Roman Homrich Sr.

Roman Homrich was born to Leander and Matilda Homrich on February 4th, 1939 in Byron Center Michigan. He was the oldest of what would become a family of three siblings, embracing his role of big brother to Lyle and Nancy. Nancy fondly remembers him teaching her how to water ski at the family cottage where they spent many summer days and nights on the lake.

Roman had a wonderful childlike sense of humor. His smile was contagious. He was a jokester who inspired much laughter and hope and lit up every room with his bright spirit, endearing himself to family and strangers alike.

He began his work life at the ripe old age of 14, at Ben and Goldie’s grocery store. Ben and Goldie became like family to him and they had a close bond for the rest of their lives. His work ethic continued past being a stock boy though, as he worked through an apprenticeship program and subsequently spent 55 years as a millwright working for Lear, Kelvinator and finally, General Motors. He was a proud blue collar union man and encouraged many others to be the same throughout his career and even after his eventual retirement. Once he was no longer working, he spent his free time golfing, hunting, and perfecting his carpentry in his woodshop, building heirloom cradles and toy boxes, and most of all spending time with his friends and growing family.

While Roman spent much of his life at, and gained much fulfillment from, his work his real joy came from his family. Roman could cite the history of the Homrich family all the way back to the first German immigrants to settle in the Byron Center area. He could also, with zero difficulty, explain how anyone with the last name “Homrich” was related to anyone else in the family. The love of family was not limited to history. He was the father to three sons, Scott, Todd and Joe and a daughter, Kim, whom he adored. He was an amazing dad and they will miss him dearly. Throughout the years his family continued to grow.

It may have taken Roman a bit of time to get things just right when it came to love and marriage, but in 1981 he asked an old friend out on a date and in 1983 he married her. Diane, the love of his life. They both loved traveling together, and over the years were able to see many different parts of the country from the forests of Michigan’s upper peninsula to the arid sands of New Mexico to the wilds of Alaska. They spent the next 43 years together and his family continued to grow with Diane’s three children Mike, Tami and Shelly. Together they would eventually have 23 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren and his love for each one was obvious to anyone who saw him with them.

In recent years, a growing number of health issues forced Roman to slow down and settle into a more relaxed life of retirement. He still enjoyed watching a good western and especially loved when his son, Scott, who continued his dad’s love of hunting, would text him and send his dad pictures from his day out in the woods or when his daughter, Kim, would come take him and Di out to eat, but one thing that brought back the light in his eyes and his contagious smile in those later days was when his great-granddaughter, Lorna Rose, would come to visit him.

In early November of 2025, he suffered a fall that resulted in a broken hip and shoulder. Surgery repaired the bones, and while he fought hard in rehabilitation and physical therapy his body simply didn’t have the strength to recover in a meaningful way. Several months later his convalescence ended and he passed peacefully in his sleep on January 14th.

As we lay Roman to rest, we take comfort in our memories of shared love and family.

Roman Joseph Homrich, Sr., was born on Feb 4, 1939, and passed on Jan 14, 2026, surrounded by his family, including his loving wife Diane. He is survived and loved by his children, Scott (Patsy) Homrich, Todd (Jeanne) Homrich, Roman Joseph Homrich, Jr., (Dena), Kim (Chad) Fopma and his stepchildren, Mike (Marianne) Heeringa, Tami (Bill) Coyne, and Shelly Heeringa, 23 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, his sister, Nancy Hoekstra and many nieces and nephews. Roman was preceded in death by his parents, Leander & Matilda Homrich, his brother, Lyle Homrich, and brother-in-law, Dan Hoekstra.

On behalf of the family, we would especially like to thank the staff of St. Ann's Nursing Home, New Haven Assisted Living, and Gentiva Hospice for the wonderful care and concern shown to Roman during these last 2 months.

Roman's family will meet with friends on Friday, January 23, 202,6 from 2 - 6 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien Creston Chapel,1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49505. A prayer service will be held at 6 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Northview Senior Center (please mail checks to Northview Public Schools) . To read Roman's life story, sign his personal memory page, or leave a comment, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.