Memorials and Tributes
Supporting Your CommunityMemorials
Giving a gift to the Community Foundation in memory of a loved one is a way to support your community and pay respect to the life of a special person. This list is updated quarterly and reflects gifts made in the past twelve months.
Last updated September 28, 2021
Kenneth Achterhof
MaryKay Alguire
Gary Baas
Wilma Barnosky
Gary Bisacky
Susan Bissell
Jake Bouman
Richard Briegel
Janet Briegel
John Carlyle
Lisa Casler
Leslie Cassis-Withun
Staci Cheadle
Daniel Cherette
Barbara Connolly
Fred Cooper
Lois Coston
Mary Creason
Kenneth DeWitt
Gordon Duram
Kevin Ernst
Steven Gardner
Gretchen Garrison
Linda Hall
Jim Hardy
Albert and Doris Knuth
Peggy Leach
Joseph Legatz
Nancy Lilley
Beaulah Mann
Mary Lou Matzen
Kathryn Moessner
Nancy Moss
Marlene Palmisano
William Reinecke
Jill Roberts
Margery Schnell
Tom Smith
Mary Teitsma
Kirsten Terborg
Robert Thomas
Seymour Van Weelden
Fred VanBemmelen
Fredric vandenBerg
John VanEenenaam
Vicki Verplank
Gary Verplank
Ray Winterhalter
Tributes
Giving a gift to the Community Foundation as a tribute to a special person in a generous and thoughtful gift. This list is updated quarterly and reflects gifts made in the past twelve months.
Last updated September 28, 2021
Tamara Bailey
Phyla Bramer
John Bryson
Harold Gazan
Valerie Guttowsky
Robert & Jack Hipwell
Lynne Kinkema
Merritt May Lee
Linda Lukasik
Cheryle McMahon
Nelson and the Gnomes
Luke and Hannah Olechnowicz
Erickson Ruby Rasmussen Family
James Solon
Donor Impact Stories
An Act of Love: Making a Memorial Gift to the Community Foundation
Our Community Foundation strives to enhance the quality of life for all by working together to collectively address challenges and opportunities throughout West Michigan. This caring impact draws community members to make a variety of contributions, including gifts in memory of loved ones.
Why I Give: The Reinecke Family
The Reinecke family has made a tradition of giving back. “Our grandmother, Frances Reinecke, gave back to the community in countless ways, but there was always one consistent theme,” said Jason Reinecke. “Frances had an enormous heart for children and families that were disadvantaged. Her compassion for others has instilled a sense of pride within our family but also the motivation to follow in her footsteps.”
Why We Give: Joyce & Andy Cawthon
Andy and Joyce Cawthon chose to open a named greatest needs fund because “there is great value in pooling resources with other people of a similar mind,” said Andy. “My individual giving might not have an impact on a pressing community need, and if I’m picking the beneficiary, how do I know if I’m picking the best thing? We trust the foundation to make that decision for us.” By making an unrestricted contribution to the foundation, the Cawthons can rest assured that today, tomorrow, and forever those resources will be invested wisely and with a focus on impact.