Janet Elinor Arens, age 85 of Hastings, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2021 at Thornapple Manor.

Janet was born on May 2, 1936 at her grandfather’s home in Middleville to Joseph and Florence (Baughman) Fiala. Janet graduated from Thornapple Kellogg schools and was very active in 4-H, band, and was a cheerleader. Janet met Henry J. Arens at Middleville Engineering and Manufacturing company where she worked in the office. They were scheduled to be married on November 15th but soon realized that the opening day of deer season would be interrupted, so instead wed on November 22, 1958. Together they started Arens’ Brothers excavating in 1960.

In her free time, Janet enjoyed vegetable (especially her sweet corn) and flower gardening, anything birds, traveling, going out to eat, and hosting many family dinners for the holidays. Education was important to Janet; she continued her education throughout her life by attending classes at the local community college and reading to young people at the library.

She was an active member at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, where she served in the women’s guild, Bingo, and many other church functions. Most important to Janet was her family, and she will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to so many.

She will be dearly missed by her children: Diane (Daniel) Arens-Miller, Henry Arens, Todd (Susan Coykendall) Arens, Sue Arens, Mark (Carrie) Arens; grandchildren: Joseph (Leslie) Arens, Alexis (Trenton) Courtney, Brianna Arens, Chelsea (Shawn) Hart, Whitney Craven, Jacob Arens, Taylor Arens, Ava Arens, Ellie Cousins, Annie Arens; great grandchildren: Trenton Jr., Haven, Paisley, Josephine, three on the way; bothers: Frank (Jerrie) Fiala, George (Judi) Fiala; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving friends. Janet is also preceded in death by her parents.

Janet’s family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 21, 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, 11:00 AM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A celebration of life will also be held in the spring of 2022.

Memorial contributions to Hastings Public Library or Green Gables Haven in Hastings will be appreciated. A special thanks to all those at Thornapple Manor for their loving care and support throughout the last four years.

Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Janet’s family.

Laurence Edwin Hull, of Hastings Township, Michigan, passed away on December 1, 2021, at the age of 92.

Laurence was born on July 30, 1929, the son of Elmer and Lucy (Fry) Hull. He attended school in Lowell and Hastings. On March 18, 1949, Laurence married Geraldine Britten.

Laurence worked at EW Bliss in Hastings from 1948-1971. He also worked at Grand Rapids Foundry, Johnson Iron, Hastings Area Schools, and K & E Tackle.

Laurence loved gardening, mowing, and loved his family. His grandchildren were very dear to his heart. He loved being a Journeyman Molder. He had a huge passion to be outside!

Laurence was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Lucy (Fry) Hull, his wife Geraldine Hull, granddaughters Tara Curry, Mandy Laubaugh, and Olivia Hull, and siblings Elmer Hull, Jr., Clarence Hull, Wayne Hull, Doris Gates, and Wanda Hull.

He is survived by daughter Linda Laubaugh of Oolagah, OK, daughter Sandra (Doug) Higgins of Middleville, MI, son James (Deborah) Hull of Stillwater, OK, daughter Barb (Derek) Lydy of Hastings, MI, son Michael (Char) Hull of Hastings, MI, and daughter Melissa (Steve) Morgan of Saranac, MI, grandchildren Angel Couch, Rachel (Michael) Chacon, Jodi (Todd) Gorrell, Meritt (Ron) Apsey, Greta (Chris) Sellitti, Ben (Michelle) Hull, Joe (Sarah) Hull, Alison (Kyle) VanMalak, Eric (Casey) Meek, Elizabeth (Jim) Main, Anthony (Haley) Hull, Emily Hull, Chelsea Chase, and Sydney Chase, special sons-in-law Jerry Laubaugh and Mark Meek, 21 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at 11:00 AM with Funeral Service to follow at Noon, Rev. Leonard Davis officiating, at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.