Howard Hendricks

Howard Alvin Hendricks was born in the rural farming town of McBain, Michigan on September 2, 1943. He was the fourth of six children born to Albertus and Genevieve (Bouwer) Hendricks. Unfortunately, he was born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his legs leading to double amputation and lifelong use of prosthetics. However, he never felt sorry for himself nor used it as an excuse for anything ever. He lived a very physically active life beginning early on in his childhood as he had to keep up with his brothers and sister. Farm life demanded lots of chores, yet it seems they always had time for some fun. Howard spent many summers working on his Uncle Albert and Aunt Hannah’s farm. These were times he cherished throughout his lifetime as Hannah showed him the love and nurturing which allowed him to grow and to show to his own children.

He spent his childhood at several different schools in both McBain and Freeland ultimately graduating from Arthur Hill in Saginaw in 1961 at the age of seventeen. Howard had family that worked at Keeler Brass and was told they were hiring. He made his way to Grand Rapids and applied at Keeler. Unfortunately, he needed to be eighteen years old to work at the factory so he decided to attend Calvin College for a year until he was old enough to work at Keeler. During his thirty nine year career at Keeler Brass, Howard made many lifelong friends enjoying bowling, fishing trips and poker parties with his work buddies. He was often mentioned in the Grand Rapids Press for being an exceptional bowler (his personal best - 277!) as a double amputee. He also played softball, hunted, fished, golfed and even water skied once as he never let his ‘disability’ hold him back. He even heated his home for years with wood that he had chopped down himself. When Howard was around twenty-one, he took a leave of absence from work to travel with his cousin Terry. Terry had been drafted into the Vietnam War and had several weeks before he needed to report for duty. They traveled the US in a candy apple red Catalina Convertible with a goal of seeing the continental forty eight states. Many nights were spent with the top down and sleeping under the stars. One of his favorite stories about that trip was from time spent in California. A friend of Terry’s who lived there was really excited about this new band he had been going to see at the local pub. They all went to a show that evening to see this great band. We now know this band as The Beach Boys. Unfortunately, the trip was cut short as Terry’s father was ill and they returned home but were able to visit thirty eight states before reporting for duty.

Howard met Ruth Ammon, a nurse aide, at Butterworth Hospital while visiting his father. He rode in on his motorcycle, walked in with his leather jacket and helmet under his arm, Ruth caught his eye, she gave him her ‘signature’ eyebrow lift and they married in May of 1969.

The biggest joy of his life came two years later in 1971 with the birth of his twin girls. Dianne and Denise became the center of his universe. He always worked hard to provide a good life for his family with not only structure and discipline, but also lots of fun, including vacations and other activities. He often rode bikes, took his girls sledding, taught his girls to play softball and played basketball with them. Family time included board games, cards and puzzles as well as watching the Muppets, MASH, the Tigers, Lions and boxing matches. His attention to detail was always present in his thorough explanations of the rules of each game. The highlight of many years was the week of the summer we would rent a cabin in Baldwin on Bassford Lake. The vacation time included his brothers Herman and Harvey (The three men in a tub) and their families enjoying fishing, swimming, and for a few years trying to catch another glimpse of the snapping turtle ‘the size of our kitchen table”. He enjoyed grilling out, having a couple of beers with his brothers, judging the girl’s water follies and hair-do’s while swimming in Big Star Lake and pontoon rides in the evenings.

Once his girls graduated high school, unfortunately he and Ruth divorced. This began a new chapter in his life adjusting to bachelorhood once again. He spent time at several different establishments including Southside’s and Brann’s making friends along the way. This social life led him to start a pool team with his daughter Denise and then son-in-law Tim. They enjoyed this activity together for over a decade.

Upon retirement from the company originally known as Keeler Brass, he then ventured out and started his own business “Alvin’s Speedy Delivery”, an expediting service for manufacturing plants. His position at Keeler gave him connections to succeed launching his new company. Through this second career is where he felt he was most successful, confident and accomplished as he worked hard paying off his home early, purchasing some property on Muskellunge lake with a pontoon boat and saving for a comfortable retirement. Howard and Ruth remained close and still spent quality time all together for many holidays, birthdays and other events. It was during this time, he welcomed his first grand child, Christopher. Six years later he was blessed with two more grandchildren, Timothy and Claire, with Tyler following two years later. He enjoyed being Papa Howard and being an active part of their lives. Howard took pride in his grandchildren and their accomplishments. Christopher, joining the Navy, Tim working to hard to purchase his first home at the age of nineteen, Claire being accepted into Michigan Tech University, and Tyler earning his Eagle Scout with his help on his Eagle project then going to Lake Superior State University for mechanical engineering were just a few of the things that brought him great joy.

At the age of seventy-five, Howard decided to made a lifelong dream of his into reality by teaching himself woodworking with a particular fondness for the lathe. Learning from YouTube and getting ideas from Pinterest, his beautiful work showcased his tendency for the need of perfection. He created many beautifully turned bowls, charcuterie boards and other crafted items. He sold many pieces at flea markets, craft shows and garage sales with the help and guidance of his beloved CEO and PR agent of “Woodn’t it be Nice”, his daughter Denise.

Howard was a sweet, gentle and quiet soul who deeply loved his family. He was a reserved man, who had the model integrity and leadership which we all treasured. He always had very soft spoken way of interacting with his loved ones. He was not one to talk much, but when he did people listened. He was not about earthly possessions whatsoever, but he sure loved his Ford F-150 and his John Deere tractor. Having his new tractor, he was able to contribute to his community by mowing the grass at the Lamont community park each summer. He also loved driving his tractor around Lamont “putting the neighborhood to bed”.

Howard Hendricks was a dearly loved man. He was a thinker, freakishly good with numbers and facts. He was quiet but instantly liked by everyone he met. He loved spending time with his family which included Sunday dinners watching sports and spending time on the deck talking about the trees and the birds with Denise and his dearly loved son-in-law, Shane. Howard enjoyed a treasured friendship with Shane as they shared many qualities, interests and beliefs. In September 2024, another lifelong dream of his came true. Howard, his girls and Shane enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to Alaska. Dad dreamed of seeing Denali in person and was absolutely awe-struck with God’s beautiful creations. The trip included a wonderful cruise, a lot of sight seeing and together time as a family. The time they spent together was truly a gift. Dianne and Denise are so thankful they were able to share this experience with their father.

Howard is now rejoicing with Jesus, having a complete heavenly body. We are all assured of an eternal life with Christ as our Savior for all who believe in him.

Isaiah 40:31 - ‘but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’

Howard Hendricks of Lamont, Michigan, ran into the arms of his Lord Jesus on Friday, July 11, 2025 unexpectedly yet peacefully at the age of 81. We praise God that his body was made whole again through Christ. He was born in McBain, Michigan on September 2, 1943. He is survived by his twin girls, Dianne Hendricks (Jason Foster) and Denise Hendricks and dearly loved son-in-law Shane Gerard; his beloved grandchildren Christopher and Claire Hammond and Timothy and Tyler Sokoloski; the mother of his girls and dear friend Ruth Hendricks; his best friend and brother Harvey Hendricks, and brothers Herman and Randy Hendricks as well as several nieces and nephews. Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A service of fellowship will be at Heritage Story Funeral home 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49594 on Saturday July 19, 2025, at 11 am. Family will receive visitors prior to service starting at 10 am. and all are encouraged to join family after the service for celebration and luncheon at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or St Jude's Children's Hospital, organizations that were meaningful and dear to Howard's heart. Please visit www.heritagelifestory.com to submit a memory or photo of Howard or to sign his online guest book.