LaVerne J. Eldridge

LaVerne J. Eldridge, 90, of Lake Odessa, passed away Friday, September 16, 2011 at Laurels of Kent in Lowell. He was born December 28, 1920 in Lake Odessa the son of Eddie and Pearl (McCleod) Eldridge. LaVerne graduated from Lake Odessa High School in 1939 and was married to Geraldine Nott on December 22, 1941 in West Unity, Ohio. Mrs. Eldridge preceded him in death on November 9, 1993. LaVerne was a lifelong farmer in the Lake Odessa area which included beef and dairy cattle, sheep, hogs and crop farming. He was a 4-H leader for 10 years, served on the Berlin Twp. Board and as Supervisor for 27 years, Union Bank Board of Directors, chairman of the Lake Odessa Co-Op, Ionia County Solid Waste and the Lake Odessa Lions Club. LaVerne helped establish the Berlin-Orange Fire Department in 1973 and was president of the Ionia County Township Officers Association. LaVerne also served as Grand Marshall of the 2004 Lake Odessa Fair Parade. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and Pearl Eldridge; wife, Geraldine; brother, Lawrence Eldridge; sisters, Madonna Hilley and Marie Wickham. Surviving are his children, Larry (Kathleen) Eldridge, Eddie (Mary Ann) Eldridge, John (Susan) Eldridge and Joan Eldridge; 9 grandchildren; 22 Great Grandchildren; 3 Great Great Grandchildren; sisters, Madeline Beuhler and Margaret Gender; special daughter, Carmon Bollea; special friend, Bernice Hamp. Visitation with the family will be held from 2-4 & 6-8pm on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Koops Funeral Chapel – Lake Odessa. Funeral services for LaVerne will be conducted at 11 am on Monday, September 19, 2011 at Koops Funeral Chapel – Lake Odessa. Interment to follow at Lakeside Cemetery. Memorial contributions in LaVerne's name may be directed to the Alta Mae Frost VFW Scholarship Fund, 3600 W. Tupper Lake Road, Lake Odessa, MI 48849 or Alzheimer's Association, Greater Michigan Chapter, 20300 Civic Center Drive, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076. Visitation September 18, 2011 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Koops Funeral Chapel 935 Fourth Ave. Lake Odessa, MI (616) 374-8221 Funeral Service September 19, 2011 11:00 AM Koops Funeral Chapel 935 Fourth Ave. Lake Odessa, MI (616) 374-8221 Interment Monday September 19 2011 Lakeside Cemetery 14631 Cemetery Rd Lake Odessa, MI