Ronald Edward Bodtke

August 24th, 1932 - May 14th, 2016

Ronald's Memory Wall

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Dear Family,
We send our most sincere prayers & love to the whole Family. We never personally met the Patriarch of the Family, but we grew up & was blessed to know the fruits of his BEST labor....his Children. I learned his teachings through his Children. The best lesson I adore most is how to love & raise a Family successfully.
I, Thank your Husband & Father for being a great wonderful Father & Husband. For his example is my life lesson. His goodness & love for his dearest Family will not be forgotten by us. GOD BLESS THE WHOLE FAMILY & send the comforter to soothe the pain of his homecoming quickly & beautifully to his Wife his beloved life Partner, to every Child of his, to his Family Members near & far, to all his legacies....his Grand Children / Great Grand Children, his dear Friends & Anyone who knew him. Peace be still to help all endure this season. Know GOD is with you all. We will be keeping you all in our prayers. Hugs galore~☆~
Always,
The Adams' Family

Ms. Judy Adams & Family

Our sorrow, and Prayers go out to Phyllis, and the entire Family. Working with Ron (with not for) was an experience everyone should realize in their Lifetime. I don't think Ron ever recognized anyone as working for him as He always treated you as Family, (The Family of Cornerstone)! From the early days when he would bring 2-3 Crates into the Assc., 'til the time he was the Blueberry Association. He was always just Ron, a Great Man, and Friend to all that knew Him. I could say more about a "True" Friend, but I think this describes Him best. He will surely be missed by all that knew Him. Goodbye Ol' Friend may You Rest at Piece !

Stanley, and Joanne Morris Sr.

Dear Phyllis and family:
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. I just learned of Ron's passing from a contact at MSU. Ron was a highly respected leader in the blueberry industry and I know that others in the family are continuing his legacy. It has been impressive for me to follow some of successes of old high school classmates. We wish you all the best in this trying time. Ron's faith has and will continue to serve him well. Ron will live on in those of us who had the good fortune to have known him.

Robbin Thorp

While I did not know Ron and his wife I did have the privilege of going to Bloomingdale School with Larry, who was in my class as well as Tom, Kay and Pam. Even then one knew they came from a good strong family with good Christian values. They excelled in their studies, were kind to everyone and were liked by students and staff alike. They are now adults with lovely families of there own and have taken on there own roles as important members of the community and in carrying on their fathers legacy in how to conduct business and treat others. It is obvious through the postings here just how many lives he touched and in so many ways. But right now your hearts are heavy with the tragic loss of a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Which in the end - were his greatest accomplishments. May God Bless you and your families.

Penny Andrews

Thank You Ron for leading by example. We will remember you as a true friend! True and honest feelings and opinions expressed in an honorable way at all the gatherings we have had the privilege being part of with you , whether it was about the blueberry business or about life and family. You and Phyllis have raised a wonderful family and you have left a legacy that will live forever. God will smile upon you and you will rest in peace as you have earned it.
Condolences to Phyllis and all the family.

Mike and Mary Makara

Greater South Haven includes all the small, independent farm communities within a small radius of the harbor. But the South Haven area is not great because of these, or the beach or even the Great Blueberry Festival. This area is great because of men like Ron Bodtke. My Father and Mother were close friends of Ron and Phyllis through an unwavering faith and fellowship in the church. My Father considered Ron to be one of the best people he’s ever met. Though I left town early as a young adult, I have strong, clear memories of a real, solid man in Ron. I hope that Ron, Dan & Martha are where their faith said they would be now, reunited to live forever.
With condolences to Phyllis and the Bodtke Family, Dan Anderson, Arlington Heights, IL.

Dan Anderson

To the Bodtke and extended family,
Our family has been traveling the past month but finally we had a few minutes to gather our thoughts around a great man that we have admired so much these many years. All of us involved in the blueberry industry felt the positive presence of Ron and his leadership. If it was needed to be said, Ron would stand. If time or energy was needed, Ron would be there. It is his gift to us that we had the pleasure to know him. A great man that left the world a better place. We were enriched by his presence and are better now because of his contributions.
The Brazelton/Aust family

The Brazelton/Aust Family

Dear Phyllis, Tom and all your big family, please take my sincerest condolences. With Ron's death something very important disappeared from my life. It was usual and a pleasure to see Ron's smiling face every time he came to Russia. He was the one who literally brought Lord into my life and lives of many novgorodians . I was very fortunate to have prayers with him during his staying in Russia and many years ago in the states. He wanted to be friends with Novgorod and I missed him very much. May be one day I come to his grave and bow my head to a great man. May God be with you in your time of need.
Sergey Raskin, Novgorod Russia.