Game of Homes

Janiece Morgan (0:00)

Hey, true crime fans, it's Janice from ID. If you're a fan of this podcast, it would mean a lot if you could leave a reading or review on Apple podcasts or Spotify. It really helps the show. Thanks and enjoy the episode.

Most violent crimes that capture the public's imagination are about serial killers, mass shooters, or crimes of passion. Yet some of the most shocking conflicts we encounter are between everyday neighbors and ordinary neighborhoods. What makes a good neighbor go bad? We may never truly know, but heed this warning about the terrible things that can happen when even the pettiest disagreements pass the point of no return.

Our story is set in a sedate rural location in Michigan State, where a happy family and the single, independent grandmother next door have gotten along well for years. A couple moves into a house at the end of their shared driveway and is welcomed with open arms, until they lay claim to most of the land, including a piece the grandmother insists is hers. Insult is added to injury when her long-established neighbors side with the newcomers, and fences go up to keep the angry elder at bay. The betrayal sets her off, and soon vicious harassment and threats pile up on injunctions and lawsuits, and police are helpless to intervene. It's a recipe for disaster. This is Fear Thy Neighbor, Game of Homes.

Cooper'sville, Michigan is known for its frigid winters and warm inhabitants, says resident Jane Luke.

Jane Luke (1:51)

The community is really quiet.

It's mainly just a lot of families. Everybody's pretty close and friendly.

Janiece Morgan (2:00)

That's what Wendell Pope, Rhonda Clark, and Rhonda's daughter Morgan love most about living here.

Morgan Clark (2:06)

Wendell and mom loved the house because it was on a good piece of property The. property was out in the middle of nowhere, but kind of close to his work, a 30-minute drive from Grand Rapids.

Janiece Morgan (2:16)

Journalist John Barnes and attorney Jeffrey Cortez describe Wendell.

John Barnes (2:21)

Wendell was known as a steady character, on time job, within the Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Jeffrey Cortez (2:26)

He was a good guy, a hard worker, a caring neighbor.

SPEAKER_8 (2:32)

Hey, Wendell.

Janiece Morgan (2:33)

During their three years here, the family has developed a friendship with the woman living beside them, Sheila Bonge.

SPEAKER_7 (2:40)

Those fish look good.

SPEAKER_8 (2:41)

How about a trade?

SPEAKER_7 (2:42)

Fish for fruit. Fresh batch.

Janiece Morgan (2:45)

Sheila is a nurse's aide who resides alone on a two-acre plot of land adjacent to Wendell and Rhonda. Daughters Sandra Bonge and Jane Luke tell us how content she is in her home.

Sandra Bonge (2:56)

My mom absolutely loved that piece of property, and she really enjoyed living there.

Jane Luke (3:02)

She loved gardening. She loved being outside.

Sandra Bonge (3:05)

This was her little piece of paradise. She had everything she needed there to make her happy.

John Barnes (3:10)

Sheila was regarded as a very loving mother and a grandmother.

Janiece Morgan (3:14)

Sister Val Flaherty has nothing but praise for her sibling.

Val Flaherty (3:18)

Sheila was a selfless person. We'd give you anything that she had.

SPEAKER_6 (3:22)

Come on, Wendell, what do you think?

SPEAKER_11 (3:25)

Well, if they come from your garden, we got ourselves a deal.

Janiece Morgan (3:29)

Of course they're from my garden.

SPEAKER_11 (3:30)

Thank you.

Jane Luke (3:32)

My mom had a pretty good relationship with Wendell and Rhonda.

Janiece Morgan (3:36)

The neighbor's properties are connected by a single private driveway, as is a third home that currently sits empty. Sheila is the self-appointed guardian of this driveway, repairing it in the summer and keeping it clear in the winter.

Here's her old friend, Guy MacDonald.

Guy MacDonald (3:52)

It was kind of comical. If she had two inches of snow in her driveway, she was out with the snowblower snowblowing it out.

Jane Luke (3:58)

Pretty sure that Wendell and Rhonda were happy that they didn't have to do any of the maintenance themselves.

SPEAKER_11 (4:03)

Hey, looks like we got company.

Janiece Morgan (4:05)

New neighbors have bought the third adjacent property and will soon share the driveway.

Mark and Beth have come here for the peace and quiet of country living. Beth joins us.

Beth (4:16)

We wanted an old farmhouse, just kind of nostalgic. We could go fishing, we could have animals, and there's lots of room for us to explore.

SPEAKER_6 (4:25)

It would be nice to have some new people around.

Morgan Clark (4:28)

She'd been living this back road for so long that she was excited for new neighbors.

Janiece Morgan (4:34)