Butch Greiffendorf

On Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 10:25 AM, Julius R. (Butch) Greiffendorf, Sr. won his battle with pain and slipped his earthly bonds to begin his next stage of life. Butch passed peacefully at homein Grand Junction, MI with his wife, Diane, of 48 years at his side.

He was born December 17, 1943 in Allegan, MI. Son of Julius M. Greiffendorf, Jr. and Margaret (Konrath). Butch graduated from Bloomingdale High School in 1962. He married Diane Lombardi, his High School sweetheart of two and a half years on October 17, 1964. Butch and Diane settled in Breedsville, MI where they lived for 40 years before moving to Grand Junction.

 In 1974 he began working at BEI Inc. in South Haven. In 1982 he was promoted to General Manager and Head Salesman. He pioneered a movement to take BEI Inc. back to the manufacturing of blueberry harvesters of new designs and abilities; Little Blue, Trax, LBT, Top Loader and Little Trax. He involved BEI Inc. personnel and suppliers directly in the development of all his ideas for new equipment. Sales rapidly increased with 20+ harvesters and 350 pieces of packing house equipment the yearly norm.

After 28 very successful years of leading BEI Inc. Butch was approached by Greg Furniss of BBC Technologies in New Zealand with an opportunity to start their USA operations. At age 58 the opportunity to start anew does not come often and he embraced the opportunity.  He had a very successful career with BBC up until the day of his passing.

He was liked, respected and trusted by everyone in the Blueberry industry. Butch was recognized by the blueberry industry for his contributions and achievements in 2012.  The North American Blueberry Council presented him with the Alex Wetherbee Award which is presented to industry members who have made great contributions to the blueberry industry. The NABC presented Butch with the award at their National meeting on October 3, 2012 in St. Louis, MO. Butch also received the MBG Marketing Pioneer Award on November 1, 2012 in Holland, MI. He was very honored and humbled to receive both awards.

Butch Greiffendorf has the kind of grassroots American story that embraces core values like honesty, hard work and integrity. It is a story that every young entrepreneur should learn.

Butch was active in local politics; served on the Breedsville Village Council as Trustee and Street Commissioner for over 20 years and served on the Columbia Township Board as trustee for more than 14 years. He was instrumental in organizing and overseeing the Breedsville Memorial Day Parade for more than 40 years. Butch felt called to serve his community and was passionate about his civic responsibilities.

Butch is survived by his wife Diane, sons Rick of Breedsville and Clay and daughter-in-law Janis of Saginaw and grandsons Daniel Honeycutt, Ricky and Brenden, brother Tom of Grand Junction, nieces Sister Mary Agnes O.P. (Hilary), Rachel, Lauren (Mike) Harris, Sister-in-law Gina Lombardi and husband Tom Case of Virginia, Brother-in-law Mike Lombardi and wife Tommie Jo of Texas, Aunts Rose Gordon and Leona Remington, Cousin Gerald Remington and wife Lucy of Bloomingdale, and numerous other cousins, great nieces and nephews. Butch was preceded in passing by his parents and sister-in-law, Lois Greiffendorf.

Butch was a devoted husband, father and family man. He loved to spend time with his grandsons, best friend and brother Tom and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He will be greatly missed by family, friends and those involved in the blueberry industry. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make an expression of sympathy please consider donating to Hospice at Home at P. O. Box 990, 05055 Blue Star Hwy. in South Haven, MI 49090. You are invited to join the family at a celebration of Butch’s life to be held on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Simpson United Methodist Church at 507 Joy St. in Bangor from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.