James Lauer

James Robert Lauer, age 84, was born and raised in Petoskey, moved to Kentwood in 1965, and in retirement lived in Grandville. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, October 7, 2024.  Jim retired from Rose Johnson Furniture. He was a sports fan of the Lions, Tigers, and U of M Football. His hobbies included golf, bowling, and playing cribbage. He  will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Ginny; his children, Chris Waldron, Dave Lauer (Venita Heldt-Wilson); grandchildren, Travis Waldron (fiancée Sarah Kotarski), Madison (Tim) Smith, Heather (Brady) Cole; five great-grandchildren, Kimber, Carsyn, and Kaliber Smith, Xander and  Elliott Cole; sisters and brothers, Cecilia Pemberton, Dick (Betty) Lauer, Diane Hannan, Tim (Linda) Lauer, Barbara (Peter) Van Berlo, Janet (Rich) Wolf, Cindy (Martie) Van Berlo; sister-in-law, Carol Lauer; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Lauer; his niece, Elizabeth Van Berlo; nephew, Andrew Lauer; brother-in-law, Phil Pemberton; and his parents, Ed and Theresa (Kruzel) Lauer. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, October 19 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at the funeral home starting at 1:00 pm. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Ronald McDonald House.