Henry "Hank" W. LaFever Jr.'s Obituary
Henry “Hank” W. LaFever, Jr., age 72, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019. He was born on May 22, 1947 to Henry Sr. and Shirley (Wellman) LaFever in Muskegon. Henry started working on farms and orchards as a kid to earn money. After he turned 18, he went on to work at CWC for a few years. During the time at CWC, Henry got a job at Sealed Power and work there for 30 years until his retirement at age 52. Still a young man, he got a part-time job at Samuel Lutheran Church as a custodian and soon after had the “Ahh-Ha” moment we all look for and gave his life to Jesus Christ. Along with his bride, they became members of the church. Year after year he became more involved with the church. He was in the men's choir and served on various boards. Henry loved being a member of his church and loving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During that time frame when he was at CWC he met a Ludington girl named Debbie and at a dance in Custer, Michigan called Johnny's Band Stand. From that came almost 52 years of marriage. He helped raise 2 fine young men and was a loving grandfather. Henry was a huge Muskegon Big Reds fan and tried not miss a game. Hank also bled Maze -n- Blue, as he was a devoted to University of Michigan sports. Henry also had something other than the love of his wife and children have had, true friendship. Bob Elliott a man he didn't hesitate to call him brother and that he loved him and another best friend Ed Peabody also has been called a brother from another mother(as he would say). Best friends for over 50 years. Henry would call and touch base with his friends to see how their lives were doing. Friends like Don, Jack, John and the list goes on. There is too many to list, but you know who you are. Henry was a champion of the little guy and would always ask the person with the worst job about it and what they did. He just loved the company and conversation of others. Hank liked to gamble and would take his bride or go with friends to Las Vegas. Henry loved to travel, after retiring he and his wife would spend the winters in Florida and made friend's there; everywhere he went he made friends. Hank was a larger than life character that was there for his sons. They were told that they were loved every day. His sons have looked back on their lives with their Dad. It makes them sad they won't have his company and direction in life, but they have huge amount of memories as he was not a perfect man or Father, but they never realized he and their mother molded them into a loving, caring son, father, grandpa, and friend. He will be missed severely. Hank is survived by his wife of 51 years, Deborah LaFever; children, Todd (Christy) LaFever, Brandon (Angie) LeFever; grandchildren, Peyton, Emma, Denver, Miranda, Cameron; great-grandchildren, Alessia and Sienna; brother, Gerry LaFever and siblings-in-law, Bob and Janet Anthony. A MEMORIAL SERVICE for Henry will take place at Samuel Lutheran Church (540 Houston Ave.) on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 12:00 PM with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will take place in Lakeside Cemetery. For a more lasting memory, donations in Hank’s name can be made to either Samuel Lutheran Church or the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. Feel free to share a memory with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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