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Joanne C. Verburg age 74, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, died Monday, June 30, 2025 at her home in Cedar Springs doing what she loved most - gardening. She was born October 6, 1950 in Grand Rapids, MI the daughter of Robert and Gerarda (Heitz) Dewey. She worked at Kindel Furniture for 14 years, helping to produce some of the world’s finest handcrafted pieces that can now be viewed at Winterthur’s Museum. She finished out her working years as one of the friendliest cashiers at Meijer on Alpine Ave and in Cedar Springs before enjoying a happy and fulfilled retirement. Joanne had a lifelong passion for flowers and gardening, along with an astonishing ability to identify florals on the spot. She was an avid reader, often enjoying multiple books at once, and a remarkably animated storyteller. Her creative spirit shone through in the many puzzles, paintings, and crafts she regularly worked on—many of which adorned the walls of her home, transforming it into a personal art gallery filled with love. She was generously compassionate, offering a loving home to many pets throughout her lifetime, and often went out of her way to care for sick or injured animals. She also donated regularly to multiple non-profit organizations supporting the health and welfare needs of all living beings and creatures of life. Surviving are her husband, Jerry who she married on August 5, 1972; children, Rea Verburg, Randy (Tara) Verburg, Jerry (Lori) Verburg, James Verburg; seven grandchildren, Cassie, Randy Jr., Justin, Alysha, Brandon, Jessie and Jerrod; 13 great grandchildren; siblings, David Dewey, Larry (Luanne) Dewey, Jon (Jody) Dewey, Patty (Dick) Anderson; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Scott Verburg and a sister-in-law, Jan Dewey. The family will greet friends Tuesday, July 8 from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am at the K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mel Trotter Ministries, 225 Commerce Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Diane Elizabeth Brady, 72, of Cedar Springs, Mich., passed away Tuesday, June 24 from injuries sustained in an auto accident in Rockford, Mich. She was a retired non-profit health services executive followed by her second career where she was a key member of Michigan State University Extension’s Consumer Horticulture Team. Diane was born to Lela Belle and George Brady, on Jan. 26, 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, where she graduated from high school. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1975. In 1998 she earned an MBA in finance from Grand Valley State University. In her working life Diane consistently sought positions in which she could help people, including working as a researcher for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians helping to document ancestry needed to title property. She also worked for the Salvation Army, where she was director of planned giving. She served as Chief Operating Officer for Planned Parenthood Centers of West Michigan for 20 years before she retired in 2010. In 2003 she earned MSU extension advanced master gardener certification and began her volunteer service. She joined the Michigan State University Extension Consumer Horticulture team in 2012 and was currently employed as the Horticulture and Events Account Manager for West Michigan. To quote her employer, “Diane’s impact was wide reaching, and her absence will be deeply felt in our office and in the greater MSU Extension community. Any coworker surely knew of her attention to detail and commitment to her work, but all who knew Diane undoubtedly recall her kindness, wit, contagious enthusiasm, joyful laughter, and love of coffee and red wine.” One of Diane’s greatest joys was sharing her horticultural knowledge and experience with others. She loved to cook for family and friends and especially enjoyed creating healthy culinary experiences using produce from her garden. She will be sorely missed by everyone who benefitted from her outgoing, cheerful, thoughtful and helpful regard for others, including those she mentored in their personal and professional lives. She is survived by her husband, Rod Sager; identical twin sister, Denise, (husband Tom) Schroeder, of Laingsburg, Mich.; nephew Tom Schroeder Jr., Haslett, Mich.; and niece Anna Schroeder, East Lansing, Mich. Her brother, George Brady Jr., preceded her in death. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 19th from 5:00pm to 7:30pm in Diane’s Gardens, if you would like to attend, please send an email to: DianesMemorial@icloud.com and we will respond with an invite. If you would like to donate, please choose one of Diane’s favorite organizations: To Planned Parenthood of Michigan by clicking on this link here And/or send a check to: Michigan State University Michigan State University Extension c/o Diane Brady memorial 775 Ball NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (Please include your name, address, e-mail contact and phone number in the envelope) Arrangements by K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

D M White age 93 of Cedar Springs passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at his home. He was born December 15, 1931 in Courtland Township, MI the son of Guy and Anna (Hagen) White. He worked 30 years for the U.S. Post Office, first in the railway and highway postal service, then as a rural carrier and in the office. He was a lifelong farmer and worked 18 years for Swift Farms. He was a devoted member and volunteer at the Cedar Springs Historical Society and Museum. D and his wife Nita sang all over the U.S. and in many churches. Surviving are his children, Guy (Diana) White, Douglas White, Kim (Nancy) White, Debby (Tom) McDonough, Phil (Linda) White; 17 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Juanita “Nita”; brother, Jack White and sister, Peggy Goller. The family will greet friends Saturday, June 14 from 9:30 until time of service at 11:00 am at the K.E. Pike Funeral Home, 13603 Northland Dr. NE, Cedar Springs. Pastor Tom Logsdon officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Maranatha Baptist Church, 12786 Algoma Avenue, Cedar Springs.