V. Frederick Gunnell

Versal Frederick Gunnell (‘Fred’), age 96, of Cedar Springs Michigan passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

He was born June 19, 1930 to Versal Asbury Gunnell and Lorena Belle Blanchard of Rockford, Michigan. He attended grade school in Rockford, later moving to Cedar Springs, Michigan in 1944, graduating from Cedar Springs High School in 1949.

While attending high school, he first met Carollee Grace Crane, ‘the love of his life’. In 1950 they married, an enduring and loving relationship that spanned over 74 years until her death in 2025. Together, they caringly raised two children, Gregg and Kathleen (Katie).

In 1952, Fred was activated to military service in the Army during the Korean conflict, serving 2 years in the 10th infantry division at Fort Riley in Kansas, and 6 years in Army Reserves, being honorably discharged in 1960. While in the Army reserves he attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelors and Masters in Education, beginning his education career in 1959 with the Sparta Area Schools System as science and civics teacher, and high school guidance counselor.

In 1967 he was hired by Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan as Assistant Director of Admissions, becoming the Director of Admissions in 1986. During his time at MTU he was additionally responsible for international student affairs and admissions.

Fred retired from Michigan Tech in 1992, returning to Cedar Springs, Michigan to help care for Carollee’s elderly parents and continuing his commitment of community service in the Cedar Springs area. Fred’s conviction toward fostering community, education, students, and family were evidenced in a lifetime of remarkable involvement wherever he and Carollee lived.

Beginning in 1963, and up to present day, Fred actively participated in Rotary International, becoming a past chapter President & Paul Harris award recipient. In 1970, he became President of Portage(Houghton) Township School Board and notably handed out his own daughter's diploma upon graduation in 1976. In 1994 he was appointed to Solon Township Planning Commission, later elected Trustee to Solon Township Board serving two decades from 1996-2016. He was appointed Trustee First United Methodist Church Cedar Springs serving from 1994-2023, and from 1998 until his passing was President of the Cedar Springs Historical Society leading the charge on fundraising and completing the critical museum expansion in 2009-2010. Fred, together with Carollee were the Grand Marshalls of the Cedar Springs Red Flannel Festival in 2010.

Alongside Fred’s community service, he and Carollee, supported advanced education initiatives by hosting several international exchange students, and in 2018, donated 10 acres to the Creative Technologies Academy of Cedar Springs to promote student activities and athletics facilities. Additionally, he and Carollee helped support countless students with college tuition and other expenses helping them rise up!

Without doubt Fred made a great impact on his community, and more personally, his family. He dearly loved his grandsons and great granddaughter, having always found a way to be ‘in the moment’ with them, working on a project, hiking in the forest, or just out for a ride around the farm on tractor or side by side. Additionally, he remained very close to his immediate siblings, often sharing a meal or a story, more likely both!

Fred was an avid outdoorsman, having learned hunting and fishing in early life during his rural upbringing in Cedar Springs. Deer hunting and trout fishing were the subject of many stories at family gatherings, holidays, and even in print. As can be imagined, those stories became more embellished with each passing year!

One deer season, in the Upper Peninsula at the family Camp, Fred bagged a trophy buck recognized by the Commemorative Bucks of Michigan. That bad boy still hangs on the wall and the story needs no stretching, it was a monster! Fred had also successfully hunted moose and dall sheep in the mountains of Alaska and fished for salmon next to the grizzlies.

Fred promoted and supported farming initiatives and had enjoyed planting several small orchards over the years having produced a lot of fruit for family and friends. He even pressed his own apple cider. He was a passionate DIY-er, mowing his own lawn, and plowing snow from his driveway as recently as January of 2026.

Fred had a sustained passion for life and people! It was fulsome in service to others, deeply committed to family, supportive and caring. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Fred is survived by his daughter, Kathleen (Katie) G. Webber; son-in-law, Daniel H. Webber; grandsons, Corey A. Webber (Maureen), Coleton D. Webber (Stephanie); great-granddaughter, Cassandra Carollee Webber.

He is also survived by his brother, John A. Gunnell, 92 of Grand Rapids, MI and sister Camilla Tuesink, 85 of Cedar Springs MI, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife Carollee Gunnell, his son Dr. Gregg F. Gunnell and siblings, Shirley, Janet, Nancy, and Tom.

The family will greet friends Wednesday, July 1 from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am at the K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Michelle Valllier from Cedar Springs United Methodist Church officiating. Interment with military honors will be held at Solon Township Cemetery. Following the cemetery service a luncheon will be held at the United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main St. Cedar Springs.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by check to the Cedar Springs Historical Museum, 60 Cedar St., Cedar Springs, MI 49319.