Don Rink

Don Hilbert Rink, age 80, of Rockford, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 8, 2019. The son of William & Dorothy (Schermer) Rink, he was born on March 25, 1939, in Grand Rapids. Don graduated from Lowell High School with the Class of 1957, and played professional baseball for the Detroit Tigers in 1960 before injuring his arm. On February 17, 1962, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, he married Kay Kessler. He was a builder of quality homes in the Grand Rapids area for over 50 years. He loved sports, fishing, hunting, and of course the Detroit Tigers. Don was a long-time active member of Bostwick Lake Congregational Church in Rockford where he served on the business team. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Kay; children, Deborah (Michelle Ritzema) Rink; William "Mike" (Deb) Rink; and Amy (Rom) Elwell; grandchildren, Katherine, William "James", and Emma Elwell; sister-in-law, Joyce Rink; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Willard; and sister, Isla (James) Cook. Visitation is from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2019 at the Bostwick Lake Congregational Church, 7979 Belding Rd. N.E., Rockford, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Pastor Tom Lawton will offiicate and burial will take place at at Cannonsburg Cemetery in Cannon Township. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staffs at Airway Oxygen, Inc. and Hospice of Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan. Envelopes will be available at the church. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Don Rink, please visit our flower store.