Richard K. Hurdelbrink, age 88, of Plainwell (Gun Lake), died on Sept. 22.
Richard was born Nov. 23,1936, in Plainwell, to Nelden and Eva (Temple) Hurdelbrink.
He was a 1955 graduate of Delton Kellogg High School. On April 28, 1956, he married Louise M. Stickel, and lived in the Gun Lake/Orangeville area for the past 69 years. Richard and Louise traveled throughout the years, and at one point lived part-time in Pine Island, Fla.
Richard was employed with DeNooyer Chevrolet, and then retired after many years as vice president of sales and service at Checker Motors Corporation, both in Kalamazoo.
Richard was a car enthusiast and began racing in the early ‘60s starting with micro midgets, then building his own stock cars racing his yellow #85 for several years at various speedways, including Kalamazoo Speedway (BK), Berlin Raceway, Grand Rapids Speedrome, and Hastings Motor Speedway, among others.
Richard enjoyed his garden and crafting wood items. He was always busy doing something, whether it be in his yard, tinkering in the garage, or adding and organizing his coin collection. He then liked to relax at the end of the day with his dog, Tippy, and watch an old movie.
Richard is survived by his three children, Sherry (Doug) DePoy of South Bend, Ind., Lorie (Alan) Marcott of Wayland, Michigan, and Rick (Tracey) Hurdelbrink of Kalamazoo,nine grandchildren, Steven (Jennifer) DePoy, Michael (Maggie) DePoy, Jackie (Gordie Bush) Martin, Quinten Marcott, Colin Marcott, Jessica (Jacob) Lewis, Jennifer (Tim) Lieber, Abbie (Brad) Lietzke, and Whitney Reed; nine great grandchildren; and a special niece, Debra Vallier and nephew, Louis (Debra) Vallier. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, and his parents.
A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 23, at the Orangeville Township Hall.
