Amos Marshall

Above all, family was by far everything to Amos Marshall. His life was enriched in numerous ways, but with the family he loved by his side, Amos was the happiest. A true family man, Amos held a deep Christian faith and lived by his values and deep convictions. He served as a faithful example for his children to live by, and was a devoted husband, dedicated father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a loyal friend to many. Deeply missed, he will be dearly remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Nestled in the city of Asheville, North Carolina, Amos' story began in the year 1931 as difficult days of the Great Depression created a jobless rate of nearly four million. Even as unemployment skyrocketed, many remained hopeful and looked toward the future. People across the nation were in awe as New York City opened the Empire State Building, and celebrated as the Star-Spangled banner became the national anthem. For Barney and Eloise Itly (Summers) Marshall, the days were made brighter when they welcomed the birth of their son, Amos Reid Marshall on April 13, 1931.

Amos was quite young when he father passed away at the age of 33. He was the third of five children in his family, and his mother was left to raise young Amos and his siblings, Sarah, Barney, George, and David alone until they moved in with his grandparents. When Amos' mother eventually remarried, his family moved to Dorr, Michigan, and later made their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Amos' mother married Richard Worm, who worked as a cook, and four additional children were added to their bustling household. Along with his own siblings, his half-siblings, Chuck, Betty, Shirley, and Sharon all blended well. Amos went to the area schools and attended Wayland High School through the 10th grade. Amos began working at the Johnson Furniture Company which gave him a sense of independence.

The heart of Amos Marshall was forever changed when he met Bonnie Campbell. Amos' brother, George was dating one of her friends, and before long the two were introduced. After dating a short time, Amos and Bonnie fell deeply in love. On October 14, 1950, the young couple exchanged vows of marriage at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Following a brief honeymoon at a local hotel, the newlyweds settled into happily ever after while living with Bonnie's mother for a year. In time they were able to secure their own apartment where they remained for several years. In 1958 they purchased their very own home at 1447 Parkhurst NW. Five years later, they made another move to Northrup Street NW which for the following 52 years, they made their forever home.

It was in this home where Bonnie and Amos raised four fine daughters. Becky was born in 1951, followed by Luanne in 1953, and Sally in 1958. Marilu completed their family in 1963. With a deep, abiding faith, Amos and his family attended Home Acres Bible Church for many years where he served as a deacon, treasurer and was even the interim pastor for a time. He always looked forward to Bonnie's wonderful, Sunday family dinners, and loved Swiss steak. He wasn't much of a cook himself, but he did make really good chili. For many years, Amos and his family rented cottages on various lakes throughout northern Michigan. Eventually, he and Bonnie bought their own cottage on Harvard Lake where many wonderful family memories were made.

Amos worked hard to support his family and provide a good life for Bonnie and the girls. He worked at Eberhard's Grocery Store, Johnson Furniture Company, and later at Betty Trills Texaco Service Station part time where he was a gas jockey, and did repairs. He eventually landed a position at Rowe AMI Industries where he eventually retired, and later worked for Saturn Electronics for 12 years in the warehouse doing stock. He finally retired from there nine years ago at the age of 72. Amos continued to be very involved with Rowe AMI Retirees and was quite active socially with the group.

There were many things Amos found pleasure in. He loved to deer hunt with friends, but when he brought a deer home, his girls were sad. They wouldn’t eat it, and after that, he never brought one home again. Amos enjoyed fishing for walleye in Canada with a few of his buddies, and steelhead and salmon on Lake Michigan. With his uncanny sense of humor, everyone enjoyed Amos' company. He absolutely loved ice cream and windmill cookies, and it always made for a special treat when he took his girls out for an ice cream cone.

Amos appreciated working in his gardens. He was a master tomato grower, and once brought home 95 plants. With an abundance of tomatoes, he always gave many away and helped can them with Bonnie. He maintained a nice strawberry patch, as well. There were a few TV shows Amos enjoyed, including the Antique Road Show, Gaither Homecoming, Judge Judy and Judge Joe Mathias. He also loved to read, especially novels by James Mitchner. The stories told by author Thomas Wolfe were especially close to Amos' heart. Reigning from Asheville, North Carolina, as well, Wolfe wrote about his boyhood home in Asheville growing up in his mother's boardinghouse.

With a penchant for history novels, Amos was quite the history buff. He was an intelligent man in many respects, and knew much about his family genealogy. He loved to talk religion, and shared his love of the Lord through many conversations. Above all, Amos was a strong, Christian family man who lived by example. He read his bible often, and never ceased in praying for others. Amos was a deep thinking man who thought things through. He was partial to southern gospel music, but he also loved the traditional country music of Hank Williams and Johnny Cash.

Amos had the biggest heart for his family, and always loved being with his grandkids. An ever present fixture in their lives, he made time to attend their many school and sporting events. Their love and the respect they held for Amos meant so much to him. This was especially true when his beloved Bonnie died from a heart attack. He leaned upon his Lord, and made it through this difficult time eased by his deep faith and strong family ties.

Five years ago, Amos suffered a heart attack himself and soon received a pacemaker. He kept active these last years until the last six months when his health began to decline. Last Friday, June 7, Amos was taken to the hospital and was admitted after tests revealed he had lung and liver cancer, and his kidneys were failing. Little could be done, and on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, in the early morning hours, Amos peacefully passed away.

Amos will be remembered as a strong family man who lived by his Christian faith. Well loved and well liked by many, he truly loved his family, and his Lord, who meant everything to him.

MARSHALL - Amos R. Marshall, aged 82 of Grand Rapids, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, June 12, 2013. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Marshall in 2009. He is survived by his children, Becky (Donald) Bennett,, Luanne Anderson, Sally (Richard) Cryderman, Marilu (Gordon) Hart; his grandchildren, Andrew Maddox, Ayme (Christopher) Korth, Aubree Anderson, Lucas (Tina) Cryderman, Jenna Cryderman, Nicole Wysocki, Stacey Hart; great-grandsons, Quentin Stoner and Isaac Cryderman; his brother and sisters, Chuck (Carol) Worm, Betty (David) VanDuinen, Shirley (Bill) Nerli, Sharon (Bob) Serba; sister-in-law, Hazel Marshall; nieces, nephews and many friends.

A service to celebrate Amos’s life will be held on Monday, June 17, 2013, 11:00 AM at Heritage life Story Funeral Home–2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Burial in Fairplains Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet his family at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The family has requested contributions in his memory to Rowe AMI Retirees Fund or a charity of your choice. To read more about Amos’s life, to sign his guest book and to leave your own memory of him, please visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com.