Mr. Richard A. Balentine's Obituary
Mr. Richard A. Balentine, 82, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer early Sunday morning, March 25, 2018 in Muskegon. He was born September 24, 1935 to Arnold and Leona (Wilde) Balentine in Traverse City, and moved to Muskegon from Grand Haven in 1960. He was a U.S Navy veteran, serving during the Korean War, and worked at Sealed Power/SPX for over 30 years before retiring. Richard has been active with the U.A.W., enjoyed golfing, fishing, deer hunting, playing hockey, bowling, camping, and going on family road trips. On April 23, 1960 he married Shirley K. Groesser in Traverse City, and she survives him along with 3 daughters: Sherry (Thomas) Shatney-Miedema, Debra Ripka, Michelle (James) Dausman; 4 grandchildren: Jeremy (Cassie) Shatney, Heather Junod, Jaymi Dausman, Melissa Dausman; 2 great-grandchildren, Karissa Decheney and Kayven Lynn; 2 brothers: Ronald (Mary) Balentine, Larry (Mary Jo) Balentine; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother: Gerald; and 2 sons-in-law: Leon Shatney and Vincent Ripka. The funeral service will be Saturday, March 31, at 11:00 AM at The Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave., (231) 726-5210. Visitation will be Friday, March 30, from 4-7 PM, also at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. You may visit the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com. Contributions in memory of Mr. Balentine may be made to Hospice of Michigan.
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