Calvin "Cal" Greiner, 76, of Rapid City, died Thu, Aug 28, 2003.
Cal was born Sep 1, 1926, in Plainwell, the son of Albert and Mary (VanHouck) Greiner. He married Joan (Ereon) on Oct 25, 1947 in Ludington.
Calvin was a loving husband and father, who was an avid tennis player at The Tip of Texas retirement community. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and loved exploring the US, Canada, Alaska, and Caribbean with his wife and children.
Calvin owned and operated Cal's Service, served in the US Army in WWII, and was a lifetime member of the Elk Rapids Fire Department for 35 years, including 10 years as chief of the department, and also was a mentor to many young firefighters.
Calvin was a past member of the Knights of Columbus.
Calvin is survived by his wife, Joan, of Rapid City; seven children, Mike (Anita) of Traverse City, Rhonda Greiner of Elk Rapids, Katie Greiner of Kalkaska, Mark (Joanne) of Elk Rapids, Patricia Greiner-Ash of Torch River, Susan Greiner of St Croix, Virgin Islands, and Calvin II (Tandra) of Traverse City; 13 grandchildren, Jayna (Steve), Karisa, Tari, Ryan, Albert, Travis, Anna, Michael, John, James, Michelle, Jamie, and Gina; six great grandsons, Blake, Dillon, Ryan, Skyler, Jonathan, and Alexandor; many special aunts and uncles, cousins, nephews, sister in laws, and brother in laws.
Calvin was preceded in death by two children, Charles and Mary; his parents; and his sister, Kathleen Lynn.
Also a special thank you to Cal's hospice nurse Sarah Gauthier.
A Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals was celebrated Sat, Aug 30 at 10 am from Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with the Rev. Robert J Zuchowski as celebrant.
Visitation was to be held one hour prior to service at church.
An Elk Rapids Amvets memorial service immediately followed the mass. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery with a private service.
Memorials may be made to the Elk Rapids Fire Department or to local hospice caregivers through the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
