Mr. Richard H. Eppinga, 81, of Kentwood, returned to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father, on Friday evening, July 3, 2009 from the Meijer Heart Center at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Hospital.

The son of Henry & Katherine (Lubberts) Eppinga, he was born on Nov. 3, 1927 in Grand Rapids. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Richard retired from GMAC after 30 years of service.

In retirement he was an active volunteer with prison minisitries, Joni & Friends, as well as the Christian Reformed Worldwide Relief Committee (CRWRC).

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Lois Eppinga; two children, David (Amanda) Eppinga, and Sally (Kip) Higgins; two granddaughters, Lauren and Kelly Higgins; a brother, Joe (Norma) Eppinga; a sister, Margaret Clark; a brother-in-law, Russell Cote; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services are at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 from the chapel of Calvary Church, 707 East Beltline N. E. at I-96, Grand Rapids, where the family will receive relatives and friends from 10-11 a.m.  Private burial will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, Rich would have appreciated contributions in his memory to either Joni & Friends or CRWRC.