Wendell P. Borns' Obituary
Wendell Paul Borns went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, November 2, 2020 in Muskegon, MI at the age of 79. Wendell was born on December 20, 1940 in Muskegon, Michigan to Arthur and Rita (Manigold) Borns. He graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1959 and served his country in the United States Army. On December 27, 1966 Wendell welcomed his first child Kurt Paul Borns, and then on March 6, 1971 he welcomed his daughter Wendy Marie Borns. Wendell was a master butcher and co-owner of Borns Market. He had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and joke around, but when it came to his craft, he was all business. He prided himself on his mastery of specialty meats; beef jerky, bacon and a variety of sausages. However, Wendell enjoyed interacting with his customers more than anything, making sure they received nothing but the best. Besides being a skilled butcher, Wendell was also blessed with the gift of a green thumb for gardening. He would spend countless hours outside each spring and summer tending to his garden and yard. Wendell loved collecting rocks; built rock flower beds, rock walls and most impressive was the rock waterfall feature in the middle of one of his flower gardens. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting, but realized as he got older, that butchering the deer was more his forte than actually hunting the deer. He loved all things outdoors and was an avid fisherman, enjoying that pastime first with his son and then later on with his grandson. He was quite talented and a man of many trades. Wendell will always be remembered for his mild mannered and easy-going personality. He was an adventurous man with a funny sense of humor that was balanced, with a slight touch of German stubbornness. He will truly be missed by all that knew him. Wendell is survived by his daughter, Wendy (Joe) Whalen, grandson Ayden; long-time partner, Shirley Wilkinson; 2 brothers, Walter (Cleo) Borns and David (Mikki) Borns; 3 sisters, Anne Green, Gloria Paul and Patricia (Robert) Geer; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Rita Borns; son, Kurt Borns; and brother, Douglas Borns. A Memorial Service will be held in early summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Wendell’s honor can be made direct to the Wounded Warriors Foundation. Condolences can be sent to his daughter Wendy at PO Box 6 Heath MA 01346. Arrangements entrusted to The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. Please share memories with the family and www.sytsemafh.com.
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