Earl Richard "Dick" Bigelow

1935 - 2024

Earl (Dick) Richard Bigelow, 88 years old, of Greenville Michigan passed away on March 15, 2024 at Butterworth Hospital's ICU.
Dick was born on May 18, 1935 to Earl E. and Bertha Bigelow in Trout Lake Township, Michigan. The family moved to Stanton, Michigan when he was 7 years old. Dick graduated from Stanton High School in 1953. He joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska. He worked for Federal Mogul Corporation for 20 years as a Machine Operator and 20 years as a Supervisor.
Dick met the love of his life, Beverly (Bev) Ann Jensen in March 1959 and knew right away she was the one. They were married on May 1, 1959 in Stanton, Michigan. They have an amazing love story of getting married only 6 weeks after they met. Dick and Bev Bigelow then bought a house in Greenville, had 3 children, and lived a life of love together for 65 years. They held hands from the start to their last day together.
Dick loved his family more than anything. He always said that he married the love of his life and she was the best wife, mother and grandmother. He loved each and everyone of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He often talked about how proud he was of what good people all his family turned out to be. Spending time with his family was his favorite thing to do, but he was a man of many hobbies.
Dick and Bev loved to travel, they visited all 50 states together. They enjoyed wintering at Palmdale RV Resort in Texas for many years.
Dick was an amazing athlete. He was a 4 sport athlete at Stanton High School. In 1953 he was MCAA All Conference in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track. He was State Champion in the 110 and 220 yard dash and set the State Record in the 220 yard dash. He played football and baseball for the US Army when he was stationed in Ft Richardson, Alaska. He coached track at Central Montcalm High School and Greenville High School. In 1996 when coaching the Central Montcalm Boys' and Girls' Track Team, he was named the Daily News All Area Track Coach of the Year. He was inducted into Central Montcalm's Athletic Hall of Fame on January 26, 2019.
Dick was an amazing person. He was a man of high morals, believed in God, had a great work ethic, was kind, strong, stubborn, competitive and funny. He loved to make people laugh. He is listed as class clown in his senior yearbook. He carried all those qualities out to the very end. He will be dearly missed.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Beverly Bigelow. Children: Craig (Deb) Bigelow, Kelly (Dave) Bailey, and Jill (Brian) Tobey. Grandchildren: Ryan (Libby) Bigelow, Casey (Chad) Brough, Tyler (Jamie) Bigelow, Erica Bigelow, Hunter (Kae-Leigh) Tobey, and Tessa Tobey. Great-Grandchildren: Carter and Chyler Brough. Beloved dog Scooter and cat Callie. Sister-in-law Flora Bigelow, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends that he held dear to his heart.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Earl and Bertha Bigelow, Siblings: Gert and Glen Kraii, Paul Bigelow, and Judy Reinhardt. Mother and Father In-law: Elwyn and Letha Jensen, Brother and Sister In-laws: Robert and Carol Jensen and Lane Jensen.
Memorial Service will be held in Dick's Honor at Marshall Funeral Home, 420 West Grove St. Greenville on Wednesday, March 20th. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. Service at 4:00. In honor of Dick any Memorial Contributions please be sent to Montcalm County Animal Shelter.
Arrangements are by the Marshall Funeral Home, Greenville, with complete obituary online at www.marshallfuneralhomeinc.com where you can leave a message of condolence for the family.