Fredrick S. Gleason Obituary (1943 - 2017)

Fredrick "Fred" Selah Gleason passed away at home surrounded by his loving family, in Rockford, on Nov. 23, 2017, after a hard fought, short battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Fred was born on January 19, 1943, in Grand Rapids, son of the late Darrell and Edna (Walter) Gleason. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sandra (Tyner) Gleason; son, Mark Gleason; daughter, Tami (Chris) Van Stee; siblings, Charles (Marilyn) Gleason, of Largo, FL, and Marie (Mike) Whitcomb, of Lake Placid, FL; brother-in-law, Robert (Susan) Tyner, of Hastings; grandchildren, Daniel Gleason, Samantha (Adam) Nowakowski, Jessica Gleason, Jayden, Schuyler and Cassandra Van Stee; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins and his favorite fishing buddy, Tom Palmer. Fred proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964. In 2001, after 18 years, he retired from Steelcase. He then worked various part-time trucking jobs, most recently with U-Haul in Wyoming, where he was employed for five years as a Transfer Driver. In his free time, Fred enjoyed hunting and fishing, primarily in his bass boat for bluegills and pike. The family would especially like to thank Great Lakes Caring Hospice, and his special nurse Rachel Francis, for their wonderful, compassionate care of Fred in his final days. Per his wishes, Fred has been cremated. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, 3627 Linden Ave., S.E., Grand Rapids. A memorial service with full military honors will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest Ave S.W., Grandville, (Please use door E or H). A committal service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at Rockford Cemetery, S. Lincoln St. In honor of Fred, memorial contributions may be made to Van Andel Institute (for Pancreatic Cancer Research), 333 Bostwick Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, 49503, or to Joseph's Genetic Journey Barry Community Foundation, 231 S. Broadway, Hastings, 49058. Arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids. Exclusive provider of Veterans Funeral Care.