Locations
StaffLife Story Funeral Director
richkarelse@lifestorynet.com
Many families have become the grateful beneficiaries of Rich's passion for helping people talk about the end of life and pre-arrange their funeral. He gives wise counsel and brings peace of mind to all those who seek his guidance.
Rich was born and raised on the West Side of Grand Rapids, two miles from Van't Hof Funeral Home. He went to Plymouth Christian School and Kenowa Hills High School. After high school he worked at a lumber yard until he bought a laundry and dry cleaning business which he ran from 1982 to 1999.
Rich's interest in funeral service came through his funeral director brother, Ron. In 1986 Ron mentioned to him that the funeral home needed someone to help families who wanted to preplan their funerals. Fortunately for funeral service Rich was interested. He pursued the required training and licensing, and has been helping families ever since. Rich especially likes guiding people through the process of funeral planning and helping them create a ceremony that focuses on the significance of the life that was lived.
Rich and his wife, Linda, have three daughters: Melanie (Travis) Buis, Bonnie and Valerie. Rich met Linda by accident, literally. It was 1972 and Rich was just out of high school when he smashed up his car. He went to the City Water Office where his dad worked to tell him about it. And that's where he met Linda; she worked in the same office as his dad. They dated, fell in love, and were married in 1975. They are members of the Reformed Church of America. Rich and Linda like to travel and among their favorite places are Myrtle Beach, Ft. Myers, Jensen Beach, the Keys, and the Everglades.
Rich is a Certified Pre-planning Consultant through the National Funeral Directors Association. He serves on the West Michigan Board for Hospice of Michigan. In his spare time Rich likes to find a quiet spot where he can read and listen to classical music; much of what he reads is done to add to his knowledge as a wine connoisseur. He is a member of The Tasters Guild (Society of Food & Wine Appreciation), and has been making his own wine since 1979. His oldest bottle is a 1980 Mulberry. There's something interesting and unique about the person who takes the time to appreciate fine wines and the stories behind them.
Rich was born and raised on the West Side of Grand Rapids, two miles from Van't Hof Funeral Home. He went to Plymouth Christian School and Kenowa Hills High School. After high school he worked at a lumber yard until he bought a laundry and dry cleaning business which he ran from 1982 to 1999.
Rich's interest in funeral service came through his funeral director brother, Ron. In 1986 Ron mentioned to him that the funeral home needed someone to help families who wanted to preplan their funerals. Fortunately for funeral service Rich was interested. He pursued the required training and licensing, and has been helping families ever since. Rich especially likes guiding people through the process of funeral planning and helping them create a ceremony that focuses on the significance of the life that was lived.
Rich and his wife, Linda, have three daughters: Melanie (Travis) Buis, Bonnie and Valerie. Rich met Linda by accident, literally. It was 1972 and Rich was just out of high school when he smashed up his car. He went to the City Water Office where his dad worked to tell him about it. And that's where he met Linda; she worked in the same office as his dad. They dated, fell in love, and were married in 1975. They are members of the Reformed Church of America. Rich and Linda like to travel and among their favorite places are Myrtle Beach, Ft. Myers, Jensen Beach, the Keys, and the Everglades.
Rich is a Certified Pre-planning Consultant through the National Funeral Directors Association. He serves on the West Michigan Board for Hospice of Michigan. In his spare time Rich likes to find a quiet spot where he can read and listen to classical music; much of what he reads is done to add to his knowledge as a wine connoisseur. He is a member of The Tasters Guild (Society of Food & Wine Appreciation), and has been making his own wine since 1979. His oldest bottle is a 1980 Mulberry. There's something interesting and unique about the person who takes the time to appreciate fine wines and the stories behind them.
