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Ken Blauvelt

October 6, 1934 - March 6, 2007
Shelbyville, MI

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Visitation

Friday, March 9, 2007
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Plainwell Location
120 South Woodhams Street
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5881
Driving Directions

Visitation

Friday, March 9, 2007
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Plainwell Location
120 South Woodhams Street
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5881
Driving Directions

Service

Saturday, March 10, 2007
11:00 AM EST
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Plainwell Location
120 South Woodhams Street
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5881
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Martin Athletic Boosters
1556 Chalmers Road
Martin, MI 49070
(269) 672-5554

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Plainwell Flowers
117 S. Main
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-8055
Driving Directions
Web Site

River Rose
(269) 692-3951

Life Story / Obituary


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Kenneth W. Blauvelt was a hard-working, fun-loving man who devoted himself to his wife, children and grandchildren. With Ken, family came first. He was vigorous at work and play, eager to share his joy for living with those around him. In providing for the wellbeing of others, Ken found true joy and fulfillment.

Ken was born at a time when families were trying to make life pleasant during the Depression. They relied on the simple joys of family gathering around the radio to listen to baseball games or be inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt's Fireside Chats. In the midst of these challenging times, one family in Plainwell, Michigan awaited the birth of their eighth child. Harry and Hazel (Bourdo) Blauvelt welcomed Kenneth into their lives on October 6, 1934. Growing up in Delton with his step-brothers Ray and Cecil, his brothers Roland, Clyde and Bud, and his sisters Alice and Dorothy, Ken enjoyed a typical childhood with all the liveliness of a large family.

In his teen years, Ken was eager to get a jump on life, out in the world. He left school, joined the Marines just after his 17th birthday, and traveled half a world away to East Asia. Ken served a tour of duty during the Korean Conflict and remained in the service for three years. He was honorably discharged from active duty with the appreciation of a grateful nation.

After his discharge in 1954, Ken returned to the Plainwell area and settled into a job at the Brown Company, working as a Rewinder Operator. His life became even more established when he met a young woman by the name of Margie Ritchie. The two shared common interests and enjoyed each other's company during a courtship that led to marriage. Ken and Margie made their vows on September 7, 1957 and reveled in their life together that would have celebrated a 50th anniversary in September 2007.

Ken and Margie shared their life with two wonderful children, Cindy and Tim. Ken loved his family and worked hard to provide for them. He gave 24 years of service to the Brown Company before signing on with Menasha in 1981. There, he worked as an SLI assistant until his retirement in 1997. During all the years of dedication to his work, there was no mistaking what came first in Ken's life. His family was number one. When his children were growing up, Ken made sure he was available to attend their sporting events or school activities. He always made time for his kids and supported them in their pursuits.

One of Ken's favorite pastimes with his family was also one of many of Ken's favorite sports. He was part of a family softball team and, over the years, he played on several leagues with his work buddies. If he wasn't playing softball or basketball, he was watching a sport on TV or cheering from the stands at the games his grandchildren played. Ken was a big sports fan, but an even greater fan of his grandchildren. He loved being a grandparent, and just as with his children, he made a point of being at every event in which they were involved. Ken supported whatever his grandchildren enjoyed doing.

When Ken took time for himself, he chose to hunt or fish. He hunted deer and turkey, and he specifically raised beagles to hunt rabbit. Ken was fond of his dogs, the last of which was Lady who died in February 2007. Ken also had the adventure of hunting bear. Along with his buddies, he took several trips to Colorado and one to Canada. On one memorable occasion, he came up successful and bagged himself a trophy bear! Yet some of Ken's most pleasant vacations were spent with his dear Margie, especially on Bear Lake in Manistee. Ken and Margie both loved to get away to camp, fish and just spend time together.

Ken's family share many wonderful memories of time spent together. They forever hold in their hearts a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, and cherished friend.

Kenneth Blauvelt, age 72 of Shelbyville, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 6, 2007 at Borgess Medical Center. Ken was preceded in death by his brothers Ray and Cecil Morse, Roland and Clyde Blauvelt, his sister-in-law Mavis and Alfred Rasnake and brother-in-law Wilzie Ritchie. Members of Ken's family include his wife Margie, his children and their spouses Cindy and Jon Boss of Vermontville, Tim and Chris Blauvelt of Shelbyville, his grandchildren Benjamin and Katelyn Boss, Bradley and Matthew Blauvelt, his brother Bud and Georgine Blauvelt of Marshall, his sisters Alice and David Boyce of Gun Lake, Dorothy and Donald Hoekstra of Kalamazoo, his mother-in-law Rhoda Richie, his brothers and sisters-in-law Kenneth and Cora Ritchie, JC and Janet Ritchie, Bobby and Vicki Ritchie, Betty and Bill Bourdo, Mike and Sue Ritchie all of Plainwell and many nieces and nephews. Learn more about Ken, view his life story film and visit with his family and friends Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams where a funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Martin Athletic Boosters.

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