Dorr native Corwin Jay Bredeweg, age 84, died March 25.
He was born on Dec. 9, 1937, in Dorr. He graduated from Hope College and then attended University of Kansas, where he earned his PhD in both chemistry and mathematics. While at KU, he met and fell in love with his wife, Carolyn Kay (Henderson) Bredeweg. They married and moved to Midland in August 1963, where he started his lifelong career as a research chemist at the Dow Chemical Co. He retired from Dow in 1994.
Corwin and Kay have two daughters, Charlotte A. (Rick A.) Cassiday of ClarkstoI and Nancy L. (James E.) Baker of Wyoming, MI.
Corwin served quietly, doing kind deeds, both big and small, for family, friends and strangers. Corwin was actively involved in his church, Habitat For Humanity, played City League volleyball, loved gardening, photography and traveling in their RV wherever they could possibly take it.
Corwin is survived by his wife, two daughters, brothers Roger L. (RuthAnn Henderson) Bredeweg of Stevensville, MI and Wayne A. (Mary Geurink) Bredeweg of Hudsonville, MI; brother-in-law Larry G. Nitz of Hudsonville, MI; sister-in-law Gloria M. (J. Randall) Troxell of Tulsa, OK; four grandchildren, Emily L. (Andrew R.) Vavere of Caledonia, MI; Matthew R. (Nicole Stanley) Cassiday of Oxford, MI; Lauren N. (Aaron M.) Cummings of Sebewaing, MI; Andrew J. (Katelyn Dykema) Baker of Wyoming, MI; great grandchild Reid A. Vavere of Caledonia, MI; and many other nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Francena (Patmos) Bredeweg; his sister Leona G. (Earl J.) VanKoevering; and sister Betty J. Nitz.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 31, at Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, Midland, from 4 to 7 pm and from 10 to 11 am Friday, April 1, at Midland Reformed Church. A celebration of Corwin’s life will be held at the church Friday, starting at 11 a.m., officiated by Rev. Mike Bredeweg, with a luncheon immediately following. Livestream viewing is available at www.midlandreformed.org.
An interment service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at Forest Grove Cemetery in Hudsonville. A light lunch will be provided at Forest Grove Reformed Church, also in Hudsonville
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Young Life, 2292 W. Rockey Weed Road, Stevensville, MI, 49127.
