Steven H. Schwartz

Steven Herbert Schwartz, age 78, of East Grand Rapids, MI died on June 28 surrounded in love by his family. Determined to beat the odds, he fought a brave twelve-month battle against colorectal and neuroendocrine cancer. 

Steve was born in Grand Rapids, MI on June 27, 1943 the son of Joseph and Jessica Schwartz. He grew up in the Ottawa Hills neighborhood and graduated from Ottawa Hills High School. Steve lived the majority of his adult life in East Grand Rapids where he lived with his family. He began his career at Amway Corporation where he took early retirement after 29 years. He then spent two years as an independent marketing consultant before joining the team at Mill Steel, where he worked for an additional twenty years until this past April when his illness prohibited him from working.

Steve cherished his free time and enjoyed his daily workouts at MVP, walking around Reeds Lake, tending to the yard, tinkering with electronics and maintaining his home. His winter and spring vacations were spent on his beloved Sanibel and Captiva Islands where he walked the endless miles of beach and enjoyed afternoons reading his books and relaxing on the lanais.    

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 55 years, Mary. Also surviving are his son, Brian (Elizabeth Welch) Schwartz and daughter, Carey Potter, both of East Grand Rapids; three grandsons including 1st Lt. Jeremy Schwartz (USAF), Dylan Schwartz and Jacob Potter; two step grandchildren James and Katherine Lykins; three sisters Susan (Alan) Waples of Burlington, IA, Linda (Michael) Jaracz and Janice (Lindsay) Fonger of Grand Rapids; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Jessica Schwartz and his daughter-in-law Beth Green Schwartz. 

Funeral services will be held at Temple Emanuel on Friday, July 2 at 10:00 am followed by burial at Oak Hill Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Emanuel, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital or Spectrum Hospice.

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