Carlton L. Church

Carlton L. Church, age 84 of Byron Center, formerly of Caledonia, passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at Byron Center Manor. He was born in Grand Rapids on September 20, 1932 to Clara (Heinbeck) and Arthur Church. Carl was preceded in death by his parents, his three siblings and his first wife of 51 years, Maxine (Herring). He is survived  by his wife of 11 years, Bernice (Anderson) Church; daughters, Karen (Mark) Bergeron, Connie (Thad) Nowak, Teresa (Mike) Stuckey, Virginia (Gordon) Nichoson; son, Bradley (Tricia); step-children, James Anderson and Cheryl (John) Mroz; grandchildren, Robert (Megan) Stuckey, Jeffrey (Nikki) Nowak, Erin (Brian) Barr, Benjamin (Erin) Nowak, Courtney (Chandous) Jones, Chelsea Vredevoogd, Derek and Shelby Nichoson; great-grandchildren, Jameson, Piper, Ella, Sloane and Riley; his cousin, Betty Cole and several nieces and nephews. He also had several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren and he loved it when one of them, Hailey, went to visit him at Byron Manor and did activities with him. Carl served in the Michigan National Guard. He retired from Consumers Power in 1986 after 35 years of service. In his leisure time, he enjoyed golfing, playing cards and traveling. He loved to eat, especially sweets and specifically pie. Carl never knew a stranger and his warm and welcoming smile will be missed by many.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. John Vianney Church, 4101 Clyde Park Ave. SW, Wyoming. Entombment at Resurrection Cemetery.  Visitation for Carl will be on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park Ave. SW, Wyoming, with a prayer service held at 7 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John Vianney Building Fund. The family wishes to express gratitude for the loving care Carl received from his caretakers and friends at Byron Manor and Emmanuel Hospice.