Mr. Richard L. Birkman, age 70, died Tuesday, December 11, 2007. He was born September 28, 1937 in Newfield Township, Oceana County to Pete and Pauline (Malburg) Birkman. He joined Charlene Alvesteffer in marriage on May 11, 1957 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Weare. Mr. Birkman was employed in construction with Buildings Plus and Farm Bureau and was also on the Board of Directors of Great Lakes Energy. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 2199 Hart. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Charlene; children, Cindy (Chris) Stanton of Charlotte, MI, Terry (Brenda) Birkman of Hart, Bob Birkman of Grand Rapids and Laurie (Gary) Nosek of New Breman, OH; 10 grandchildren, Jenn, Scott and Matt Stanton, Michele (Robert) Amstutz, Michael Birkman, Alex Birkman, Kim, Kelli, Tyler and Tara Nosek; 3 sisters, Sister Jean Marie Birkman of Grand Rapids, Donna (Francis) Vanderzanden of Hart and Judy Coulier of Florida; several nieces and nephews, including Donald (Debbie) Birkman of Walkerville. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters and brother in law, Mary Lou (Harold) Hoffman and Joanne Birkman. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Friday, December 14, 2007 at 11:00 AM from St. Joseph Catholic Church-Weare with Fr. Anton Tran presiding. Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Tate-King Funeral Home, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be given to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund.