Roger A. Golliver, Sr's Obituary
Roger A. Golliver, Sr., age 84, of Muskegon, Michigan, passed away on June 30, at the Poppen House Hospice in Muskegon after battling kidney disease. Roger graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1952 and married Lucille in 1955. Their first date to a beach party led to a proposal at a creek near Dangl Rd., which in turn led to 62 years of marriage. Roger and Lucille lived together at a house he helped build on Harvey St., which was a quiet dirt road when they moved in more than 60 years ago. There, the couple raised three children and formed close bonds with their nine grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. Roger lived in the home until shortly before his death. While still in high school, Roger began working part-time at America Coil Spring in Muskegon. He kept on after graduating, working at America Coil Spring for 44 years. A hard worker who never indulged in self-pity, Roger heat-treated springs, becoming an expert in metallurgy along the way. His career fostered an interest in tinkering: he collected tools and once built a clock from scratch. Roger aimed to keep his work and personal life separate so that he could commit himself fully to his family, his community and his church. He delighted in taking his family exploring through the Upper Peninsula, no matter how lost they got in the woods, and spending summers camping at White River Campground. Even-tempered and patient, Roger shared his love of the outdoors as a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop No. 79 at Hile School, mentoring his two sons and scores of other scouts. Roger served as a Deacon and an Elder at Hope Reformed Church in Muskegon, where he taught Sunday school and took pride in helping to acquire a German organ that remains at the church to this day. Roger and Lucille celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Hope Reformed Church, hosting a large party of friends in the church’s basement. Following his retirement in 1995, Roger traveled everywhere from Canada to Missouri on bus tours with Lucille. Despite losing his eyesight due to diabetes in his later years, he enjoyed holding court over his trusty living room recliner, where he would share stories with a wry sense of humor and listen to books on tape. Roger was an avid reader with wide-ranging taste, from Louis L’Amour’s Old West novels to Civil War histories to technology textbooks. He and his wife shared a love for the music of Johnny Cash. Roger was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Lucille (Hofmann) Golliver; his son, Roger and Karen (Benjamin, Daniel, Aaron) of Beaverton, OR; his daughter, Debra (Dawn, William, Angel) of Muskegon, MI; his son Michael (Jillian, Jennifer, Joshua) of Muskegon, MI.; and great-granddaughters, Lyric and Aeris. A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held on Monday, July 3, at 1PM at Hope Reformed Church (1878 Evanston Ave.) with Pastor Steve Hyma officiating. VISITATION with the family will be held from 5-7PM on Sunday, July 2 at The Sytsema Chapel, 737 E. Apple Ave. (231-726-5210) and 1 hour prior to the service at church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Reformed Church or Muskegon Area District Library for the Blind.
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