Richard Houghton

 Richard Mark Houghton (71) of Lakeview

Born April 10th 1952 to Dennis & Theda (Decker) Houghton passed away on December 16th 2023 in Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Dennis & Theda Houghton, Sister In-law Evonne Houghton and his beloved wife Karen Kristina Houghton (Kamradt).

Richard is survived by his children Joel (Ona) Houghton of Marina California. Kristin (Timothy) Conley of Big Rapids. Holly (Richard) Beilfuss of Benzonia. Tyler (Kendra) Houghton of Howard City.

Grandchildren-Allison Conley, Brittany Conley, Casey Conley, Gabriel Beilfuss & Grace Beilfuss.

Richard is also survived by his siblings.

Steve (Lorraine) Houghton of Beulah, Marsha Shurlow of Stanton, Karen (Denis) Teeter of Fenwick, Susan (David) Rasmussen of Lakeview & Julie Houghton of Lakeview along with many nieces and nephews.

Richard was a larger than life soul who loved his family fiercely.

He married the love of his life Karen Kristina Houghton (Kamradt) June 29th 1974. He only ever had eyes for Karen, even after being a widower for 23 years.

Growing up Richard was quite the athlete for the Lakeview High school football and basketball teams.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved reminiscing about  adventures with family and friends and catching a good "brookie".

Throughout his life he had many memorable experiences and trips with family and friends. He had many hunting and fishing trips with his brother as well as his sons where their dad taught them many things about growing up. He taught them how to be an outdoorsmen, hunters and fishermen. To respect Mother Nature. Joel remembers  going on fishing trips and working to clean up and being a helper on construction job sites. He remembers sitting in tree blinds together listening to the woods and mushroom  hunting. Dad loved being outdoors. He also taught his kids the importance of a good work ethic, and about having empathy for other people. He loved telling stories in a way that only he could tell them, and was beloved by many family and friends.

Tyler had many special adventures with dad as well, they traveled across the US and up through Canada to Alaska where dad had some of his most amazing adventures with his “Ty Guy”

As a young man in High school he became a Jehovah’s Witness and remained one faithfully his entire life.

He was also a builder of homes and Apartments with his brother and cousins and took great pride in his work, as he aged he transitioned from being a builder to a Building Inspector for Montcalm County.

Richard took great pride in being a grandpa often referring to himself lovingly as “Grumpy Grandpa”

Richard leaves a tremendous hole and will be missed by all who knew and loved him!

A celebration of life will be held at the Lakeview Community Center  located at

(309 S Lincoln Ave, Lakeview, MI 48850) On January 7th, 2023 to begin at 1:00pm