Richard Donovan Madery II

On February 2, 2022, Richard Donovan Madery II stepped into the arms of Jesus, surrounded by his family and closest friends. Rich was born July 11, 1969 in Jackson, Michigan to Richard Madery and Ann Hutchinson. He attended Holt Public Schools for many years and graduated from Mason High School in 1987. He met the love of his life in 1992, and they spent nearly 30 years together raising 4 wonderful children, traveling, camping, and watching countless soccer, basketball and baseball games — track and cross country meets too! Together, they spent many years leading students in Mount Hope Church’s Youth Alive (now Spyn Student Ministries). Rich loved leading worship for Youth Alive and leading main services whenever he got the opportunity. When his children began taking an interest in sports, he was all in. He started coaching recreation and club soccer teams and Special Olympics basketball. The students he mentored and encouraged throughout the years are innumerable. Rich also loved being outdoors hiking, golfing, hunting, fishing, camping and canoeing. He was also an avid NASCAR fan and never met a sporting event on TV he didn’t like. Let’s not forget his love of Disney World! Above all else, he delighted in spending time with his family, the lights of his life.

Anyone who knew Rich will forever remember his sense of humor, quick wit and uncanny ability to talk to anyone for any length of time, as if he had known them forever. If you were lucky enough to get picked on by Rich, you knew you were one of his faves. He always followed it with a quick “just kidding” and a genuine smile and laugh that we will all miss terribly.

Rich is survived by his wife of 27 years, Shelly; children Emily, Jacqueline, Nathan and Joshua; his parents, Richard Madery and Ann Hutchinson; sister and brother-in-law Jennifer and Ryan Ackley; brother, Rick Forche; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mark and Kathy Starr; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mark & Dana Starr II; nieces and nephews Jenna (Nick) Putzke, Kaitlyn Starr and Ben, Brenna and Jacob Ackley; many aunts, uncles, cousins; and so, so, so many friends and former players.

Rich is like no other. To honor him, we will worship and celebrate at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Mount Hope Church, 202 S. Creyts Rd, Lansing, MI, 48917 with a luncheon immediately following in the Event Center. Visitations will be held on Tuesday, February 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Recreation Outreach Center (ROC), 1706 W. Dansville Rd, Mason, MI, 48854 or Wednesday 11 a.m. at Mount Hope Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mason High School Boys Soccer Scholarship or Mount Hope Church Spyn Student Ministries.

Rich’s favorite movie was ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. As we reflect on his well-lived life and the legacy he leaves in his children, we’ve adapted a line from that movie: “Rich Madery, the richest man in town.”

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”