Kenneth Archie Larie

Kenneth Archie Larie of Hersey, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Friday, June 20, 2014. Ken was born in Lansing, Michigan, on July 11, 1938, to Walter Harold and Geraldine Viola (Hewson) Larie. Kenneth attended school at North School (Miller Road area), Pattengill Junior High School and graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in January, 1957.

Starting at age nine, Kenneth played Fast Pitch Softball in the Miller Road Lansing area until age 35, when he moved north to Mecosta County. He enjoyed bowling in Lansing and Big Rapids for many years. He was a member of Fraternal Order of the Moose in Lansing and the Chippewa Lake Lions Club which he served as President for several years. Ken also served in the National Guard from 1956 to 1960.

Kenneth worked at Fisher Body, Oldsmobile in Lansing, and Diamond Reo as a truck painter for ten years. Before Diamond Reo closed their Lansing factory, Ken and wife Janet Scarbrough Larie Spedowski and children relocated to their cottage at Pogy Lake (1973). Ken began his 21-year career at Ferris State College/FSU as a custodian, moved to the grounds department, then Skilled Trades as a Journeyman Painter; retiring in 1994 as a Journeyman Plumber.

Ken painted vehicles on weekends and was in partnership for several years with his cousin Robert “Bud” Hewson (1942-2009) at Jehnsen Lake.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Walter H. Larie (1982), mother, Geraldine V. (Hewson) Larie (1992), sister, Patricia Ann (Larie) Braden (2007), daughter, Karen Annette (Larie) Woods Scroggins (2009).

Ken is survived by his wife of 25 years - Barbara Ellen Woods Straley Larie of Hersey; sons, Bruce Alan (Nancy) Larie of Midland; Steven Troy (Sandra) Larie of Paris; Janelle Denise Larie (Aaron) Holsworth of Rodney; Jason Edward (Kimberly) Straley of Big Rapids; Jeffrey Evan (Melinda) Straley of Camden, TN; Monika (Klaus) Schneider Volkert (exchange student/daughter) of Germany; and, Carol (Craig) Lineberry (daughter-in-law) of Clarkston, Michigan. He is survived by 21 grandchildren: Joshua (Brenda) Wood of Lansing, Eddie (Samantha) Bott Jr. of Blanchard; Justin Walter Larie of Adrian; Bruce Alan Larie Jr. of Waterford; Andrew Valdespina, Benjamin Straley of Big Rapids; Jesika (Dustin) Hammer, Hailey Brown, Piper & Kristopher Straley of Alpena; Steven & Brenden Larie of Paris; Matthew, Roy, Kellie Holsworth of Rodney, Sgt. Jacob (Danielle) Morningstar of Texas, Joseph, James and Leah Morningstar of Big Rapids/Paris; Raphael, Johanna Volkert of Germany; he is also survived by eight great-grandchildren; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

After retirement from FSU, Ken and Barb owned and worked at Columbine Stained Glass Studio in Chippewa Lake and Hersey (since 1998). Ken found a love for cutting and designing stained glass, giving them an opportunity to make lasting memories with rainbows of glass for six churches and many homes in the area as well as windows in Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Alabama, and Idaho. 

A memorial service will be held at the Hersey United Methodist Church on Friday, July 4th at 2:00 PM with a potluck to follow at his home on the Muskegon River.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ken’s name to the Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer Center in Reed City or Hospice of Michigan or to the Hersey United Methodist Church--Building Fund. Cards and letters can be sent to the family at General Delivery, Hersey MI 49639 or Barbara Larie c\o Hersey UMC, PO Box 85, Hersey, MI 49639.

Honoring his wishes, cremation will take place. arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids.