RIchard Charles Grinnell

     Richard "Dick" Charles Grinnell, age 90, of Bannister, MI, passed away Friday, April 11, 2025, at his daughters’ home.
     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home and again on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service.
     Dick was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 14, 1934, the son of Hurley and Alice (Cotton) Grinnell. He attended Ovid High School.  Dick married Hazel Ackels on June 8, 1968. Hazel passed away on August 7, 2015, after 47 years of marriage.
      Dick was an usher at the University of Michigan for football games for 20 years. He loved tailgating for the games with family and friends. Dick was a metal finisher for many years and also hauled milk for local farmers. Dick and Hazel spent many years bartending and catering many events. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Johns-Ovid Masonic Lodge #105. Dick was always active and busy doing something. "He never let any grass grow under his feet".
     He is survived by daughter Paulett and Ron VanLake of Bannister, MI; and Denise Frye of Ovid, MI; two stepsons: Walter and Maureen Ackels of St. Louis, Missouri; and Paul Ackels; 19 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, wife Hazel, sons: John Grinnell and Paul Grinnell, daughter Penny Grinnell, step-daughter Philis Bukovcik, step-son Patrick Ackels, and a brother Kurt Grinnell.
     Memorials may be made to the St. Johns-Ovid Masonic Lodge #105. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.