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DeVos funeral arrangements scheduled for Thursday

West Michigan billionaire businessman and philanthropist Richard DeVos died Thursday at the age of 92 and early Friday, Sept. 7 we learned his funeral arrangements.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Amway co-founder Richard DeVos will be remembered at Celebration of Life Services on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m.

That event is happening at LaGrave Church in Grand Rapids and this is a private, invitation-only event. It will be simulcast at DeVos Performance Hall from 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Richard DeVos and his wife Helen joined LaGrave Church back in 1961.

"Helen's dad was a very involved member of this congregation, was an elder," said Peter Jonker, a reverend at LaGrave.

Richard DeVos also became an elder and served on committees at the church.

"They were involved in every aspect of the church, their membership here was not some symbolic thing, they were part of our family," Jonker said.

DeVos remained dedicated until the end.

"It was not easy for him to get to church in his later days," Jonker said "He was in a wheelchair, so it took a little entourage of people just to get him here. But he was here every chance he could get."

His final service at the church had a meaningful message.

"His last service was Easter, so the very last time he was here, he was here when we were celebrating the resurrection of Christ and the hope that we have in the face of death," Jonker said.

That celebration begins at 2 p.m.

There will also be a public to visitation celebrate Rich DeVos' life. A public visitation will be on Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in the Ambassador Ballroom.

Monday, Sept. 10 there will be a private event at Amway Headquarters from noon to 12:45 p.m. to honor DeVos. Remarks will be given by:

  • Amway Chairman, Steve Van Andel
  • Amway Chief Sales Officer, John Parker
  • Amway Chief Human Resources Officer, Kelly Savage

There is also now a website devoted to Rich Devos' life. You can see it here.

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Matt Gard is the Senior Producer of 13 ON YOUR SIDE Mornings. If you have a story idea, you can contact him on Twitter, @mgard_wzzm13 or by e-mail, MattGard@wzzm13.com.

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