Kenneth Block

On October 22, 2024, one of God’s best, Kenneth Block [1940-2024], went to His eternal rest to join his wife and the absolute love of his life for 62 years, Beverly (Slauson) Block, parents Clem and Lois Katherine (Geib) Block and stepmother Ruth (Holmes) Block from Grand Rapids, Michigan, brother David Block, and many other loved ones.  He is survived by his brother Warren (“Rick”) Block and family, and Ken and Bev’s four children and their families: Sheri Cummings (Gregg, children Jake [Katie] Gartner [great grandson Samuel] and Lydia Gartner); Randy Block (Lori Ann, son Quinton); Laura Fisher (Joe, daughters Madison and Sydney); and Karla Block, as well as other cherished extended family.

Ken was born and raised in Grand Rapids. After graduating from South High School, he attended Wittenberg University in Ohio, where he earned a degree in Political Science, lettered four years with the swim team, belonged to the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and met Bev on a blind date. They were married in Madison, Wisconsin, started a family while Ken was finishing his law degree at Wayne State University, and raised their four children in Grand Rapids, where Ken was actively engaged in serving his community.

Ken enjoyed working as an attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals, for Cholette, Perkins and Buchanan in Grand Rapids, and later as a Worker’s Compensation Magistrate for the State of Michigan until retiring in 2005.

Music was a passion throughout Ken’s life. In addition to being an accomplished whistler, his love for singing kept him involved as a tenor for over 50 years with the Schubert Male Chorus (the longest running male choral group in the US!), and he lifted his voice to God in the Trinity Lutheran Church choirs for almost 80 years, where he was a faithful servant in many capacities. Ken was also a member of and leader within many different organizations, including Baxter Community Center, March of Dimes, Michigan Bar Association and Clark Retirement Community at Keller Lake. He loved playing cards and adventuring all over the country while often taking “the scenic route” with Bev, family and friends in the BMC RV (“Block’s Mobile Cottage”). He also had a famous, life-long love affair with ice cream, key lime pie and all things peanut butter!

Ken was always cheerful and quick with a corny joke. He was kind, loving, generous, and considerate to a fault; a loyal friend to all; a devoted husband, father, grandfather and amazing role model to his family. To him, every stranger was simply a new friend he hadn’t met yet.

The family wants to extend their deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the compassionate caregivers at Clark Retirement Community and all of Ken’s amazing neighbors, friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Trinity Lutheran Church, the Clark Foundation, the ALS Association, or a charity of your choice.  A Celebration of the Joy of Ken’s life will be held on November 16, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 E. Fulton, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with visitation from 2:30 to 4 pm, a service at 4 pm and a reception with refreshments thereafter. As Ken would say, “Shalom”!

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