Junior Avery

Mr. Junior LeRoy Avery, age 81, of Spencer Township, passed away Thursday morning, July 8, 2010 at his home under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Health Hospice. The son of George E. & Anna G. (Wolbers) Avery, he was born on March 25, 1929 in Spencer Township. A veteran of World War II, Junior proudly served with the U.S. Navy and was employed at R.J. Tower Automotive for 25 years. On August 15, 1981, in Kent City, he married the former Myrna McAllister-Salyer. He enjoyed camping, gardening, and hunting, but spending time with his family was his greatest delight. Junior always made family and friends the center of his attention and had a friendly smile for everyone he met. For nearly 25 years he was a member of the Family Life Center Church of God in Belding, where he was an ordained minister serving God and the church in various capacities. He was preceded in death by his parents, George & Anna Avery; a son, Lenny Avery Sr.; a grandson, Derick Hershberger; a great-grandson, Damien Joles; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Harry & Betty Avery, Jess Avery, and John Avery; and a sister and a brother-in-law, Dorothy & Jim Siegel. Surviving are his wife of almost 29 years, Myrna Avery; his children, Liz Avery and Darleen Pease of Maine, Melody and Amy Avery of Sidney, Kathy Farrell of Lake Stanton, Robin & Terry Kelsey of Cedar Springs, Debbie & Tim Thatcher of Belding, Carla & Bill Sharky of Canadian Lakes, Rose & Bob Romine of Lakeview, Rocky & Linda Salyer of Cedar Springs, Dawn & Nate Cooper of Cedar Springs; two sisters-in-law, Jo Avery of Cedar Springs, and Eleanor Avery-Barager of Rockford; his pastor, Rev. William and Sister Sharyn Overton and their family; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and a host of adopted grandchildren and great grandchildren and special friends. Visitation is Saturday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Christiansen Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where funeral services will be held on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Pastor Bill Overton will officiate and burial, with military honors rendered by the U.S. Navy, will follow at Greene Cemetery near Orleans. Instead of flowers, Junior would have appreciated memorial contributions to the Family Life Center Church of God. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Junior Avery, please visit our flower store.