L.D. Clyde Curtis' Obituary
Howard City - L.D. Clyde Curtis, 91, of Howard City, passed away at Metron of Big Rapids on Monday, February 15, 2016. Clyde was born on July 23, 1924, on the family farm in Barryton, Michigan, one of 10 children born to George and Mabel (Enyart) Curtis. At the age of 16, Clyde had to quit school to run the farm after his father was killed by a drunk driver. In 1946, he joined the Army Air Force. On June 5, 1948, Clyde married Geraldine F. Gietzen in Remus. He then returned to school and earned his GED. Clyde worked in construction, ran an appliance store and repaired appliances for many years. He built the Skatecrest roller skating rink in Mt. Pleasant, in the early 1960's and the Skate Estate roller skating rink in Howard City in the late 1970's. He also built and operated the "City of Grand Rapids" riverboat on the Grand River in the late 1960's. Clyde was an accomplished woodworker and built many pieces of furniture, including 40-50 grandfather clocks for family and friends. As a child, he made the casket for his brother Robert who died shortly after birth. In 2003, Clyde and several family members journeyed to Colorado to personally deliver a grandfather clock he made especially for Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family Ministries. Clyde was passionate about his family and loved the birthday lunches his siblings still hold each month. He was a tease and kidded everyone, including the nurses and staff at Metron. "They take excellent care of me," he said. Clyde is survived by his wife Geraldine; daughter Denise (Paul) Jefts of Big Rapids and son Lanny (Tammy) Curtis of Howard City. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren Karen Jefts of Grand Rapids, Carl (Tasia) Jefts of Rodney, Lynne (Jim) Garvey of Canton, Randy (Kylie) Curtis of Pottersville, New York, Chad Curtis of Comstock Park, Alicia Curtis of Edmond, Oklahoma, Maria Curtis of Howard City; great- granddaughter Eva Jefts; sisters Doris Drake of Barryton, Carroll Hull of Muskegon, and Beverley (Clois) Bowman of Reed City; brother Ron (Gerry) Curtis of Big Rapids; brother-in-law Allen (Bonnie) Gietzen; sister-in-law Frances Gietzen Richards; many nieces and nephews; and a great granddaughter on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mabel Curtis; father and mother-in-law Alfred and Margaret Gietzen; sisters Barbara Carroll, Neva Fenton, Wilma Fenton, and Marge Weeks; infant brother Robert; sister-in-law Bethyl Walthers; brothers-in-law Colin Drake, Wayne Hull, Ford Fenton, Eddie Fenton, Harold Weeks, Brice "Bud" Gietzen, and Walt Walthers; nieces Sheila Bowman and Lori Walthers; nephews David Fenton and Larry Walthers; and great- grandson Ezra Michael Curtis. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, February 19 at the First Baptist Church, 304 East Shaw in Howard City, with Pastor Joshua Putnam officiating. Burial will take place at the St. Apollonia Cemetery in Morley. Clyde's family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, and after 10:00 am Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Clyde's name may be to the "Spectrum Health Foundation," for the Spectrum Health neonatal intensive care unit. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
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