Bernard Russell "Ben" Malenfant's Obituary
Bernard Russell “Ben” Malenfant, age 72, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 20, 2020. He was born in Muskegon on January 19, 1948 to Bernard and Evelyn (Marvin) Malenfant. He married Ruth Marie Moseler on September 21, 1968 and had three children: Vincent (Deanna) Malenfant, Mary (Rick) Wagner, and Bernadette (Alex Barker) Malenfant. He attended St. Joseph School and then Muskegon Catholic Central. He spent 4 years in the U.S. Navy, serving most of his time in Washington, DC at Andrews Air Force Base as a welder using his skills even on the president’s plane. Returning home, he taught welding at the Skilled Training Center in Muskegon until he started working as a welder at Westrand Industries and Quality Tool & Stamping until his retirement in 2014. He is survived by his wife, his mother, his three children, brothers: Richard (Pam) Malenfant, Charles (Debbie) Malenfant, Robert (Karen) Malenfant, and sisters: Elizabeth Cio, Linda (Al) Richards, Evelyn (Steve) Graves; 11 grandchildren: Andrew, Andy, KaTrena, Aaron, Sullivan, Lindsay, Nikki, Jessie, Robert, Jack, Mathias, and 10 great-grandchildren: Emma, Uriah, Alice, Palmer, Gibson, Renee, Savannah, Emmett, Malia, and Bernard “Benny”. He was preceded in death by his father and brother, Joseph Malenfant. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (150 E. Summit Ave.) with the Rev. Fr. Douglas A. Braun presiding. Interment will take place at Sunrise Memorial Gardens with Military Honors offered by the Muskegon County Council of Veterans. Memorial Contributions may be directed to the Harbor Hospice Foundation. Arrangements handled by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444. Sign the guestbook online at www.sytsemafh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Bernard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bernard?
Share a story where Bernard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bernard you’ll never forget.
How did Bernard make you smile?
