Roland Henry Bessinger's Obituary
Roland Henry Bessinger, age 96, of Spring Lake, passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital. He was born on March 19, 1928, in Saginaw, MI to Gottfried John and Amalia "Mollie" (Diener) Bessinger. On December 18, 1954, he married Lorretta Pretzer at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Hemlock, MI. Lorretta preceded him in death on July 19, 2014.
Roland graduated from Saginaw High School. He went on to serve his country in the Navy during WWII. For over 18 years, Roland and his wife owned the Bonanza Restaurant in Muskegon before retiring in 1995. He enjoyed playing the accordion and organ, but most of all spending time with his family.
He is lovingly remembered by his five children: Diane (Joel) Elam, Craig (Shelley) Bessinger, Thomas (Beth) Bessinger, Paul Bessinger, and Sandra Brown; twenty-three grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his three sisters, Rose (Jerald) Harvey, Lillian (Louie) Griffin, and Violet (Calvin) Whitmore; two brothers, Arnold (Gini) Bessinger and Donald (Brenda) Bessinger; and daughter-in-law, Natalie Bessinger.
The funeral service for Roland will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Appold officiating, and military honors accorded him by the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post # 28 Honor Guard. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the funeral at church. Interment will take place in Spring Lake Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Roland may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church or Lakeshore Lutheran Fellowship Church. Please sign the family’s online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456.
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