He retired from the General Motors Alpine Plant after 37 years of faithful service. Many knew him as the candy man, because he always had a pocket full of Smarties for the kids. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Nellie Finkbeiner; sister, Betty (Basarabski) Smith; sister-in-law, Judy Webber; brothers-in-law, Rich Apsey, and Boots Nielsen. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Helen (Webber); his children, Richard Jr. and Terri Finkbeiner, David and Robin Finkbeiner, Terri and Jeff Godfrey, Brenda and Joe Meade; his honorary daughter, Sherri Stanard; his grandchildren, Eric Finkbeiner, Trisha and Jeremy Malec, Holly and Jeff Drew, Kyle Finkbeiner, Nick (Josh McCoy) Finkbeiner, Jeffrey and Martha Godfrey, Amanda and Joe Koperski, Corey (Beth Holland) Meade, Cody Meade, Brooke Meade; his great-grandchildren, Julian, Jackson, Sophia, Aria, Sydney, Levi; sister, Dee (Apsey) Nielsen, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Patty and Bob Vander Meer, Sandy (Larry Garber) Webber, Sonny Webber; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive SW with Pastor Dennis Gilbert officiating.  Interment Rest Lawn Memorial Park.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm and Monday from 1-2 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to his special neighbors. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the American Lung Association.