Allegan, MI, beloved father, grandfather, husband and brother to his adoring family, Carness Franklin Ramey passed away peacefully with family by his side on Saturday, April 11, 2009. In his nearly full century of life, Carness filled many roles with honor and dedication. He began his life on a farm in Indiana, survived the 1918 flu epidemic and was the eldest of 4 brothers and a sister. During these early years he developed a respect for the land and a love for animals, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. Mr. Ramey was preceded in death by a brother, Owen Hugh (a navy pilot who was killed on active duty in WWII), brother Herman, infant grandson, Christian Michael Wentzel and his beloved wife Rose. At the age of seventeen, he joined the Navy for the first time in 1928 and served until 1931. Carness rejoined the Navy in 1942 serving in World War II in the Pacific leaving the service in 1945 as a Chief Petty Officer. In between his service in the Navy, he worked various jobs while attending university classes and married the beautiful dark-eyed Rose Fakan in 1941. During their 64 years together they had three children--Sheila Ramey Wentzel of Grasonville, Maryland, Owen Dennis Ramey of Martin, Michigan, and Debby Ramey Burnett of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Carness is also survived by five grandchildren, Nandy Anne Wentzel, Heidi Elizabeth Miller, Christian Michael Burnett, Owen Carness Ramey and Lauren Renee Ramey as well as three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his children-in-law, Kendrick Wentzel, Christopher Burnett, Dina Ramey, his brother Everett Ramey and sister Helen Ross, both of Muncie, Indiana. Above all else, Carness was a devoted and loving family man. He was an avid reader, and especially loved poetry, military and civil war history. He could easily recite the date and circumstances of many battles, or entire stanzas of his favorite poems. Always an active and concerned citizen, he exchanged spirited letters over the years with everyone, from local Congressmen to Senators to the Presidents of the United States. He never tired of giving his time or effort to effect positive change in his community and in the world. Mr. Ramey founded TruHeat Corporation in 1959 which was purchased in 1972 by Templeton Coal Company, Inc. He served on their Board of Directors for over a decade. After retirement Carness founded Heatcom, Inc. and worked as a sales rep for TruHeat until his second retirement in 1983. He also served on the Kalamazoo River cleanup committee for many years. When he wasn't defending his country, building a business, caring for his family, making his community and the world a better place, Carness enjoyed flying (he was a licensed pilot), waterskiing (he slalom skied well into his 60s), and playing tennis (he was a formidable opponent on the courts in Florida where he and Rose enjoyed their winters). Carness married Gean Clegg a retired Allegan Hospital nurse in 2006 and they enjoyed their time together traveling and being with family. Friends may meet with the family from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel. Visitation will also be held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. Tuesday until time of funeral service at 11 a.m Tuesday. Pastor Ron Bessert officiating. Military honors by the Otsego V.F.W. Post #3030. Private entombment Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park, Kalamazoo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice, 530 Linn Street, Allegan or Otsego County Animal Control & Friends for Life, Inc. 200 East 7th Street Gaylord, Michigan 49755. Please click here to view the video tribute