Richard Lee Close's Obituary
Mr. Richard L. Close, age 84, died Saturday, January 28, 2006. He was born on November 22, 1921 to Clarence and Anna (Kolberg) Close in Hart, MI. Mr. Close was a long time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He attended Muskegon High School where he played on the Varsity Football team. He served his country as a United States Marine during WW II. Mr. Close received 2 purple hearts, a British Distinguished Service Medal, a Navy Cross and a Silver Star. On April 29, 1944, he married the former Marcia Backstrom in Muskegon. He worked as a National Service Officer with the Marine Corp. League for the State of Michigan for 33 years prior to his retirement in 1982. He had also worked for many years at the Achterhoff Mortuary. He was a member of the American Legion Merritt Lamb Post #9, former Commander and member of the Marine Corp League Richard Haring Post, Mona Lake Boat Club and the Moose Lodge. SURVIVORS include his wife of 62 years, Marcia; 1 son, Richard (Deborah) Close Jr. of Spring Lake; 2 daughters, Barbara (Bill) Martin-David of Norton Shores and Nancy (Chris) Damvelt of Harrison, MI.; 6 grandchildren, Christopher Close, Shannon (Guy) Meloche, Adam Martin, Mathew Martin, Shawn (Jeremy) Smith and John Richard Damvelt; 10 great-grandchildren; his step-mother, Margaret Close of Muskegon, step-sister, Delores Borne of Muskegon; and 2 step-grandchildren, Ryan and Nichole Junge. SERVICES will be 1 PM Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at the The Walburn Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. 231-759-8565 with Father Ernest J. Bernott officiating. Full military rights will be afforded by the V.F.W. Muskegon County Council. VISITATION with the family will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
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