Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Leppink, Robert "Bob" Jay April 7, 2016 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Pat Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net June 22, 2020, 9:12 am Ionia Sentinel Standard-Tues. April 12, 2016 ROBERT JAY "BOB" LEPPINK 1932-2016 Robert Ja "Bob" Leppink, 83, of Belding, went to be with his Lord Thursday morning April 7, 2016 at his home. Bob was born on Sept. 15, 1932 in Belding, the son of John and Hattie (Stryker) Leppink. He graduated from Belding High School with the class of 1950. While in high school, Bob excelled in football, basketball and track. Following high school, Bob attended Central Michigan University. The retail industry was just right for Bob. He, along with his father, John, and two brothers, Gordon and Kenneth, developed and expanded the Leppink Food centers and Leppink Development company. Bob proudly guided the succession of the family business to the third and fourth generations. He was always trying new concepts, looking at new ways of doing business, enjoying the are of the deal, and seeking new growth and expansion opportunities. even in the later years of his career, Bob warmly greeted his customers and associates. Being active in the Belding Community was also an important part of his life. As a young 20 years old man, he joined the Belding Area lions Club. He served in many officer positions in the club. Bob initiated the club's continuing tradition of singing Christmas carols and giving presents to each resident at Metron of Belding. Bob was also active in the Chamber of Commerce the Downtown Development Authority and other city activities. Bob was a member of the Belding First Baptist Church for over 70 years. He served as a Deacon, Trustee, and Moderator, taught Sunday School, and helped wherever there was a needed. He was a member/chair on the boards of Independent Bank Corporation for 22 years and County Fresh Dairy for 24 years. Bob knew the importance of networking and learning from his fellow business and board leaders, treasuring the many friends he made while serving these organizations. Bob's lifelong joy was boating, especially near his summer home on Sutton's Bay. He had great love and pride of family. Bob's deep abiding faith in Jesus christ guided him all his life in his business career, family life and friendships. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. On Sept. 13, 1953 in Greenville, he married Deloris L. Button, Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Deloris, and their children: Laurie Leppink Lisuk (Daniel) of Leland, Gay Leppink Cole (Richard) of Spring Lake, John (Jacquelyne) Leppink of Belding; his grandchildren; Halley Lisuk, Juliana Lisuk, John Cole and his fiancee, Holly Amderson, Katie Cole, Robert Leppink, Andrew Leppink, and Arianna Leppink; a sister-in-law, Betsy Leppink, of Grand Rapids; many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Gordon and Kenneth, sister-in-law, Wanda Leppink Rivard and his wife's parents, Dorothy and Lester Button. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday April 12, 2016 at the Belding First Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Simmons officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. at Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding. Private committal prayers will be in Rest Haven Memory Gardens, Belding. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to the Leppink Belding Community fund. Envelopes will be available at the Funeral home or at church. Messages of condolence may also be give at www.jffh.com File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/l/leppink37268nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb