Mr. William Henry Closz's Obituary
Mr. William Henry Closz, age 81, passed away early Monday morning, April 2, 2012, at his home surrounded by family. Bill was born June 5, 1930 in Muskegon to Dr. Harold F. and Elizabeth (Cox) Closz. He received his Master’s Degree in English from DePauw University and, later on, his Master’s Degree in School Administration from Western Michigan University. He taught school in the Orchard View School system for over 30 years, many of those spent as Principal of Jolman Elementary School. He was a long time member of the Michigan Education Association and Delta Tau Delta. He was very active at both St. Paul’s and St. Gregory’s Episcopal Churches, where he served on the vestry and as a choir member. He also served as a scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America Troop 1053. Bill was well known and well-loved in his community. He married the former Mary Renkenberger in Muskegon on March 26, 1951, and together they opened their hearts and home to anyone in need. He is SURVIVED by his devoted wife of 61 years, Mary, and their children, David (Clare) Closz, Katie Fallert, Robin (Dave) Thomas, Tracy (Mike) Damm, Denise (Jeff) Slaby, Pete (Ronna) Kennison, Jeff Closz, Betsy Washburn, Debbie (Randy) Chorny, Rena Manrique (Dan DeWolfe), Bobby Closz, Kim Weenum, Beth (Pat) Cline, Becky Nevitt, Donna (Al) Sifuentes, Kim Reed, Pat (Linda) Closz, Louis Closz, Donna (Ted) Robinson, Josh Closz, Tori (Casey) Jones; their grandchildren, Michael (Lissa) Closz, Sean Closz, Brendan Closz (Joey Burgam), Rory Closz, Ryan (Summer) Fallert, Matt Fallert, Jenny Fallert, Chris (Iris) Gerstenfeld, Megan Gerstenfeld, Melissa Gerstenfeld, Katrina (Jeremy) Peppers, Nathan Kennison, Brandon Kennison, Travis Kennison, Haley Kennison, Cassie Chorny, Jacqueline Slaby, Lisa Heibel (Aaron Ishmael), Jill Swanson, Mandy Manrique, Kevin (Jenny) Weenum, Kayleigh Weenum, Ariana Herin, Tony (Mandy) Cline, Cecelia Cline, Jessica Nevitt, Jimmy Nevitt, Justin Nevitt, Ian Sifuentes, Hannah Sifuentes, Crystal Ferencsik, Nicole Arend, Desirae (Steven) Hendricks, Cody Reed (Dominique Vanslooten), Chris Forward, Alexandra Closz, Nicholas Hosler, Ka’sia Closz, Dillon Robinson, Connor Robinson, Jada Robinson, Bowen Robinson, Heather Tanner, Cameron Closz and Caiden Closz; their great-grandchildren, Finn Closz, Jake Bowlin, April Bowlin, Torrance Fallert, Tinley Fallert, Rachelle Gerstenfeld, Cody Gerstenfeld, Alexis Gerstenfeld, Logan Gerstenfeld, Christian Thomas, Cheyenne Thomas, Mya Thomas, Treven Ishmael, Taelyn Ishmael, Duncan Hosta-Manrique, Anthony Cline, Marlie Raffaele, Cali Reed and Trianna Ross; his brothers, Charles (Norie) Closz and Harold (Peggy) Closz. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Harold and Elizabeth Closz; his step-mother, Sarah (Sally) Closz; his sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Vern West; his daughter, Sherry Arend; and his granddaughter, Alaina Robinson. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at 4 PM Sunday, April 22, 2012 at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church (1200 Seminole Rd.) with Fr. William Fleener officiating. VISITATION with the family will be from 2-4 pm that afternoon. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to Mercy VNS Hospice, Boy Scouts of America Troop 1053 or St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church. Share memories with the family at their on-line guestbook @ www.sytsemafh.com. The Closz family would like to express GRATITUDE to the healthcare workers that have cared for Bill throughout the years and to family friends for the overwhelming extension of love and concern.
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