Olive Bissell

Olive Geraldine "Gerri" Bissell, 81, of Greenville, passed away early Sunday morning, Feb. 23, 2014, at her home under the loving care of her family. The daughter of Virgil & Mary (Reed) Powers, she was born on Aug. 24, 1932 in Greenville. On June 25, 1949, in Greenville, she married Clarence A. "Booner" Bissell, Jr. Together they built their home in Greenville and enjoyed 61 years of marriage, until Booner's death in 2010. Gerri retired from the former Gibson Refrigerator Company in 1989 after 36 years of service. In her retirement, Gerri spent her time walking, hunting mushrooms, gardening and going out to eat with her friends. Gerri loved to dine out. She was a loving mother and especially proud of each one of her grandchildren, who she loved dearly. Gerri also enjoyed travelling around the country with her sister-in-law and long-time friend, Alice Powers. Together, they visited Branson, Mo., many times and met Boxcar Willie, one of Gerri's favorite singers. She was a beloved member of Butternut Bible Church, and was baptized on her birthday, along with her husband, in 2008. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Booner; sister, Carrie Sage, brother, Marvin Powers; daughter, Linda Lee Allen-Doty; grandson, Johnnie Paul Allen, Sr.; daughter-in-law, Sandy Bissell; brothers-in-law, Fay Bissell and Harry Bissell; sisters-in-law, Alice Powers, Leona Bissell, Janice Bissell, and Josephine Henry. Gerri is survived by two sons, Randal Bissell, of Grand Rapids, and Daniel (Brenda) Bissell, of Greenville, and daughter, Judy Bissell, of Grand Rapids; two brothers, Emerald (Maude) Powers, of Greenville, and Virgil Vance Powers, Jr., of Cedar Springs; a son-in-law, David Allen, of Stanton; brother-in-law, Eugene (Char) Bissell, of Greenville; grandchildren, Lonnie Allen, of Big Rapids, David (Tara) Allen, of Belding, Eugene Bissell, of Greenville, Allen Bissell, of Grand Rapids, Robert Bissell, of Atlanta, Ga., Jacob Ross, of Ionia, Kevin Bissell, of Greenville, and Michelle Bissell-Peak, of Grand Rapids; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Gerri's life on Saturday, April 12, 2014 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Butternut Bible Church, 7351 S. Crystal Road, Carson City. Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place and interment will take place at Evergreen Township Cemetery near Sheridan. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Olive Bissell, please visit our flower store.