Walter Russell Eavey, age 87, of Middleville, passed away at his home on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. Walt was born on January 9, 1933 in Grand Rapids to Russell and Stella (Kelpsas) Eavey. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Walt married the love of his life, Margaret “Mike” Elwood, on June 27, 1954. He worked at Geukes Meats before becoming a tool and die maker until his retirement. Walt was a Thornapple Township Trustee and served in that role for over 20 years. He had a long list of volunteering for the township and Middleville, including the Barry County Red Cross where he was named Barry County Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year, Veteran of the Year in 2015, Thornapple Township Emergency Services firefighter (when it was the Middleville Fire Department), and Charlton Park volunteer. He was a founding member of the Middleville Lions club, founding member of Thornapple Area Parks and Recreation, and on the Barry County Parks & Recreation Board. Walt was involved in the Barry County Fair with the Barry County Antique Tractor Club, and was honored to be awarded the recipient of Middleville’s Hometown Hero, and Distinguished Alumni award. Faith was important to Walt; he was a member of the Middleville United Methodist Church and was involved with the United Methodist Men group. He also rooted for his favorite baseball team the Detroit Tigers. For eight years, Walt and his wife were volunteer lighthouse keepers at Michigan lighthouses, including their favorite, Big Sable in Ludington. They also worked for the National Parks Service at the Casa Grande Ruins Monument in Coolidge, Arizona for several years. Above all, Walt was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his loving family. Walt is survived by his wife, Mike; children: Connie (Rick) Hicks, Alan (Val) Eavey, Timothy Eavey, Sherri (Tim) Hall; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; brother, Richard (Joanne) Eavey. Friends and relatives met with the family on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home in Middleville. A graveside service with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 45 was held Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 at Mt. Hope Cemetery with Pastor Tony Shumaker officiating. Memorial contributions to the Caledonia American Legion Post 305 will be appreciated. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Walt’s family.Walter Russell Eavey, age 87, of Middleville, passed away at his home on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. Walt was born on January 9, 1933 in Grand Rapids to Russell and Stella (Kelpsas) Eavey. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Walt married the love of his life, Margaret “Mike” Elwood, on June 27, 1954. He worked at Geukes Meats before becoming a tool and die maker until his retirement. Walt was a Thornapple Township Trustee and served in that role for over 20 years. He had a long list of volunteering for the township and Middleville, including the Barry County Red Cross where he was named Barry County Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year, Veteran of the Year in 2015, Thornapple Township Emergency Services firefighter (when it was the Middleville Fire Department), and Charlton Park volunteer. He was a founding member of the Middleville Lions club, founding member of Thornapple Area Parks and Recreation, and on the Barry County Parks & Recreation Board. Walt was involved in the Barry County Fair with the Barry County Antique Tractor Club, and was honored to be awarded the recipient of Middleville’s Hometown Hero, and Distinguished Alumni award. Faith was important to Walt; he was a member of the Middleville United Methodist Church and was involved with the United Methodist Men group. He also rooted for his favorite baseball team the Detroit Tigers. For eight years, Walt and his wife were volunteer lighthouse keepers at Michigan lighthouses, including their favorite, Big Sable in Ludington. They also worked for the National Parks Service at the Casa Grande Ruins Monument in Coolidge, Arizona for several years. Above all, Walt was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his loving family. Walt is survived by his wife, Mike; children: Connie (Rick) Hicks, Alan (Val) Eavey, Timothy Eavey, Sherri (Tim) Hall; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; brother, Richard (Joanne) Eavey. Friends and relatives met with the family on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home in Middleville. A graveside service with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 45 was held Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 at Mt. Hope Cemetery with Pastor Tony Shumaker officiating. Memorial contributions to the Caledonia American Legion Post 305 will be appreciated. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Walt’s family.