Gary Terpening

Gary E. Terpening was a kind and loving man, known for his big heart and his intoxicating love for life. His family and friends will remember this active man for his commitment to his faith, his love for his family and his passion for golfing, fishing, hunting, boating, and just about any activity that allowed him to spend time with his family. Although many people will miss having Gary as a close friend, he will be held in special reverence by those who knew him as a grandfather, father and husband.

In the late 1920s, people in the United States were finding themselves in the wake of the stock market crash of the Great Depression. Companies tried to create jobs for the unemployed masses, but their attempts were futile. Families banded together and returned to a simpler style of life in order to get through the hard times. For Alfred and Myrtle (Grunwell) Terpening, life in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was filled with days of delight and new adventures. Already the parents of two children, on April 19, 1930, they welcomed the birth of their third child, Gary.

Young Gary grew up on the north end of Grand Rapids where he attended Aberdeen Elementary School and graduated from Creston High School in 1949. Gary was very athletic and while in high school he participated in a variety of sports from football and track to basketball and baseball. Despite his busy sports schedule, Gary could also be found pursuing many outdoor activities such as jumping off the 6th Street Bridge into the Grand River for some summer fun. While in high school, Gary also worked in the Gypsum Mines. Because there was a minimum weight requirement for such work and at that time Gary was a lightweight, he was told to eat a bunch of bananas and then return again for the weigh in. It must have worked because he toiled in the mines for many years. Later on in life, he would accompany his grandchildren on their school field trips to the mines and he would recall many of these memories.

School dances were common activities after sporting events during Gary’s adolescence. These dances were either held at their school or another school and quite often the YMCA hosted dances for young people. It was at one of these social gatherings at the YMCA that Gary met a young lady named Dorothy Bilski, who was a friend of his then girlfriend. Later on in Dorothy’s senior year, she and Gary become better acquainted and a beautiful courtship ensued. Also at this time, Gary and a few of his friends enlisted with the U.S. Navy serving his country honorably during the Korean Conflict. Although the service took Gary miles from home, his sweet Dorothy stayed on his mind the entire time he was gone. Whenever he was able to get a weekend pass, Gary would race home to see Dorothy and Dorothy would do the same whenever possible. Tired of being apart, Gary and Dorothy were married in 1954, after which Dorothy happily accompanied her husband during his last few months of military service.

Dorothy’s strong Catholic upbringing was an important part of her life and in order for her and Gary to marry; he too had to be Catholic. Because his love for Dorothy was so deep, Gary didn’t hesitate a moment and began taking the necessary classes to become a Catholic while in the Navy. It was during this momentous phase that his strong faith emerged and forever changed his life. He later became an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He participated in weekly masses, served as an usher club member as well as supported the various fundraisers sponsored by the church. Gary lived out his faith by being willing to help anyone in need without seeking recognition or repayment. This was clearly the case when he drove food weekly to God’s Kitchen, where homeless and poor people could get their meals.

After being discharged from the Navy, Gary and Dorothy established their first home on the northeast side of Grand Rapids. The young couple would experience tragedy early with the loss of their first child who passed away 4 weeks after birth. Shortly thereafter, they moved to the west side settling in their home on Maplerow Street. It was here that they experienced great joy with the addition of three children, Tim, Lynne and Terence, who brought great joy and happiness to the Terpening household.

After returning to Grand Rapids, Gary began a new job, working for the railroad. He didn’t like this job and it seemed that Dorothy detested it even more. Some time later, his lifelong friend and former schoolmate, Dick Walsh, helped him get a job at Steelcase. Gary worked in the shipping department for 33 years and during the last 15 years; he was the shipping department supervisor. Gary truly enjoyed his job and became known around the plant as “Shipping Gary.” His strong work ethics and integrity made him a great asset to the company. Not many people can proudly say they had a perfect attendance record after 33 years, but Gary could!

Gary was an interested and active father while his children were growing up. He showered them with plenty of encouragement in their childhood from attending all their school functions to coaching baseball teams. No matter what they did, Gary was always supportive of his children. Gary also loved to spend time with his family. Many fond memories were made at their cottage on Diamond Lake in Newaygo County, where they enjoyed the sunshine, boating, fishing and swimming. To Gary, there was nothing more relaxing than being surrounded by his family and enjoying each other’s company, particularly when it came to the many building and remodeling projects he always had going on. The cottage was not only enjoyed by the Terpening family, but Dorothy’s family shared many wonderful times with them too.

In 1987, Gary was faced with some health problems and it was also at this time that Steelcase offered him an early retirement buy out. After much consideration, he and Dorothy accepted the offer and made plans to spend quality time together for as long as the Lord allowed. After enduring surgery and treatment, Gary and Dorothy were able to spend several more years making wonderful memories together.

Gary found retirement immensely enjoyable. He and Dorothy took to traveling most often with their long time friends, Faith and Chuck, in their motor home. Their adventurous trips usually lasted for three weeks wherein they traveled extensively throughout the United States. Gary also became an avid golf player participating on the Steelcase Golf League as well as the Holy Spirit League. He often took golfing trips with friends to such places as Myrtle Beach and other beautiful courses around the country. Though his hole in one shot at the Lincoln Golf Club was one of the highlights of his many golf outings. Gary also enjoyed being a member of the American Legion, the Steelcase Retirees Club and a 25-year member of the Elks Country Club. He often volunteered to help with community projects in connection with these clubs. As a Steelcase Retirees Club member, he happily drove donated food items to God’s Kitchen. He and Dorothy enjoyed showing their Christmas spirit as part of the “Elf Crew” whose job was to assist with the plans and preparation of the Christmas party.

Visiting casinos was another passion for Gary. His casino hopping has credited him with “seeing every casino in the State of Michigan.” After a trip to Panama City, Florida, Gary and Dorothy took to spending many Michigan winters in the warmer climate of Florida. Of all the wonderful places they visited, Gary adamantly said that he could be anywhere, as long as it was with his beloved Dorothy. Although Gary’s favorite food was spaghetti, he thoroughly enjoyed breakfast and much to Dorothy’s delight, he always prepared it too. One of Gary’s greatest joys in life was his children and grandchildren. Being retired, he had plenty of time to spend with his six grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to be their number one fan at their games and cheerleading events. One memorable trip they took consisted of a motor home and all six grandchildren.

With family so important to him, Gary and Dorothy treated their entire family to a Caribbean cruise in 1998. There isn’t one member of the family who doesn’t have fond memories of this trip together. Their trip fell over the Father’s Day weekend and one that will be treasured in their hearts forever. Gary E. Terpening went to be with his Lord on Thursday, March 18, 2004, in Panama City, Florida. Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Dorothy Terpening; his children: Tim (Pat) Terpening, Lynne (Craig) Oosterhouse, and Terence (LaLonda) Terpening; his grandchildren: Jennifer, Tiffany and Lacy Terpening, Andrew, Kendra and Katelyn Oosterhouse; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Pat (Don) Chase, and Tom (Sharon) Bilski; and several nephews and nieces.

Mass of the Christian burial will be held on Thursday, March 25, at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Interment will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Park. A Bible Vigil service will be held on Wednesday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Gary reposes at the Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W., where relatives and friends may meet his family on Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Holy Spirit Building Fund or the charity of your choice would be appreciated. Please visit Gary’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com to read his life story, leave a memory, sign the online memory book or make a memorial contribution in his memory.

Gary leaves a legacy of faith and commitment for his children and grandchildren, and his example is precious to all who knew him.