Larry L. Olmstead

1929 - 2013

OLMSTEAD, Mr. Larry L.
Jenison, MI (formerly of Pentwater, MI)

Mr. Larry L. Olmstead, age 83, of Jenison, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2013.

He was born in Coldwater, Michigan on October 19, 1929, to L.D. and Louise (Hess) Olmstead. Larry graduated from the Coldwater High School and completed a two year agricultural program from Michigan State College. He married the former Nadine Kinter in Coldwater on October 21, 1950.

Shortly thereafter, he joined the US Army and was a paratrooper serving with the 11th Airborne from 1950-1952. While serving in the US Army, he was also a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps. Larry and his brother Royce also operated the Olmstead Family Dairy in Coldwater.

On July 29, 1957, Larry enlisted with the Michigan State Police, serving as a trooper at various posts throughout the state during a 27 year career, and finally retired on January 14, 1984, as a Captain and Inspector.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hart, where he was a deacon and Sunday School teacher and volunteered many hours of labor helping construct the church and school addition. He was also a member of the Michigan State Police Command Officers Association.

Larry enjoyed carpentry and remodeled all of his children's homes. Larry was a former school board member with the Hart Public Schools; he loved and enjoyed his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Olmstead is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nadine Olmstead of Jenison; a son, Randal L. (Debra) Olmstead of Atlanta, GA; three daughters, Robyn S. (Patrick) Scott of Eden Prairie, MN, Jody L. Olmstead (John Ritzema) of Alto, and Kelli A. (Greg) DeMull of Jenison; eight grandchildren, John Olmstead, Sarah Olmstead, Rachael Higgins, Tyler Scott, Caitlin Scott, Mackenzie Scott, Brody DeMull, and Gabrielle DeMull; two sisters, Karna Smith of Westland, and Gail (Bill) Donovan of Wallingford, CT; four sisters-in-law, Tommy Olmstead of Coldwater, Lurlene Hubbard of Mattawan, MI, Nataline (Glen) Miller of Jerome, MI, and Mary Kinter of Tampa, FL; and one brother-in-law, Charles Kinter of Bronson, MI.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Royce Olmstead; and two brothers-in-law, John Smith and Larry Kinter.

The Service of Praise and Thanksgiving for the Gift of Eternal Life through Jesus Christ for Mr. Olmstead will be held at the First Baptist Church of Hart on Monday, August 26, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Elvin Harden officiating. Interment will be in the Pentwater Township Cemetery with an Honor Guard by the Michigan State Police. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at the King Funeral Home and Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be given to the Oceana County Gideons, P.O. Box 230, Hart, MI 49420; National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, 1169 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108; or the American Heart Association, 40 Oak Hollow St., Suite 220, Southfield, MI 48033. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.kingfuneralhome.net

King Funeral Home, Hart, MI