Vern Woodrow Bridgeman

10/11/1918

03/12/2016

FACTS

Born: September 11, 1918
Death: March 12, 2016

Vernon Woodrow Bridgeman, aged 97 Grand Rapids, passed away in the arms of Vera his beloved wife of 71 years on Saturday afternoon, March 12, 2016. Vern met Vera at a roller skating rink in Lubbock, Texas, where he was stationed as a pilot officer in the Air Force. Upon his retirement from the military with rank of Major, they moved to Ada, MI where Vern worked as a surveyor for Williams and Works.  For many years they made a life full of family memories at their home on the Thornapple River. Vern was an avid sportsman with wide interests.  He loved to hunt, fish, snow and water ski, ice skate and in later years play chess and trivia.  He was a long time member of a square dance club, The Cascapers where he met many lifelong friends. Born in Grand Tower, Illinois, Vern was the last of 11 children. He is survived by his wife Vera, his two daughters who were adopted while the couple were stationed in Japan; Aimee Parker (David) and Jan Bridgeman (Peter Thomson), sisters-in-law Etta Fase (Grover), Rose Mulder (Louis) and Diane Pratt (Timothy) and many great grand nieces, nieces and nephews.  A military honor service will be held under the auspices of Kent County Honor Guard Saturday, March 26 10:30 a.m. at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. S.E., Grand Rapids, with a graveside service immediately following at Ada Township Cemetery. The family will meet with friends and relatives at a Memorial Open House 12-2:00 pm at Frederick Meijer Gardens, Garden View Room, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health Foundation Hospice, 100 Michigan St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or Frederik Meijer Gardens, Tribute Program, 1000 East Beltline Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49525.

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