A l l I n T h e Fa m i l y Celebrating and Recognizing Local Family Owned Businesses July 2019 | A Special Supplement to the Pioneer
REALTY 6-6329
.com
Rapids, MI 49307
Sue Glatz
2 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • JULY 2019
SVEN’S TREE REMOVAL Sven’s Tree Removal is a family owned business owned and managed by Sven Benson. His 75-year old father volunteers with the local Fire Department and still works with the team providing quality tree care, trimming and complete removal in any troublesome situation... or simply to open up the landscape. Using the most up-to-date equipment and best business practices, Sven’s offers homeowners peace of mind when problematic trees need professional care. Sven’s Tree Removal offers the best options for start-to-finish tree work and will be glad to offer estimates on any project.
SVEN BENSON SVEN’S TREE REMOVAL STANWOOD, MI 49346
231-408-8280 FAMILY OWNED TREE WORK OF ALL KIND
Silvernail Realty was established in Big Rapids by Norman Silvernail in 1966. Sue Silvernail Glatz, Norm’s daughter, began working forJULY the 2019 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • 3 company in 1978. She got her brokers license SILVERNAIL REALTY in 1986 and during her time at Silvernail Realty, Now 3 Generations began a successful Property Management Silvernail Realty was established in Big Rapids business with over 250 Sue’s by Norman Silvernail in units. 1966. Recently Sue Silvernail Glatz, Norm’s began has working forthe the daughter Katydaughter, Glatz VanCuren joined company in 1978. She got her brokers license family business making it 3 generations of in 1986 and during her time at Silvernail Realty, Silvernail’s running Property the show!Management began a successful business with over 250 units. Recently Sue’s As you can see, the Silvernail’s have been a daughter Katy Glatz VanCuren has joined the fixture in the Bigmaking Rapids itcommunity for over family business 3 generations of Silvernail’s running the show!to the area and 50 years. They are dedicated
As you can see, the Silvernail’s have been ato have depths of knowledge when it comes fixture in the Big Rapids community for over history of and properties in the greater Mecosta, 50 years. They are dedicated to the area and Osceola area.of knowledge when it comes to have depths history of and properties in the greater Mecosta, Come see the Silvernail family for any of your Osceola area.
housing needs be it to rent or buy. We will Come see the Silvernail family for any of your provide with specialized Real housingyou needs bethe it to rent or buy. WeEstate will provide you with the specialized Real Estate Service you deserve! Service you deserve!
SILVERNAIL SILVERNAIL REALTY REALTY Call Today! 231-796-6329 Call Today! 231-796-6329 www.silvernailrealty.com
www.silvernailrealty.com 17810 205th Ave., Suite #1 - Big Rapids, MI 49307 Sue Glatz, GRI, CRB, 17810 205th Ave., Suite #1ABR, - BigBroker/Owner Rapids, MI 49307 Salespersons: Terry Weaver, Katy VanCuren
Sue Glatz, GRI, CRB, ABR, Broker/Owner Property Management “Helping Buyers & Sellers Land Contracts for over 50 years” Salespersons: Terry Weaver, Katy VanCuren Property Management
Land Contracts
“Helping Buyers & Sellers
for over 50 years”
Sue Glatz
Sue Glatz
Katy VanCuren
Katy VanCuren
4 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • JULY 2019
MICHAEL OIL & PROPANE FUELS MECOSTA COUNTY By Mike Mumah “We’re a family business,” says Gail Bailey, President of Michael Oil. She’s not kidding, either. With over 70 years of service to the Big Rapids area, they know their business. The Michael family came to Big Rapids in 1948. Stan and Eunice Michael, Gail’s grandparents, started their family business with a Sunoco gas station. Stan also delivered fuel oil and gasoline out of his station wagon. As the business grew, fuel delivery trucks were purchased to handle the increasing demand for delivery service. In the mid-70s Harry Michael, Stan and Eunice’s son took over. He expanded the operation in several areas to meet customer needs. In the late-80s, Michael Oil and Propane closed their gas stations to facilitate a major expansion into propane service. The gas stations are now gone, and Gail Bailey, granddaughter of Stan and Eunice, is at the helm. Michael Oil concentrates their business on propane, heating fuel, diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, and lubricants. Their clientele is extremely varied; from the home-owner, to farms, industrial and commercial business, to even governmental units. Michael Oil also has a service department for the sales and service of fuel-using equipment, including whole-home generators. “We enjoy helping people,” says Bailey. “We provide the service and deliverable fuels for businesses and homes that don’t have access to natural gas, and some that do.” Michael Oil and Propane serves West-Central Michigan. The fuels they sell are delivered to their storage facility a mile north of Roben-Hood Airport, where Michael Oil can use their many trucks to deliver their products to those that need it. Find us on Facebook, or check us out at michaeloilandpropane.com.
JULY 2019 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • 5
Mecosta County’s ONLY Locally Owned & Operated Oil & Propane Company ULTRA LOW SULFUR DIESEL GASOLINE • PROPANE LUBRICANTS LP CYLINDER FILLING We Deliver or Haul Your Own!
MICHAEL
OIL & PROPANE
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE! Locally Owned & Operated Since 1948 18655 Northland Dr., Old U.S. 131, Big Rapids
1-800-348-1367 231-796-8681
6 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • JULY 2019
TOP PERFORMING SPARTA CHEVROLET CONTINUES TO SHINE Auto buyers tired of “smoke, mirrors and the guy behind the curtain” will be refreshed by the friendly atmosphere and no gimmick approach at Sparta Chevrolet. “When my dad bought the Ford dealership in Cedar Springs in the mid ‘70s he didn’t know anything about the auto business, but he had a vision – treat everyone the same and provide an excellent experience whether they’re buying an oil change or a new vehicle,” explains Davey Vanderhyde at Sparta Chevrolet. “His common-sense approach worked so well that when he sold the store in ’98 the new owner refused to complete the purchase unless he could keep our name on the building. Twenty years later and it seems like weekly we meet someone surprised
we don’t own the store in Cedar anymore. I guess we should be flattered.” Davey credits his dad’s vision as being responsible for turning the small dealership in Sparta into one of the top performing Chevrolet dealerships in the state. “The circus atmosphere is big right now; ridiculous trade-in promises, gimmicky gazillion mile warranties and lots of VERY fine print, ‘Mouse Print’ we call it.” laughs Davey. “Chevrolet charges us all the same for a vehicle, state franchise law says so. The only way a customer gets a better deal....is if we give them a better deal, and you don’t do that by overcharging to show them a ridiculous value for their trade.”
“For our customer, it’s about the assurance they aren’t getting snookered, is how my Mom would have described it,” says Davey. “We have three generations of the Vanderhyde family here: we’re family owned, people driven and proudly provide a straight forward, money saving experience.”
Sparta Chevrolet 8955 Sparta Avenue Hours 8-8 (M-TH), 8-6 (Fri), 8-3 (Sat) 616-887-1791 www.SpartaChevy.Com
Sparta Trailers Cimarron, Sundowner, Lakota, Trails West, Horse & Stock Trailers, Snowmobile & Toy Haulers
JULY 2019 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • 7
THE HOTTEST DEALS OF JULY DEALS OF JULY THE HOTTEST ARE RIGHT HERE ARE AT RIGHT HERE AT
SPARTA CHEVROLET SPARTA CHEVROLET
WAY YOU’LL LOVE THE WAY 0% FOR DO UP TOBUSINESS 84 MONTHS FINANCING AVAILABLE ON84 SELECT SILVERADO’S 0% FOR UP TO MONTHS FINANCING AVAILABLE ON SELECT SILVERADO’S SS WE
LD
2019 COLORADO 2WD EXT 1500 CAB LD 2019 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
2019COLORADO CRUZE HATCHBACK LS 2019 2WD EXT CAB
WORK ALL STAR TRUCK EDITION
19T485
COURTESY WORK CAR TRUCK
COURTESY CAR
19t581 19T485
NE CLIMATE WHEELS.
5.3L ECOTEC3 ENGINE, WT POWER SEAT, LED FOG LAMPS, DUAL ZONE CLIMATE MANUAL TRANSMISSION, CONVENIENCE PACKAGE, REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY, CONTROL, REMOTE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER, 18” WHEELS. CRUISE CONTROL, EZSTART, LIFT AND LOWER TAILGATE, REAR VISION CAMERA.
MSRP $46,195 MSRP $25,485$2,570 SPARTA DISCOUNT SPARTA$2,000 DISCOUNT $1,691 NATIONAL REBATE • BONUS CASH $3,500 CHEVROLET CONSUMER OFFER $1,000 SALE PRICE: $38,124 CHEVROLET BONUS CASH $750 LEASE FOR ONLY $348/MO. WITH $0 DOWN GM LOYALTY $1,000
$3,500
0 DOWN S
19C001 19t581
LT CONVENIENCE PACKAGE, POWER DRIVER SEAT, KEYLESS OPEN, KEYLESS REMOTE START, 20” ALUMINUM WHEELS, LED DURABED LIGHTING, TAILGATESTART, WITH REMOTE START, CAMERA, ANDROID AUTO AND APPLE CARPLAY CAPABLE. LIFTREARVIEW ASSIST,POWER LOCK AND RELEASE, HITCH GUIDANCE.
WAS $43,015 MSRP $26,145 SPARTA DISCOUNT SPARTACHEVY DISCOUNT $1,000$1,945 BONUS CASH $5,250
OR LEASE NATIONAL REBATE $2,250 FOR $359/ $243/ REBATE $1000 BONUSNATIONAL CASH $2,000 MONTH DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE$$750 SALE PRICE: 34,819 WITH $0 DOWN SALE FOR PRICE: LEASE ONLY$20,145 $359/MONTH WITH $0 DOWN
WN
2019 TRAVERSE 1LT 19t597 2019 SPARK LS
2019 EQUINOX AWD 2FL
19C019
19T344
MSRP $32,535 $26,145 MSRP $1,000 SPARTA DISCOUNT $1,259 NATIONAL REBATE $2,250 CHEVROLET CONSUMER OFFER $1,000 BONUS CASH $2,000 CHEVROLET BONUS CASH $3,000 DOWNGM PAYMENT ASSISTANCE LOYALTY $1,000 $750 $ PRICE:: $20,145 SALE PRICE 26,275
DRIVER CONVENIENCE PACKAGE, POWER REAR LIFTGATE, REMOTE START, HEATED SEATS, DUAL ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL, UNIVERSAL HOME REMOTE, REAR VISION CAMERA.
MSRP $32,535 SPARTA DISCOUNT $1,259 CHEVROLET CONSUMER OFFER $1,000 CHEVROLET BONUS CASH $3,000 GM LOYALTY $1,000
OR OR LEASE LEASE FOR ONLY FOR $243/ $289/ MONTH MONTH WITH WITH $0 $0 DOWN DOWN
SALE PRICE : $26,275
2019 SILVERADO 2500 2WD 2019 TRAVERSE 1LT CREW 19t597CAB LTZ
19T597 19C019 7 PASSENGER SEATING,3.7” REARCOLOR VIEW CAMERA, TEEN DRIVER TECHNOLOGY, COLOR TOUCHSCREEN AIR CONDITIONING, TOUCHSCREEN INFOTAINMENT, ANDROID AUTO/ INFOTAINMENT CENTER, ANDROID AUTO AND APPLE CARPLAY COMPATIBLE, TRAILERING EQUIPMENT.
APPLE CARPLAY CABABLE. 4G WIFI HOTSPOT, REAR VISION CAMERA.
MSRP $37,245 MSRP $14,095 OR LEASE SPARTA SPARTA DISCOUNT $1,458 $618 FOR ONLY DISCOUNT CHEVROLET CONSUMER OFFER $1,000 CHEVROLET CONSUMER OFFER $1,000$377/ CHEVROLET BONUS BONUS CASH $1,250 CHEVROLET CASH $1,000 MONTH GM LOYALTY $1,250 WITH $0 SALE PRICE: $11,447 DOWN SALE PRICE: $32,287
00
19T344 19T535
CONVENIENCE PACKAGE, POWER REAR LIFTGATE, REMOTE START, LTDRIVER CONVENIENCE PACKAGE, POWER DRIVER SEAT, KEYLESS OPEN, KEYLESS START, HEATED SEATS, DUAL ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL, UNIVERSAL HOME REMOTE, REMOTE START, REARVIEW CAMERA, ANDROID AUTO AND APPLE CARPLAY CAPABLE. REAR VISION CAMERA.
SNOWBIRD SPECIAL
19T021 19T597 DURAMAX DIESEL WITH 6 REAR SPEEDVIEW ALLISON TRANSMISSION, HEATED AND COOLED LEATHER SEATING, 7 PASSENGER SEATING, CAMERA, TEEN DRIVER TECHNOLOGY, COLOR TOUCHSCREEN TRAILERING MIRRORS, POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS, BOSE COMPATIBLE, AUDIO, NAVIGATION, 20” ALUMINUM INFOTAINMENT CENTER, ANDROID AUTO AND APPLE CARPLAY TRAILERING EQUIPMENT. WHEELS, ROOF MARKER LAMPS, 5THWHEEL/GOOSSNECK TRAILER HITCH PREP PACKAGE
19T021 DURAMAX DIESEL WITH 6 SPEED ALLISON TRANSMISSION, HEATED AND COOLED LEATHER SEATING, TRAILERING MIRRORS, POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS, BOSE AUDIO, NAVIGATION, 20” ALUMINUM WHEELS, ROOF MARKER LAMPS, 5THWHEEL/GOOSSNECK TRAILER HITCH PREP PACKAGE
MSRP $37,245 OR LEASE MSRP $65,555 SPARTASPARTA DISCOUNT $1,458 $4,465 FOR ONLY DISCOUNT CHEVROLET CONSUMER OFFER $1,000 CHEVROLET CONSUMER OFFER $1,500$377/ CHEVROLET CASH $1,000 MONTH CHEVROLET BONUS BONUS CASH $1,250 DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE $1,500 GM LOYALTY $1,250 WITH $0 $ $ DOWN SALE PRICE: 57,090 SALE PRICE: 32,287
MSRP $65,555 SPARTA DISCOUNT $4,465 CHEVROLET CONSUMER OFFER $1,500 CHEVROLET BONUS CASH $1,000 DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE $1,500 SALE PRICE: $57,090
OPEN UNTIL 8:00 MON. RRY, OFFER ENDS 07/31/2019 HURRY, OFFER ENDS 07/31/2019 MSRP
26,145 32,535 37,245 46,195
TERM
MILES/ YEAR
DOWN PAYMENT
36 36 36 36
10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
$0 $0 $0 $0
SECURITY DEPOSITLEASE $0 $0 $0 $0
AMOUNT DUE AT START
TOTAL OF EXCESS TERM PAYMENTS MSRP MILEAGE
$8,784 TRAX LEASE$243 19T526 $26,145 $28919T344 $10,440 EQUINOX LEASE $32,535 $377 19T597 $13,608 TRAVERSE LEASE $37,245 $348 $12,564 SILVERADO LEASE 19T485 $46,195
.25 .25 .25 .25
36 36 36 36
MILES/ L.E.V. YEAR
$14,641 10,000 $20,172 10,000 $23,092 10,000 $26,793 10,000
DOWN PAYMENT
OR LEASE FOR ONLY $289/ MONTH WITH $0 DOWN
2019 SILVERADO 2500 2WD CREW CAB LTZ
SNOWBIRD SPECIAL
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DROID AUTO/ CAMERA.
SALE PRICE: $16,790
2019 EQUINOX AWDLT 2FL 2019 TRAX AWD
19T535 19T402
19T402
MSRP $21,495 SPARTA DISCOUNT $1,955 NATIONAL REBATE $2,000 GM DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE $750
SALE PRICE: PRICE: $20,994 16,790 SALE
2019CUSTOM TRAX AWD LT 2019 SILVERADO DOUBLE CAB 4X4
TAILGATE WITH CE.
REMOTE START, CRUISE CONTROL, BLUETOOTH FOR PHONE, TEEN DRIVER TECH, REAR VISION CAMERA,3.7” COLOR TOUCHSCREEN INFOTAINMENT CENTER, ANDROID AUTO AND APPLE CARPLAY CAPABLE, 5900 COURTESY MILES.
MSRP MSRP $25,485 $21,495 SPARTA DISCOUNT $1,691 SPARTA DISCOUNT $1,955 CHEVROLET CONSUMER OFFER $1,000 NATIONALBONUS REBATECASH $2,000 CHEVROLET $750 GM DOWNGM PAYMENT ASSISTANCE $750 LOYALTY $1,000
20,994
B 4X4
19C001
REMOTE TRANSMISSION, START, CRUISE CONTROL, BLUETOOTH FOR PHONE, TEEN DRIVERENTRY, TECH, MANUAL WT CONVENIENCE PACKAGE, REMOTE KEYLESS REAR CRUISE VISION CAMERA,3.7” TOUCHSCREEN INFOTAINMENT CENTER, ANDROID CONTROL, EZCOLOR LIFT AND LOWER TAILGATE, REAR VISION CAMERA. AUTO AND APPLE CARPLAY CAPABLE, 5900 COURTESY MILES.
OR 0% FINANCING FOR 84 MONTHS $ SALE PRICE: $553 WITH TAX & QUALIFIED CREDIT PAYMENT ONLY
D CREDIT
2019 CRUZE HATCHBACK LS
THURS., 6:00 ON FRI. SAT. UNTIL 3:00 SECURITY DEPOSIT
AMOUNT DUE AT START
TOTAL OF PAYMENTS
EXCESS MILEAGE
L.E.V.
$0 $0 $0 $0
$243 $289 $377 $348
$8,784 $10,440 $13,608 $12,564
.25 .25 .25 .25
$14,641 $20,172 $23,092 $26,793
$0 $0 $0 $0
OPEN UNTIL 8:00 MON. - THURS., 6:00 ON FRI. SAT. UNTIL 3:00
ee. Must take delivery by 07/31/2019. Lease payments include loyalty qualified credit. Some prices may payments require GMinclude Loyaltylease incentive orand conquest incentive. No Hidden Fees or Charges; just add tax, title, lease plate and docand fee.require Must take delivery by 07/31/2019. Lease loyalty require qualified credit. Some prices may require GM Loyalty incentive or conquest incentive. rior sale. Some residency or other restrictions apply,and seeare us for complete details. have made every effort to assure accuracy the right details. to amend Vehicles may not be exactly asmay pictured subject to prior sale. We Some residency or other restrictions may apply,and seereserve us for complete Weand/or have made every effort to assure accuracy and reserve the right to amend and/or nd financing withcorrect G.M. Financial. Should rules or rebates change, neither customer nor dealer beFinancial. obligatedShould to consummate deal. Due to other special offers which may be any errors. Sone incentives require qualified credit and financing withwill G.M. rules or rebates change, neither customer nor dealer will be obligated to consummate deal. Due to other special offers which may be SED; please ask us for details. Thank you forACTUALLY shopping Sparta available, YOUR PRICE MAY BE LESSChevrolet. THAN ADVERTISED; please ask us for details. Thank you for shopping Sparta Chevrolet.
YOU’LL LOVE THE WAY WE LOVE DO BUSINESS YOU’LL THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS
616-887-1791 616-887-1791 Corner of M-37 & Sparta Ave.
Corner of M-37 & Sparta Ave.
www.spartachevy.com www.spartachevy.com
8 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • JULY 2019
Family Atmosphere For Breakfast and Lunch At the Red Rock Grille “We treat everyone that comes in here like they’re part of our family,” says Lisa Johnson, owner of the Red Rock Grille. Johnson has owned the Red Rock Grille, located in Kent City, for the past decade. She employs her daughters, Brittney and Lauren, as well as several other employees. When Johnson started working at the Red Rock Grille, she didn’t know she’d end up owning it. She bouxght the restaurvant from Dave and Sue Allen in 2008. She had just gone through a very bad divorce. She had just started working at the Red Rock, when the owner decided he didn’t want to be in the service industry. He offered to sell Johnson the business. “It used to be a party store, gas station, and restaurant,” says Johnson. “We’ve put a lot of time, effort and sweat into the business.”
That hard work has paid off. The Red Rock Grille has been awarded the best hamburger, best lunch, best restaurant, and best waitress in Kent County by the Pioneer Group. Johnson herself even notched the Best Boss award. “We have low prices. A friendly, family atmosphere.” Says Johnson. Johnson also credits the community for getting the Red Rock through some trying times. “We’re hoping to be still rockin’ and rollin’ in another ten years.” The Red Rock Grille is open for breakfast and lunch, but not for dinner. They do family dinner nights and breakfast buffets October through April. They are open Monday through Sunday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can find them on Facebook, or call them at (616) 678-7827.
SERVING DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS
Red Rock Grille FAMILY DINING
FULL SOUP & SALAD BAR (11-1PM)
BREAKFAST MENU AND EARLY RISER SPECIALS 6AM-2PM • Served with coffee FAMILY DINNER NIGHT October - April • 5PM-7PM Every 2nd Thursday of month. Call for Details!
SOUP & SALAD BAR
Monday-Friday 11AM-1PM
DINE-IN OR CARRY OUT
LUNCH MENU
Pizza, Subs, Burgers, Mexic an, Wraps, Sandwiches, Salads and Ba sket Combos
CORNER OF BALL CREEK & 17 MILE (M46) • KENT CITY
616-678-7827 MONDAY - SUNDAY 6 AM - 2 PM
JULY 2019 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • 9
Fresh Produce right to Your home With over 79 years of farming at their location just north of Grant, Nelson’s Farm Market knows their stuff. It began as general dairy farm, Harold and Julia Nelson’s plan was to grow a fruit orchard on their 140-acre property. They began with apples and peaches; the orchard was expanded to produce different varieties of plums, cherries, nectarines, and pears.
Nelson’s Farm Market, aside from having the best produce in Grant, also host to school trips that include a hay wagon ride and pumpkin picking. There is also a bakery on the farm, using the freshest ingredients grown right on the farm. For more details, find Nelson’s Farm Market on Facebook, or visit http://www.nelsonsfarmmarket.com.
In 1965, their son Carl took over the farm with his five sons, Dennis, Michael, Rick, Ron, and Randy. In 1977, Carl and his sons built Nelson’s Farm Market to sell the fruit that three generations brought to life. In 1989, Randy and his wife Bridjet bought the farm from their father, and still run it 30 years later. They’ve since added a greenhouse, a hay barn, and even added horses, llamas, goats, pigs, and peacocks, among several other types of animals.
NelsoN’s Farm market
rom Fresh F rm the Fa
Fresh BAKERY Donuts, Long Johns, Muffins.
Michigan Honey & OPEN sh Homemade e r F Maple Syrup • Preserves Caramel S 7 DAY Salsa • Sauces apples Kitchen Gadgets & A WEEK Canning Supplies apple Cider slusHes are BaCk!
HOURS: Mon. - Sat. 9 am - 6 pm • Sun. Noon - 5 pm 469 W. 112th St. • Located 1 mile North of Grant
231-834-8441
10 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • JULY 2019
Community Driven • Policyholder Focused • Education Based Alice Stephenson was born in Big Rapids on April 20, 1887. In 1917, Alice attended County Normal Classes at Ferris Institute. Woodbridge Ferris was the instructor of this program, which was designed to educate future teachers. In 1923, she married a first generation Swede, Carl A. Schuberg, who owned Schuberg’s Bar. In February, 1945, Alice Schuberg founded the Schuberg Agency and made a pledge to protect the financial security of our area’s businesses and families by offering them insurance protection through top-notch insurance companies. Carl M. Schuberg, Alice’s son, joined her after his discharge from the Marines on August 24, 1946. Carl was joined by Wayne “Skip” Mehl in 1965. Carl’s son, Rex, then entered the business in June, 1977. As of January 1, 2018, Rex’s son Tyler, is now the 4th generation owner. The Schuberg Insurance Agency will continue Alice’s pledge to protect the financial security of our community. THANK YOU! to all of our insureds and employees over the years that have been a part of our history and also, to the next generation.
74 years and 4 Generations Later… Tyler Schuberg, CIC Principal
Diane Leichty
Commercial Sales
Marcie Schuberg Sales
Emily Robison Sales
Gail Jacobs
Account Manager
Marisa Johnston
Account Manager
Nedra Neumann Accountant
Jessica Lytle Receptionist
www.schubergagency.com • OFFICE: (231) 796-5881 • FAX: (231) 796-5022
JULY 2019 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • 11
A FAMILY LEGACY
When thinking about the presence Lake-Osceola State Bank has in a four-county area with 10 offices, Deborah SmithOlson, chairperson, not only credits the hard work of four generations of Smith’s, but she also is quick to recognize the support of local communities and generations of families who hold shares in the bank. C. W. McPhail and E. L. Cole opened the bank in Baldwin, then called the Lake County Bank, in 1908. By 1911, SmithOlson’s grandfather, Robert J. Smith, who started out in 1908 as the cashier/janitor, joined
the partnership, and in 1917, Howard J. Hollister became a fourth partner. When Robert J. Smith died in 1948, Smith-Olson’s father, Robert S. Smith, took over as president. Her uncle, Curtis Smith, then became president in 1979 while Robert held the chairperson and CEO position until Smith-Olson became president and CEO in 1987. She became chairperson after her dad’s death in 2004. She still is chairperson, but Robert Fisher is president and was made CEO in May. With the bank initially starting
in Baldwin, by 1963, it merged with the Luther State Bank, which also had a branch in Tustin. These three offices were managed for 32 years, until 1995, when the bank began to expand. Offices were established in Irons; Wellston; Walkerville; Reed City; and two locations in Big Rapids on Michigan Avenue and Perry Street. The newest office, in LeRoy, opened in 2017. Smith-Olson is quick to note one of the greatest successes of the bank is community outreach. Community service for employees outside of work is
By Shanna Avery encouraged, with employees averaging 42 hours of volunteering per year. Last year, employees collectively logged 3,237 volunteer hours on behalf of 120 organizations. “We also invest dollars in our communities, but the employees’ volunteer efforts say more than dollars we give,” she said. “We are trying to make things better for our area and improve the quality of life.
12 • PIONEER FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS • JULY 2019