Lifestorynet.com
Some men search their whole lives for happiness driven by ambition or desire. Richard Karelse knew that to be a contented man you must first, by God's grace, serve the Lord. He was not only a man who knew the right path, but showed others the way also. He was a loving and faithful husband, father and grandfather, friend and a patriotic veteran. Richard was content with all the blessings and gifts he received both spiritually and materially. His commitment to serve God and others has touched and inspired many.
Richard's story began on a hot summer day in 1914, such exciting times in this country. America was enjoying many successes, as the automobile and the airplane were transforming our society, and a new middle class emerging to enjoy the rewards of its hard work. In the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cornelius and Ida (DeBruyn) Karelse were preparing for a big change, as well, with the birth of their seventh child.
On August 11, 1914, a hot, sunny Friday in the city, the couple celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Richard. The Karelse family lived on Quimby NE, and Richard's father supported his growing family as a woodworker at one of the many furniture companies for which the city was quickly becoming known.
The family were faithful members of the First Netherlands Reformed Congregation. Richard attended the Hastings Street Christian School, which was associated with his family's church. Richard's deep, lifelong devotion to the Lord was fostered from an early age in that school, in his church, and especially in his home, where he learned the Christian principles that guided him throughout his life.
Richard led a typically active childhood, playing with the neighborhood kids or chasing his older siblings around the house. He never lacked for role models to look up to, with his brothers and sisters around to help guide him. He attended Creston High School before transferring to Davis Tech High School downtown, where he graduated with the class of 1933.
After high school Richard took a job with the American Seating Company where he worked in the mail room. It was his personal life, not his professional life, that was about to get more interesting, however.
One day at church he noticed a beautiful young woman walk into the sanctuary, and thought to himself, "That's the girl I'm going to marry." After the service he introduced himself to that girl, named Marian DeMeester, and offered her a ride home. She accepted, beginning a lifelong love affair with a simple "Yes" on that Sunday evening.
Soon, however, the young couple would be separated by the darkening skies of World War II, which had finally reached our shores. Richard was drafted into the U.S. Army in December of 1941, right after Pearl Harbor, and left for basic training the next month, leaving his job and his beloved Marian behind.
Richard served in the Medical Corps in Army hospitals, where both G.I.s and German POWs were treated. In September of 1942, his sister Christine and Marian visited him at his duty station in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he promptly proposed to Marian. She of course accepted, and the next month he came back home on furlough and the two were married.
Richard was 27, and his new bride was all of 20 years old. He would always quip that he waited until he was 27 to marry because he had to wait for his bride to grow up first! They honeymooned back at Colorado Springs where he was stationed, a special time and place for them, in a marriage full of special times.
Before he was discharged from the service in St. Louis, the newlyweds settled there, living in a little mobile home trailer. Following his discharge, they moved that trailer back to Michigan, in the back of Marian's parents' home, while Richard worked on finding suitable housing for his soon to be growing family.
Richard went back to work at American Seating, eventually becoming the Office Manager of the mail department. Not long after his promotion, he and Marian celebrated the birth of their first child, son Ron, in 1947.
To provide for his growing family, Richard found a nice piece of land just outside the city, and with the help of his friends and family, built a beautiful home with his own hands. It took just over a year, but the finished home was wonderful, and had many modern touches, earning it acclaim in the Grand Rapids Press.
Two weeks after moving in to their new home, Richard and Marian welcomed their second child, a beautiful baby girl named Kathy. Two sons followed in the years to come, with Richard J. born in 1953 and Mark in 1956, rounding out the happy family.
In the mid 1950s, Richard went to work selling motor oil with his brother Cornelius, who operated Karelse Oil Distributing. Sadly, his brother died in the early 1960s, and after the business changed hands, Richard found work managing offices for a time before he began working for the City of Grand Rapids, in the Water Department. He enjoyed the work and kept the job until he retired from there at the age of 67.
Of course, men like Richard were never satisfied with the typical work week. He was the kind of man who seemed to have more hours in the day than the rest of us. He strongly believed in serving his community and was involved in serving the community as best he could. When the West YMCA was being built, he joined the Y's Men's Club to support the fund raising effort. He also served as bulletin editor for the club and at one time as the club president.
Ricard also served his community as a member of the Walker City Board of Zoning Appeals, a position he held for 25 years and even as the board chairman. He took this job seriously and would thoroughly investigate each case before making a recommendation. Richard often attended the Walker City Commission meetings, as well, and was never afraid to voice his opinion.
Ever an attentive and interested father, Richard was active in the Plymouth Christian School, where his children attended. He served as PTA president and was always volunteering on projects.
Richard's family was always of the utmost importance to him, of course. He worked five days a week to provide for them, with Saturday to spend with them, and Sundays to thank God for them. Saturdays were always special for the family. Together the Karelses would visit Lake Michigan which he loved so much. Grand Haven was always his favorite spot (even in wintertime), and they visited there often with their family friends, the Doumas. They'd get there in time for breakfast and stay until the setting sun lit up
When his kids were young, the family enjoyed so many great camping trips, either up north at Interlochen or the various state parks. Later, and after the children were grown and on their own, they camped in a pop-up trailer, and later a travel trailer traveling to New York State and the southeast, forming so many wonderful memories together.
Richard's entire family was very important to him, as well, especially his brothers and sisters and their families. The family would often picnic together in the summer months at one of the local parks. Often the many nieces and nephews would be there and together the extended family enjoyed sharing food and fellowship over the years.
Of course, Richard's faith was the most integral part of who he was, as a true Christian man of such great character and principle. Sundays were always reserved for rest and worship, first in the morning, then in the evening, with some dinner and fellowship in between. Richard's faith was unshakable and his word unquestionable.
Richard had a deep interest in current affairs and read the newspaper daily. He would form an opinion and wasn't afraid to share it and could often win an argument with his unusually quick wit and clever sense of humor.
He was also a fiercely independent person, who preferred to do things himself rather than rely on others, although he was quick to lend a helping hand to those in need.
After he retired, he and Marian continued to live in the home they built all those years before and enjoyed working in the yard and gardens. They'd visit the Grand Haven State Park just to enjoy the views. They were also avid walkers and together they would walk several miles a day.
Sadly, at the age of 88, Richard started to show signs of dementia and also became infected with the West Nile Virus. He spent the last 3 1/2 years at the Rest Haven Home where he was lovingly cared for by a professional and dedicated staff of very committed and caring Christian people.
Richard died Tuesday August 15, 2006. He will be remember Richard as a strong defender of his Christian principals, a hardworking husband and father who enjoyed his children and rejoiced with them when they married and had children of their own. He will also be remembered as a veteran and a patriot who defended America in word, deed and example. He will be so greatly missed.
Obituary
Grand Rapids Press
KARELSE - Mr. Richard Karelse aged 92 of Walker passed away Tuesday August 15, 2006. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Marian, his children: Ronald and Priscilla Karelse, Kathy and Dan DeMeester, Richard J. and Linda Karelse, Mark and Linda Karelse, his 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, his sister-in-law Eileen DeMeester and nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Rest Haven Home for their years of dedicated loving and faithful care they provided in a Christian environment. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien - Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. with Rev. William Fennema officiating. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Rest Haven Home would be appreciated. Mr. Karelse reposes at the funeral chapel where relatives and friends may meet with his family Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Please go to www.lifestorynet.com to read Richard's life story and share a memory or sign the on line register book.
Some men search their whole lives for happiness driven by ambition or desire. Richard Karelse knew that to be a contented man you must first, by God's grace, serve the Lord. He was not only a man who knew the right path, but showed others the way also. He was a loving and faithful husband, father and grandfather, friend and a patriotic veteran. Richard was content with all the blessings and gifts he received both spiritually and materially. His commitment to serve God and others has touched and inspired many.
Richard's story began on a hot summer day in 1914, such exciting times in this country. America was enjoying many successes, as the automobile and the airplane were transforming our society, and a new middle class emerging to enjoy the rewards of its hard work. In the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cornelius and Ida (DeBruyn) Karelse were preparing for a big change, as well, with the birth of their seventh child.
On August 11, 1914, a hot, sunny Friday in the city, the couple celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Richard. The Karelse family lived on Quimby NE, and Richard's father supported his growing family as a woodworker at one of the many furniture companies for which the city was quickly becoming known.
The family were faithful members of the First Netherlands Reformed Congregation. Richard attended the Hastings Street Christian School, which was associated with his family's church. Richard's deep, lifelong devotion to the Lord was fostered from an early age in that school, in his church, and especially in his home, where he learned the Christian principles that guided him throughout his life.
Richard led a typically active childhood, playing with the neighborhood kids or chasing his older siblings around the house. He never lacked for role models to look up to, with his brothers and sisters around to help guide him. He attended Creston High School before transferring to Davis Tech High School downtown, where he graduated with the class of 1933.
After high school Richard took a job with the American Seating Company where he worked in the mail room. It was his personal life, not his professional life, that was about to get more interesting, however.
One day at church he noticed a beautiful young woman walk into the sanctuary, and thought to himself, "That's the girl I'm going to marry." After the service he introduced himself to that girl, named Marian DeMeester, and offered her a ride home. She accepted, beginning a lifelong love affair with a simple "Yes" on that Sunday evening.
Soon, however, the young couple would be separated by the darkening skies of World War II, which had finally reached our shores. Richard was drafted into the U.S. Army in December of 1941, right after Pearl Harbor, and left for basic training the next month, leaving his job and his beloved Marian behind.
Richard served in the Medical Corps in Army hospitals, where both G.I.s and German POWs were treated. In September of 1942, his sister Christine and Marian visited him at his duty station in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he promptly proposed to Marian. She of course accepted, and the next month he came back home on furlough and the two were married.
Richard was 27, and his new bride was all of 20 years old. He would always quip that he waited until he was 27 to marry because he had to wait for his bride to grow up first! They honeymooned back at Colorado Springs where he was stationed, a special time and place for them, in a marriage full of special times.
Before he was discharged from the service in St. Louis, the newlyweds settled there, living in a little mobile home trailer. Following his discharge, they moved that trailer back to Michigan, in the back of Marian's parents' home, while Richard worked on finding suitable housing for his soon to be growing family.
Richard went back to work at American Seating, eventually becoming the Office Manager of the mail department. Not long after his promotion, he and Marian celebrated the birth of their first child, son Ron, in 1947.
To provide for his growing family, Richard found a nice piece of land just outside the city, and with the help of his friends and family, built a beautiful home with his own hands. It took just over a year, but the finished home was wonderful, and had many modern touches, earning it acclaim in the Grand Rapids Press.
Two weeks after moving in to their new home, Richard and Marian welcomed their second child, a beautiful baby girl named Kathy. Two sons followed in the years to come, with Richard J. born in 1953 and Mark in 1956, rounding out the happy family.
In the mid 1950s, Richard went to work selling motor oil with his brother Cornelius, who operated Karelse Oil Distributing. Sadly, his brother died in the early 1960s, and after the business changed hands, Richard found work managing offices for a time before he began working for the City of Grand Rapids, in the Water Department. He enjoyed the work and kept the job until he retired from there at the age of 67.
Of course, men like Richard were never satisfied with the typical work week. He was the kind of man who seemed to have more hours in the day than the rest of us. He strongly believed in serving his community and was involved in serving the community as best he could. When the West YMCA was being built, he joined the Y's Men's Club to support the fund raising effort. He also served as bulletin editor for the club and at one time as the club president.
Ricard also served his community as a member of the Walker City Board of Zoning Appeals, a position he held for 25 years and even as the board chairman. He took this job seriously and would thoroughly investigate each case before making a recommendation. Richard often attended the Walker City Commission meetings, as well, and was never afraid to voice his opinion.
Ever an attentive and interested father, Richard was active in the Plymouth Christian School, where his children attended. He served as PTA president and was always volunteering on projects.
Richard's family was always of the utmost importance to him, of course. He worked five days a week to provide for them, with Saturday to spend with them, and Sundays to thank God for them. Saturdays were always special for the family. Together the Karelses would visit Lake Michigan which he loved so much. Grand Haven was always his favorite spot (even in wintertime), and they visited there often with their family friends, the Doumas. They'd get there in time for breakfast and stay until the setting sun lit up
When his kids were young, the family enjoyed so many great camping trips, either up north at Interlochen or the various state parks. Later, and after the children were grown and on their own, they camped in a pop-up trailer, and later a travel trailer traveling to New York State and the southeast, forming so many wonderful memories together.
Richard's entire family was very important to him, as well, especially his brothers and sisters and their families. The family would often picnic together in the summer months at one of the local parks. Often the many nieces and nephews would be there and together the extended family enjoyed sharing food and fellowship over the years.
Of course, Richard's faith was the most integral part of who he was, as a true Christian man of such great character and principle. Sundays were always reserved for rest and worship, first in the morning, then in the evening, with some dinner and fellowship in between. Richard's faith was unshakable and his word unquestionable.
Richard had a deep interest in current affairs and read the newspaper daily. He would form an opinion and wasn't afraid to share it and could often win an argument with his unusually quick wit and clever sense of humor.
He was also a fiercely independent person, who preferred to do things himself rather than rely on others, although he was quick to lend a helping hand to those in need.
After he retired, he and Marian continued to live in the home they built all those years before and enjoyed working in the yard and gardens. They'd visit the Grand Haven State Park just to enjoy the views. They were also avid walkers and together they would walk several miles a day.
Sadly, at the age of 88, Richard started to show signs of dementia and also became infected with the West Nile Virus. He spent the last 3 1/2 years at the Rest Haven Home where he was lovingly cared for by a professional and dedicated staff of very committed and caring Christian people.
Richard died Tuesday August 15, 2006. He will be remember Richard as a strong defender of his Christian principals, a hardworking husband and father who enjoyed his children and rejoiced with them when they married and had children of their own. He will also be remembered as a veteran and a patriot who defended America in word, deed and example. He will be so greatly missed.
Obituary
Grand Rapids Press
KARELSE - Mr. Richard Karelse aged 92 of Walker passed away Tuesday August 15, 2006. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Marian, his children: Ronald and Priscilla Karelse, Kathy and Dan DeMeester, Richard J. and Linda Karelse, Mark and Linda Karelse, his 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, his sister-in-law Eileen DeMeester and nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Rest Haven Home for their years of dedicated loving and faithful care they provided in a Christian environment. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien - Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. with Rev. William Fennema officiating. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Rest Haven Home would be appreciated. Mr. Karelse reposes at the funeral chapel where relatives and friends may meet with his family Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Please go to www.lifestorynet.com to read Richard's life story and share a memory or sign the on line register book.
Lifestorynet.com
Some men search their whole lives for happiness driven by ambition or desire. Richard Karelse knew that to be a contented man you must first, by God's grace, serve the Lord. He was not only a man who knew the right path, but showed others the way also. He was a loving and faithful husband, father and grandfather, friend and a patriotic veteran. Richard was content with all the blessings and gifts he received both spiritually and materially. His commitment to serve God and others has touched and inspired many.
Richard's story began on a hot summer day in 1914, such exciting times in this country. America was enjoying many successes, as the automobile and the airplane were transforming our society, and a new middle class emerging to enjoy the rewards of its hard work. In the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cornelius and Ida (DeBruyn) Karelse were preparing for a big change, as well, with the birth of their seventh child.
On August 11, 1914, a hot, sunny Friday in the city, the couple celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Richard. The Karelse family lived on Quimby NE, and Richard's father supported his growing family as a woodworker at one of the many furniture companies for which the city was quickly becoming known.
The family were faithful members of the First Netherlands Reformed Congregation. Richard attended the Hastings Street Christian School, which was associated with his family's church. Richard's deep, lifelong devotion to the Lord was fostered from an early age in that school, in his church, and especially in his home, where he learned the Christian principles that guided him throughout his life.
Richard led a typically active childhood, playing with the neighborhood kids or chasing his older siblings around the house. He never lacked for role models to look up to, with his brothers and sisters around to help guide him. He attended Creston High School before transferring to Davis Tech High School downtown, where he graduated with the class of 1933.
After high school Richard took a job with the American Seating Company where he worked in the mail room. It was his personal life, not his professional life, that was about to get more interesting, however.
One day at church he noticed a beautiful young woman walk into the sanctuary, and thought to himself, "That's the girl I'm going to marry." After the service he introduced himself to that girl, named Marian DeMeester, and offered her a ride home. She accepted, beginning a lifelong love affair with a simple "Yes" on that Sunday evening.
Soon, however, the young couple would be separated by the darkening skies of World War II, which had finally reached our shores. Richard was drafted into the U.S. Army in December of 1941, right after Pearl Harbor, and left for basic training the next month, leaving his job and his beloved Marian behind.
Richard served in the Medical Corps in Army hospitals, where both G.I.s and German POWs were treated. In September of 1942, his sister Christine and Marian visited him at his duty station in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he promptly proposed to Marian. She of course accepted, and the next month he came back home on furlough and the two were married.
Richard was 27, and his new bride was all of 20 years old. He would always quip that he waited until he was 27 to marry because he had to wait for his bride to grow up first! They honeymooned back at Colorado Springs where he was stationed, a special time and place for them, in a marriage full of special times.
Before he was discharged from the service in St. Louis, the newlyweds settled there, living in a little mobile home trailer. Following his discharge, they moved that trailer back to Michigan, in the back of Marian's parents' home, while Richard worked on finding suitable housing for his soon to be growing family.
Richard went back to work at American Seating, eventually becoming the Office Manager of the mail department. Not long after his promotion, he and Marian celebrated the birth of their first child, son Ron, in 1947.
To provide for his growing family, Richard found a nice piece of land just outside the city, and with the help of his friends and family, built a beautiful home with his own hands. It took just over a year, but the finished home was wonderful, and had many modern touches, earning it acclaim in the Grand Rapids Press.
Two weeks after moving in to their new home, Richard and Marian welcomed their second child, a beautiful baby girl named Kathy. Two sons followed in the years to come, with Richard J. born in 1953 and Mark in 1956, rounding out the happy family.
In the mid 1950s, Richard went to work selling motor oil with his brother Cornelius, who operated Karelse Oil Distributing. Sadly, his brother died in the early 1960s, and after the business changed hands, Richard found work managing offices for a time before he began working for the City of Grand Rapids, in the Water Department. He enjoyed the work and kept the job until he retired from there at the age of 67.
Of course, men like Richard were never satisfied with the typical work week. He was the kind of man who seemed to have more hours in the day than the rest of us. He strongly believed in serving his community and was involved in serving the community as best he could. When the West YMCA was being built, he joined the Y's Men's Club to support the fund raising effort. He also served as bulletin editor for the club and at one time as the club president.
Ricard also served his community as a member of the Walker City Board of Zoning Appeals, a position he held for 25 years and even as the board chairman. He took this job seriously and would thoroughly investigate each case before making a recommendation. Richard often attended the Walker City Commission meetings, as well, and was never afraid to voice his opinion.
Ever an attentive and interested father, Richard was active in the Plymouth Christian School, where his children attended. He served as PTA president and was always volunteering on projects.
Richard's family was always of the utmost importance to him, of course. He worked five days a week to provide for them, with Saturday to spend with them, and Sundays to thank God for them. Saturdays were always special for the family. Together the Karelses would visit Lake Michigan which he loved so much. Grand Haven was always his favorite spot (even in wintertime), and they visited there often with their family friends, the Doumas. They'd get there in time for breakfast and stay until the setting sun lit up
When his kids were young, the family enjoyed so many great camping trips, either up north at Interlochen or the various state parks. Later, and after the children were grown and on their own, they camped in a pop-up trailer, and later a travel trailer traveling to New York State and the southeast, forming so many wonderful memories together.
Richard's entire family was very important to him, as well, especially his brothers and sisters and their families. The family would often picnic together in the summer months at one of the local parks. Often the many nieces and nephews would be there and together the extended family enjoyed sharing food and fellowship over the years.
Of course, Richard's faith was the most integral part of who he was, as a true Christian man of such great character and principle. Sundays were always reserved for rest and worship, first in the morning, then in the evening, with some dinner and fellowship in between. Richard's faith was unshakable and his word unquestionable.
Richard had a deep interest in current affairs and read the newspaper daily. He would form an opinion and wasn't afraid to share it and could often win an argument with his unusually quick wit and clever sense of humor.
He was also a fiercely independent person, who preferred to do things himself rather than rely on others, although he was quick to lend a helping hand to those in need.
After he retired, he and Marian continued to live in the home they built all those years before and enjoyed working in the yard and gardens. They'd visit the Grand Haven State Park just to enjoy the views. They were also avid walkers and together they would walk several miles a day.
Sadly, at the age of 88, Richard started to show signs of dementia and also became infected with the West Nile Virus. He spent the last 3 1/2 years at the Rest Haven Home where he was lovingly cared for by a professional and dedicated staff of very committed and caring Christian people.
Richard died Tuesday August 15, 2006. He will be remember Richard as a strong defender of his Christian principals, a hardworking husband and father who enjoyed his children and rejoiced with them when they married and had children of their own. He will also be remembered as a veteran and a patriot who defended America in word, deed and example. He will be so greatly missed.
Obituary
Grand Rapids Press
KARELSE - Mr. Richard Karelse aged 92 of Walker passed away Tuesday August 15, 2006. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Marian, his children: Ronald and Priscilla Karelse, Kathy and Dan DeMeester, Richard J. and Linda Karelse, Mark and Linda Karelse, his 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, his sister-in-law Eileen DeMeester and nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Rest Haven Home for their years of dedicated loving and faithful care they provided in a Christian environment. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien - Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. with Rev. William Fennema officiating. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Rest Haven Home would be appreciated. Mr. Karelse reposes at the funeral chapel where relatives and friends may meet with his family Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Please go to www.lifestorynet.com to read Richard's life story and share a memory or sign the on line register book.
Some men search their whole lives for happiness driven by ambition or desire. Richard Karelse knew that to be a contented man you must first, by God's grace, serve the Lord. He was not only a man who knew the right path, but showed others the way also. He was a loving and faithful husband, father and grandfather, friend and a patriotic veteran. Richard was content with all the blessings and gifts he received both spiritually and materially. His commitment to serve God and others has touched and inspired many.
Richard's story began on a hot summer day in 1914, such exciting times in this country. America was enjoying many successes, as the automobile and the airplane were transforming our society, and a new middle class emerging to enjoy the rewards of its hard work. In the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cornelius and Ida (DeBruyn) Karelse were preparing for a big change, as well, with the birth of their seventh child.
On August 11, 1914, a hot, sunny Friday in the city, the couple celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Richard. The Karelse family lived on Quimby NE, and Richard's father supported his growing family as a woodworker at one of the many furniture companies for which the city was quickly becoming known.
The family were faithful members of the First Netherlands Reformed Congregation. Richard attended the Hastings Street Christian School, which was associated with his family's church. Richard's deep, lifelong devotion to the Lord was fostered from an early age in that school, in his church, and especially in his home, where he learned the Christian principles that guided him throughout his life.
Richard led a typically active childhood, playing with the neighborhood kids or chasing his older siblings around the house. He never lacked for role models to look up to, with his brothers and sisters around to help guide him. He attended Creston High School before transferring to Davis Tech High School downtown, where he graduated with the class of 1933.
After high school Richard took a job with the American Seating Company where he worked in the mail room. It was his personal life, not his professional life, that was about to get more interesting, however.
One day at church he noticed a beautiful young woman walk into the sanctuary, and thought to himself, "That's the girl I'm going to marry." After the service he introduced himself to that girl, named Marian DeMeester, and offered her a ride home. She accepted, beginning a lifelong love affair with a simple "Yes" on that Sunday evening.
Soon, however, the young couple would be separated by the darkening skies of World War II, which had finally reached our shores. Richard was drafted into the U.S. Army in December of 1941, right after Pearl Harbor, and left for basic training the next month, leaving his job and his beloved Marian behind.
Richard served in the Medical Corps in Army hospitals, where both G.I.s and German POWs were treated. In September of 1942, his sister Christine and Marian visited him at his duty station in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he promptly proposed to Marian. She of course accepted, and the next month he came back home on furlough and the two were married.
Richard was 27, and his new bride was all of 20 years old. He would always quip that he waited until he was 27 to marry because he had to wait for his bride to grow up first! They honeymooned back at Colorado Springs where he was stationed, a special time and place for them, in a marriage full of special times.
Before he was discharged from the service in St. Louis, the newlyweds settled there, living in a little mobile home trailer. Following his discharge, they moved that trailer back to Michigan, in the back of Marian's parents' home, while Richard worked on finding suitable housing for his soon to be growing family.
Richard went back to work at American Seating, eventually becoming the Office Manager of the mail department. Not long after his promotion, he and Marian celebrated the birth of their first child, son Ron, in 1947.
To provide for his growing family, Richard found a nice piece of land just outside the city, and with the help of his friends and family, built a beautiful home with his own hands. It took just over a year, but the finished home was wonderful, and had many modern touches, earning it acclaim in the Grand Rapids Press.
Two weeks after moving in to their new home, Richard and Marian welcomed their second child, a beautiful baby girl named Kathy. Two sons followed in the years to come, with Richard J. born in 1953 and Mark in 1956, rounding out the happy family.
In the mid 1950s, Richard went to work selling motor oil with his brother Cornelius, who operated Karelse Oil Distributing. Sadly, his brother died in the early 1960s, and after the business changed hands, Richard found work managing offices for a time before he began working for the City of Grand Rapids, in the Water Department. He enjoyed the work and kept the job until he retired from there at the age of 67.
Of course, men like Richard were never satisfied with the typical work week. He was the kind of man who seemed to have more hours in the day than the rest of us. He strongly believed in serving his community and was involved in serving the community as best he could. When the West YMCA was being built, he joined the Y's Men's Club to support the fund raising effort. He also served as bulletin editor for the club and at one time as the club president.
Ricard also served his community as a member of the Walker City Board of Zoning Appeals, a position he held for 25 years and even as the board chairman. He took this job seriously and would thoroughly investigate each case before making a recommendation. Richard often attended the Walker City Commission meetings, as well, and was never afraid to voice his opinion.
Ever an attentive and interested father, Richard was active in the Plymouth Christian School, where his children attended. He served as PTA president and was always volunteering on projects.
Richard's family was always of the utmost importance to him, of course. He worked five days a week to provide for them, with Saturday to spend with them, and Sundays to thank God for them. Saturdays were always special for the family. Together the Karelses would visit Lake Michigan which he loved so much. Grand Haven was always his favorite spot (even in wintertime), and they visited there often with their family friends, the Doumas. They'd get there in time for breakfast and stay until the setting sun lit up
When his kids were young, the family enjoyed so many great camping trips, either up north at Interlochen or the various state parks. Later, and after the children were grown and on their own, they camped in a pop-up trailer, and later a travel trailer traveling to New York State and the southeast, forming so many wonderful memories together.
Richard's entire family was very important to him, as well, especially his brothers and sisters and their families. The family would often picnic together in the summer months at one of the local parks. Often the many nieces and nephews would be there and together the extended family enjoyed sharing food and fellowship over the years.
Of course, Richard's faith was the most integral part of who he was, as a true Christian man of such great character and principle. Sundays were always reserved for rest and worship, first in the morning, then in the evening, with some dinner and fellowship in between. Richard's faith was unshakable and his word unquestionable.
Richard had a deep interest in current affairs and read the newspaper daily. He would form an opinion and wasn't afraid to share it and could often win an argument with his unusually quick wit and clever sense of humor.
He was also a fiercely independent person, who preferred to do things himself rather than rely on others, although he was quick to lend a helping hand to those in need.
After he retired, he and Marian continued to live in the home they built all those years before and enjoyed working in the yard and gardens. They'd visit the Grand Haven State Park just to enjoy the views. They were also avid walkers and together they would walk several miles a day.
Sadly, at the age of 88, Richard started to show signs of dementia and also became infected with the West Nile Virus. He spent the last 3 1/2 years at the Rest Haven Home where he was lovingly cared for by a professional and dedicated staff of very committed and caring Christian people.
Richard died Tuesday August 15, 2006. He will be remember Richard as a strong defender of his Christian principals, a hardworking husband and father who enjoyed his children and rejoiced with them when they married and had children of their own. He will also be remembered as a veteran and a patriot who defended America in word, deed and example. He will be so greatly missed.
Obituary
Grand Rapids Press
KARELSE - Mr. Richard Karelse aged 92 of Walker passed away Tuesday August 15, 2006. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Marian, his children: Ronald and Priscilla Karelse, Kathy and Dan DeMeester, Richard J. and Linda Karelse, Mark and Linda Karelse, his 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, his sister-in-law Eileen DeMeester and nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Rest Haven Home for their years of dedicated loving and faithful care they provided in a Christian environment. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien - Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. with Rev. William Fennema officiating. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Rest Haven Home would be appreciated. Mr. Karelse reposes at the funeral chapel where relatives and friends may meet with his family Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Please go to www.lifestorynet.com to read Richard's life story and share a memory or sign the on line register book.
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