Attorney dies one day after event to celebrate his life

GRAND RAPIDS (AP) — A Michigan lawyer and Republican activist has died, a day after hundreds of people responded to his published invitation to attend an open house to celebrate his life.

Bob Eleveld died Sunday at the age of 80.

He was too ill from cancer to attend the event Saturday at a Grand Rapids-area golf club.

Guests ate roast beef and shrimp and wrote messages that were delivered to Eleveld by family members.

His partner, Michele McIsaac, said the reception fulfilled Eleveld’s wishes.

“He went out with a bank,” she said.

A daughter, Kerry Eleveld, said there was an “outpouring of love” in the room.

On March 12, Eleveld published his obituary and announced the open-house celebration in the Grand Rapids Press.

His family called it a “no-bit” because he was still alive.