Norwood "Woody" Avis

Norwood "Woody" Avis age 93 of Cedar Springs, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Visitation will be held Friday, September 25 from 5 - 7 pm at the K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service will be held Saturday, September 26 at 11:00 am at the United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main St. Cedar Springs with viewing beginning at 10:00 am.

Following the service:

Please enjoy coffee prior to the luncheon in the church hall (downstairs) or join us as we share our nation's gratitude at a military honor guard ceremony and burial at Elmwood Cemetery, 13603 Northland Dr NE Cedar Springs, MI.

Upon return from Elmwood, we invite friends and family to join us in the church hall (downstairs) for a celebration of life luncheon prepared by members of Cedar Springs United Methodist Church.

In honor of Woody's 'generous gift of gab', during the luncheon, we invite friends and family to prepare a favorite "Woody" memory or tall tale to share that celebrates his ever-present humor and friendly nature.

We encourage gifts in memory of Woody to Cedar Springs Community Food Pantry or Corewell Health Hospice. Please note "in memory of Woody Avis" on any gift envelope, or check, or select the “in memory of” box if making an online gift.

We would like to thank the dedicated staff and community members at The Brook of Cedar Springs for providing dad with four years of fun & friendship after our mother passed. You gave him reasons to embrace life again and brought him so much happiness.

We would also like to send our deepest gratitude to the amazing team at Corewell Hospice. For thirteen long weeks they cared for our father through many challenges. Their care, expertise, and compassion was heartfelt, and our appreciation is without measure.

Our sincere thanks also goes out to the wonderful staff at Lakeview Terrace Assisted Living. Though dad did not have the opportunity to meet and engage with your sweet community during his short stay, our family enjoyed working with your entire team of caregivers who worked diligently to support Woody as his health declined. We are grateful for every effort your team made to support and comfort him in his last weeks.

Finally, to our family, friends, and communities - your prayers and support sustained us on this long journey. Every note, prayer, phone call, and visit was invaluable. We were immensely blessed by witnessing the outpouring of love you lavished on our father. Your thoughtfulness and kindness were as holy ointment for his brow and brought peace to our hearts.

Woody was welcomed into heaven by many family members who waited patiently for his arrival, including: his parents, Donald and Wenona Avis; his wife, Janet (Nielsen) Avis; his brother, Ronald Avis; Janet’s parents Norman Nielsen and Helen (Miller) Nielsen; Janet’s brothers, Gerald Nielsen and Daniel Nielsen; and son-in-law Thomas Tice (Ruth Betar).

He will be remembered lovingly by his family: Tamara Avis; Ruth and Jim Betar, grandchildren Michael Greer, Kelli Greer, Shawn and Krysta Betar, and two great-grandchildren Clare and Audrey Betar; Richard and Julianne Avis; Marcia and Brian Gibson, and grandson Andrew Gibson. Included in missing him will be his sisters-in-law Sondra Nielsen and Nell Avis, as well as his nieces and nephews and their families, whom he loved: Dorai and Bruce VanDyke, Darci and Mike Waite, Duinn and Scott Shevock, Drew and Becky Nielsen, Amy Avis, and Molly and Kevin Ball.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8