Richard J. Pendrick

Richard J. Pendrick age 88, of Greenville passed away Sunday, April 2 in Grand Rapids, MI.  Richard was born on October 6, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan the first born child of Joseph and Marie Pendrick.  Richard and his family moved to Greenville in 1949.  He graduated from Greenville High School with the class of 1952.  He went to Central Michigan University for one year and then went into the Army for two years.  While in the service he received a note from his aunt who sent him a picture and an address of a gal named, Elaine from Detroit.  They were pen pals for quite a while.  Several months after his discharge from the service he had gotten to know Elaine.  The were married on June 9, 1956.  They had three children:  Elizabeth, Paul and Valerie.  After his discharge from the army, he joined his dad at Mid West Extrusion Tool and Die Company where he learned the extrusion die business.  In his young years he was an avid bowler, hunter and fisherman.  He served as chairman on the Eureka Township planning commission and later on in other capacities for the township.  There came a time when golf was his passion.  In all those wonderful years at Greenville Country Club he did have a hole in one.  They have been members of First United Methodist Church since 1968.  When it came time for his dad to retire, he went to work at Extruded Metals in Belding for many years.  He started out as foreman of the die shop.  He worked his way up to Plant Manager in charge of production.  Eventually he decided he would like to sell the products; so he became one of the Sales Engineers there.  When he left Extruded Metals he worked for Purposed Extruded Aluminum in Schofield, Wisconsin.  He worked there around 15 years.  Because of his die making experience and production of the products experience, he was an expert in selling aluminum products.  Over the years they traveled a lot out west.  When their oldest daughter got married on top of Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, they climbed that mountain.  In their retirement, they traveled a lot out west as their oldest daughter and family lived in Utah; and their son lives in California.  Richard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elaine and all of their children and their son in laws, Tony and Greg.  They have five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  There will be a private, family only, celebration of life.  However, they will be setting up a scholarship fund through the Greenville Area Community Foundation for students studying tool and die and/or business at 225 N. Lafayette St., Greenville, MI  48838.   Arrangements are being handled by the Marshall Funeral Home in Greenville. Memories and messages may be shared at  www.marshallfuneralhomeinc.com, where you can view the obituary and leave a message of condolence for the family.