Benjamin J. Harmsen, age 85 of White Cloud, formerly of Grand Rapids, passed away Thursday, May 20, 2009 at his home in White Cloud. Ben was born on August 12, 1923 in Lamont, MI to Henry and Gertrude (Bouwkamp) Harmsen. Ben grew up in Lamont, graduated from Coopersville High School and attended the University of Chicago before he joined the U.S. Navy at Great Lakes Naval Academy. Ben moved back to Grand Rapids after his discharge and had been the assistant plant manager at Doehlar Jarvis, Division of NL Industries. He later founded and was president of Centrum Industries until his retirement. He also founded the Gen Med Corp. Ben met and later married Geraldine "Gerre" Pettengill on October 29, 1966 in Grand Rapids and together they moved to the backwaters of the Hardy Dam in 1996. Ben enjoyed fishing and living on Hardy pond, had been active in various sports programs in Grand Rapids, and always kept up with the current events in the world. Surviving are his wife, Gerre of White Cloud; his sons, David (Darcy) Harmsen of Charlevoix, Mark (Pat) Harmsen of Jenison, Paul (Lynne) Harmsen of Lakeport, MI, Gary (Tammy) Harmsen of Wyoming, MI; 23 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren; sisters, Florence (Don) Oudbier of Wyoming; Lois Pritchard of Grand Rapids; Harriet Lape of Monroe; Shirley Muilenburg of Gun Lake; his brother, Jack (Nancy) Harmsen of Hudsonville; sister-in-law, Lois Harmsen of White Cloud; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ken Harmsen on May 27, 2007. Visitation Tuesday, May 26, 2009 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, May 27, 2009 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Crandell Funeral Home. Funeral services Wednesday at the Crandell Funeral Home. Interment Chapel Hill Cemetery in Grand Rapids. Memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society , West Michigan Chapter or Heartland Hospice.

Lot Location – Last Supper 89-B-1