Earl Kenneth Mandeville

Earl Mandeville, age 86, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2023 at Vista Springs Riverside Gardens. Earl was born in Grand Rapids and was a proud graduate of Central High School (Class of ’55) where he excelled in the classroom and as a three-season athlete. He then attended Northwestern University on an NROTC scholarship and served in the Navy for 3 years. After his service he returned to Central to begin his career in education as a teacher, coach and assistant principal. He married the love of his life, Judy Venisnik, on December 22, 1962 after meeting her at Great Lakes Naval Base. He later earned his master’s degree from Michigan State University. In 1982, he became the Financial Aid Director at Grand Rapids Community College, a job he enjoyed until his retirement in 1992, the same year he received GRCC’s Excellence in Education award. Earl was a man of integrity, kindness and calmness and a wonderful husband and father. Despite living with Alzheimer’s for the past six years, he retained his affable personality, never had a complaint and always a ready smile. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; sister, Lois Moul; brothers in law, Ken Venisnik and John Venisnik. He will be greatly missed by his loving daughters, Lynne (Steve) Barnhart and Sherry (John) Knoppers; grandchildren, Kyle (Rhiannon) Barnhart, Kevin Barnhart, Kelsie (Nate) Thomas and Landon and Logan Knoppers; great grandson, Arden Knoppers; mother-in-law, Emma Venisnik; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be at MKD Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Drive in Belmont on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 2 p.m., with a visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the GRCC Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association.