Chapter 3 Page 13
Almost ten months to the day, Clarence Bessey passed away at his home on Baumhoff in Alpine Township. He was just 66 years old. Shortly thereafter the house was sold and Ethel moved back to northwest Grand Rapids with her three children, Dorothy age 18, Jim age 14, and Meredith age 9. If they had not moved back to Grand Rapids, my mom probably would not have met my dad, and I would not be here today. My understanding is they met through Erwin’s sister Lois around 1947. They married in May of 1950 and had four children.
Jim and Meredith would graduate from Union High School and meet their spouses. Jim had six children and Meredith had four.
Murell had three children. Sadly the oldest son, Steven, was killed by a drunk driver in 1951 at the age of 7. Murell’s second son was named Thomas Alva, the middle name given in remembrance of his brother who had died just two years earlier.
Murell’s twin sister Pearl had two sons. The oldest was named Clarence after her dad and the youngest was named Alva after her brother.
Clarence lost his older brother Alva and his son Alva, both in their 20s. He never got to meet his grandsons who were given the namesake Alva.
Ancestors Across the Ages 