Ronald Edward Bodtke

Ronald Edward Bodtke, 83, of Grand Junction, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2016, at his home. Ron was born August 27, 1932 to Harry and Norma (Jewell) Bodtke in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1951 and attended Michigan State College Ag Short Course. He married Phyllis Bowers on July 25, 1953 at Chapel Hill United Brethren Church in Sodus, Michigan. Ron served his country in the Army during the Korean War.

Ron was a blueberry farmer, founder of Cornerstone Ag and Beeches Golf Club, and instrumental in the founding of Pan American Blueberry Growers in the Pacific Northwest. He was a member of the Michigan Blueberry Growers Association, Farm Bureau, Fellowship of Christian Farmers, and the First Congregational Church of Grand Junction, among others.

Ron loved His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and glorified Him by loving Phyllis, family, and friends; sharing deer hunting camp in Felch, Michigan for over 65 years with anyone and everyone that would go with him; traveling to all 50 states with Phyllis; traveling to every continent except Antarctica; and visiting the friends of Novgorod, Russia numerous times.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, George Cuthbert; and father- and mother-in-law, Don and Wilma Bowers.

Ron is survived by his wife, Phyllis; children – Tom (Arlene) Bodtke, of South Haven; Larry (Liana) Bodtke of Grand Junction; Pam (Joe) Stafford of Holland; and Kay (Lupe)Trevino of South Haven; grandchildren – Lydia Trevino, Kayla Trevino, Claire Bodtke, Lindsey (Jared) Heys, Emily Bodtke, Bryce Bodtke, Daniel (Kim) Stafford, Sarah (Kyle) Chanski, Stephen Stafford, Nathan Stafford, Luke (Emily) Stafford, Elizabeth Stafford, Naomi Stafford, Andrew Stafford, Jessica (Peter) Hammer, Michael (Kathryn) Bodtke, Jeffrey (Jodi) Bodtke, and Robert (Lindsay) Bodtke; and great-grandchildren – Eliza, Andrew, Jackson, Hazel, Esther, Madison, Aubrey, Katherine, Joseph, and Mathias. He is survived by his siblings: Donald (Chris) Bodtke, Bonnie Cuthbert, Connie (Jon) Renbarger, and Susan Stafford. He is also survived by Phyllis’ sibling, Charley Bowers, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, and funeral services will be on Wednesday, May 18 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Todd Van Grouw officiating. Both will be at Hope Reformed Church in South Haven. Ron will be laid to rest at Grand Junction Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ron’s memory to Fellowship of Christian Farmers, 221 W. Main St, Lexington, Illinois, 61753 or Michigan State Horticultural Society, 63806 90th Ave., Hartford, Michigan, 49057.