Alfred J. DeRuiter

Alfred Jay DeRuiter, age 79, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2017 after a well fought battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born December 9, 1937, the son of John and Helena (Diemer) DeRuiter of Falmouth, in Cadillac Michigan, Wexford County. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Al has been a resident of Marcellus since coming to Marcellus in 1959.
He married Joyce Abbott on November 12, 1960 in the E.U.B. Church in Marcellus.
Al is survived by his wife of 56 years; one daughter, Lori DeRuiter Bauer (David Bauer) of Lewisville, Texas; one son, David Alan DeRuiter (Brandi Aronson DeRuiter) of Panama City Beach, Florida; grandson, Pearson Silver David DeRuiter and one step-granddaughter, Kira Layne Love, both of Panama City Beach.
Three Sisters, Karen (Harold) Cnossen; Kathy (Paul) Spoelma of McBain; Karla (Paul) DeYoung of Traverse City; one brother, Darrell (Marilyn) DeRuiter of White Cloud. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and cherished friends, too many to mention.
Al moved to Marcellus in the fall of 1959 and was employed at Farm Bureau Services as a Bookkeeper and Assistant Manager Positions. Upon the departure of the manager, Al took over as the manager. In the mid 1960’s, Al was promoted to a managerial trainer/trouble shooter position for Farm Bureau based in Lansing, helping other feed mills become successful.
He continued to be employed by Farm Bureau Services until 1980, when he was hired to manage Community Mills in Cassopolis by the Donald McKenzie Family. Al worked for them until retirement. He came out of retirement 4 times helping out in the management area when needed. He finally decided it was really time to retire.

Al had a great love for Marcellus and its people. He would help out in any way he could. He was involved in helping the Marcellus Fire Department whenever needed.
If Al could leave any advice to his family and friends, he would say, “Always take the time and just sit down and watch the world go by for a while.”
Service will be held Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the Mater Ralston Funeral Home, 52780 M-40 North, Marcellus, MI 49067 with Rev. Alan Jorgensen, Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until time of the service.
In lieu of gifts and flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the Marcellus Ambulance Service, or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.
According to Al’s wishes, cremation has taken place.