Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Wolverton, Richard 2001
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net December 6, 2009, 2:28 pm

Ionia Sentinel, 24 Oct 2001

Richard Wolverton, 80, of Lake Odessa, passed away Thursday, Oct. 23, 2001.  He 
had lived his entire life in Ionia County as a farmer and livestock businessman.

At one time, Rich had owned the weekly livestock auction in Charlotte.  He 
later specialized in long-distance handling and hauling of cattle between 
farmers and meat packing industries in several states.

Rich’s interest in cattle began as he grew up on a farm in Orange Township.  
When he was in high school, Rich was involved with Future Farmers of America 
and was selected as one of a team that competed in a national livestock judging 
contest in Kansas City.

This team emerged as national champions in that event and thus became renowned 
young farmers in Ionia County.

Rich and his wife Polly first became acquainted in 1939 when Polly was employed 
as the teacher for the LeValley rural school.  In 1943 they were married, and 
to them were born four children, Randy, Kathy, Joani, and Kerrie.

Surviving beside Polly are two daughters, Joani (Vern) Slager and children, 
Michelle, Mark and Meredith; and Kerrie (Jim) Idema and son Richard. 

Also surviving are Randy’s wife Linda, and children Lisa (Brady) Peterson and 
sons Timothy and Randy; Diane (Nathan) Sprague and children Karlie and Parker; 
and Bob (Rhonda) Wolverton.  Two sisters, Corinne Brown and Carol Winton also 
survive.

Beside his deceased parents, Lester and Ella Wolverton, Rich was preceded in 
death by his son, Randy; daughter, Kathy, grandson, Alex Lee Idema; brother, 
Robert, and teenage sister, Katherine.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, at the Lakewood 
United Methodist Church, with his pastor, Rev. Dr. Donald R. Ferris of Central 
United Methodist Church officiating.

Visitation will be held at the Koops Funeral Chapel in Lake Odessa on Thursday, 
Oct. 25, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and form 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Private burial will take place in Lakeside Cemetery.

Being ever mindful of the many kindnesses given to the family during Rich’s 
lengthy illness, it is suggested that in lieu of flowers or memorials, the 
vigil of caring and sharing be extended to others when a need arises.


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