Edward "Bud" Brouwer

Passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2006. Bud was born July 8, 1919 in Great Meadows, New Jersey, the son of Bulo and Lena (Drenth) Brouwer. He was a lifelong Portage area resident and had served for 4 years in the U.S. Army during WW II. Bud was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Portage and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. For over 41 years he was employed with Michigan Bell Telephone, retiring in 1981. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, working in his garden and sharing produce with family and friends, but most of all loved spending time with his family. On May 9, 1947, he was united in marriage to the former Mary E. Lamson, who survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Rosemary (Frank) Woodward of Richland, Linda (Clyde) Trainer of Schoolcraft, Ruth (James) Kelecava of Portage, Patricia (Donald) Vought of Climax; grandchildren, Julie Baker, Marshall and Aldona McMullen, Andrew McMullen, Steven, Dennis and Laura Trainer, J.J. and Ellie Kelecava, Beth Kelecava, David and Julie Fitzgerald, Rob and Kristy TenBusschen, Lisa TenBusschen; 8 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Catherine Razenberg, Tillie Kramer and Marian Meyer. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, Garrett Tillema; by 2 brothers, Jacob Tillema and Okko Brouwer and by a sister, Abbie Wenke. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am Friday at the First United Methodist Church of Portage (8740 S. Westnedge Ave.) with Pastor Greg Wood, officiating. Following a luncheon at the church, burial will be held in Portage Central Cemetery. Memorials in Bud's memory may be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Portage or the American Diabetes Association. 343-1508.