The fund honors our parents and grandparents, Forest and Louise Middleton. Forest (Forey) was a great example of following your own path: he left high school to attend trade school and became a self-taught engineer. He took what he learned there and became the chief engineer at Lescoa, a manufacturing company, all while building a home for our family. He holds several patents and started Middleville Tool & Die in a garage near downtown Grand Rapids. Forey loved to build things with his hands, helping construct family homes and even laying the blocks for the first Middleville Tool and Die building.
His great love, though, was Louise. In 1956/57, they found a run-down summer cottage on Barlow Lake and scraped together the $5,500 price tag. No shower but that was what the lake was for! Forey and Louise had a built-in ‘labor force’ of five kids Kay, Diane, Gary, Bob, and David. Utilizing Forey’s engineering skills and ingenuity, they decided to rebuild the cottage one wall at a time, using salvaged and reclaimed materials. That resourcefulness paid off when it became their permanent family home in 1963. Over the years, that cottage on Barlow Lake became the central gathering spot for their kids and grandkids every Sunday and holidays for many years to come. After raising her kids, Louise dedicated herself to serving the local community and her family. She began driving a school bus for Thornapple Kellogg, a job she took seriously. In fact, she proudly drove 14 of her 17 grandchildren to kindergarten over the years. Even at 91 years old, Louise claimed she was a better driver than any of her own kids!
When Forey retired at 78, he pursued his interest in antique guns, repairing and rebuilding them. Louise, a talented seamstress, continued her commitment to service, volunteering at the local retirement home, Carveth Village, where she sewed and donated various items. We established this fund to support determined students who embody the balanced legacy of Forest and Louise.
We seek students who, like Forest, see a skilled trade as their path to ingenuity, innovation, and independence, using their hands and knowledge to build careers and businesses. And who, like Louise, demonstrate an unwavering loyalty and commitment to service whether driving a school bus for their community or using their practical skills, like sewing, to care for others in need. This scholarship is for the next generation of resourceful individuals who will build and serve their communities with the same dedication and love.
The Fund awards scholarships to a graduating senior or a graduate of Thornapple Kellogg high school pursuing a 2-year certification in trades.
Eligibility Requirements
Leadership & work experience is preferred.
Must be a graduate of or a graduating high school senior from Thornapple Kellogg Schools.
Must be accepted at an accredited post-secondary school or vocational/technical institute for the any field in the trades – including certification.
Financial need is not a requirement, but students must fill out the FAFSA application.
Applicants will be evaluated on their essays