Richard A. Stone's Obituary
Richard Alan Stone, age 78, of Norton Shores, MI, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, June 23, 2025. He entered into his heavenly rest after struggling for over 16 years with several serious health issues that included diabetes, a transplanted liver and kidney, a heart valve replacement, a pacemaker, and then bladder cancer that metastasized to other parts of his body.
He was born October 16, 1946, to Arthur and Mary Stone in Jackson, MI. He graduated from Parkside High School, Jackson Business University, and Spring Arbor University. He served two years in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970. He started his career working in accounting and worked up to managerial positions and then finally owned Airmaster Fan Company in Jackson, MI. He was married to the former Janice Emerson for 26 years and to the former Rebecca Ehnis for 29 years.
Richard accepted the Lord as his Savior as a young boy. He was a devoted Christian and was a member of several churches over the years and always served however he could, including on multiple church and community boards. He started going to Maranatha Bible Conference for weekly vacation in 1985 and in 2023 moved into a house on the grounds there. He was a member of Lakeshore Baptist Church in Grand Haven, MI.
Richard will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Rebecca; daughter, Christy (Brian) Veeninga; granddaughter, Addison; son, Paul; brother, John (Mary) Stone; brother in-law, Daniel (Doris) Ehnis; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Mary Stone; brother, Thomas; sister, Kathryn; and his first wife, Janice.
A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI, 49444 (due to current road construction on Harvey St. it is best to take the Pontaluna exit from US-31). VISITATION will be held from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 25, as well as an hour prior to the service on Thursday. A GRAVESIDE SERVICE will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, June 27, at Roseland Memorial Gardens, 3744 Brooklyn Rd, Jackson, MI 49203. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Traverse City Christian School, 753 Emerson Rd, Traverse City, MI, 49696, or to Keys for Kids Radio, 2060 43rd St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508. Please sign the family’s online guestbook and share memories at https://sytsemafh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Richard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Richard?
Share a story where Richard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Richard you’ll never forget.
How did Richard make you smile?