April Prentice

April Prentice – A Life Filled With Love, Laughter, and Light

Loving, generous, kind, and fun, April Prentice lived a life rich with family, friends, and joy. Determined and hardworking, she was loyal to those she loved and always wanted the best for everyone she met. Whether you were family, a friend, a patient, a coworker, or even a stranger, April went out of her way to make sure you felt cared for. She spoke the truth, even when it wasn’t easy, and embraced each day as the gift it was. Those who knew her will tell you: even in life’s hardest moments, April chose to be a bright light in this world.

An incredible mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, April was a beautiful example of how to live wholeheartedly. She excelled in everything she set her mind to, but more than that, she excelled at loving people deeply and making them feel valued.

A Joyful Beginning

The year 1980 brought the world Post-It notes, Pac-Man, and the Rubik’s Cube, but the greatest excitement was in the home of Robert and Sharon (Minnema) Prentice. On November 7, they welcomed their youngest child, April, into the world.

Growing up at 550 8 Mile Rd NW in Comstock Park with her older siblings, Michael and Stacie, April shared a close bond with her family. Her parents worked hard—her mother as a nurse’s aide, waitress, homemaker, and retail worker, and her father as a fence installer, carpet layer, and snowplow driver. For many years, the family owned and operated Betty’s BBQ in Comstock Park.

Family life was full of simple joys—holidays spent together at home, summer visits to a cousin’s dairy farm in Wisconsin, and fun trips to Mackinac Island and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. April loved swimming, dance class and recitals, spending time with Grandma Doris, and helping out at the family restaurant. She adored her cousins, who became lifelong friends.

A Heart for Caring and Adventure

Even as a child, April had a natural gift for caring for others. She joined a “special buddies” group in elementary school to help fellow students, was active in Girl Scouts, played basketball and softball, joined drama club, and cheered in high school (where her team even performed at the Outback Bowl in Florida). She also served on the student council, yearbook committee, and as a volunteer for the PAW Committee, helping at animal shelters. As a member of PALs (Peer Assisted Listening), she mentored other students.

High school brought some amazing adventures, including trips to Disney, Washington, D.C., and even Europe. April had a lifelong love of sea life, especially dolphins and orca whales, and once dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. But her love for family was stronger than her desire to live near the ocean, so she chose a different path close to home.

After graduating with the Sparta High School Class of 1999, April earned her associate’s degree at Grand Rapids Community College and trained as a Medical Assistant. Her career at Corewell Health Orthopedics as a surgery scheduler brought her great satisfaction—she loved helping patients and took great pride in her work.

Family, Travel, and the Little Joys

April’s love for family never wavered. As adults, she and her family enjoyed trips to Disney World, SeaWorld, and many Caribbean cruises. In 2017, they celebrated her nephew’s graduation from Navy Boot Camp, and in recent years, April cherished more family cruises and vacations in Cancun and Punta Cana with her sister.

At home, she enjoyed reality TV, working in her yard (she had quite the landscaping skills!), and dancing—April was known for her great dance moves and loved Girls’ Nights Out. Her favorite music included Justin Timberlake’s “Sexy Back,” Usher’s “Yeah,” and Rob Base’s “It Takes 2.”

She also had a sweet tooth and some fun food quirks. April wasn’t much of a cook but was famous for her Kraft Mac & Cheese made only with Cheese Wiz and Tuna Helper. She loved Olive Garden pasta, pizza, and fast food from Wendy’s, Panda Express, Culver’s, and Chick-fil-A. Her favorite treat was peanut butter lasagna, but she never turned down Gummi Bears, Mike and Ikes, Twix, Kit Kats, or Milk Duds.

The Role She Cherished Most

On March 30, 2008, April’s greatest joy arrived—her son, Caleb. Being his mom was the role she cherished most. Patient, loving, and strong, April worked hard to give Caleb a home filled with love and support. She taught him to be kind, generous, and independent, and she loved every moment they spent together. Movie nights were their favorite tradition, and one of her proudest accomplishments was teaching Caleb to drive.

A Legacy of Love

For those who knew her, there was truly no one like April. Though our time with her was far too short, every moment was a gift. She leaves behind a legacy of unwavering love, strength, and joy.

As we celebrate her life, we honor her by carrying forward the best parts of who she was: loving deeply, helping others, finding joy in the little things, cheering on those we love, savoring sweet treats, and embracing life with an open heart. In doing so, we keep April’s light shining brightly—just as she always did for us.

April Renee Prentice, age 44, of Comstock Park, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, July 21, 2025, after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. In her final days, she was surrounded by her loving family, and she passed away with her sister by her side.

April is preceded in death by her father, Robert, as well as by her grandparents, Harold "Bud" and Betty Minnema, and Marvin and Doris Prentice.

April is survived by her son, Caleb, as well as her mother, Sharon; brother, Michael; sister, Stacie (Byron) Lewis; and cousins Sheila and Shelly.

Also surviving are Caleb's father, Christopher (Samantha) McCallum, and Caleb's siblings, Lexi and Cameron, as well as nieces and nephews, Nathan, Caitlyn, Ace, Ren Lewis, Tristin, and Ethan Prentice.

April's funeral service is scheduled to take place at 1:00 PM, Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Van Strien Chapel (1833 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49505). Friends may visit with April's family prior to the service beginning at 11:00 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the benefit of April's son Caleb at https://gofund.me/60011f0f