Donna Jean LaVanway
October 7th, 1933 - November 23rd, 2021
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Donna's Obituary
Donna Jean LaVanway, 88, of Bridgman, passed away on Tuesday, November 23rd 2021 at her home in the arms of her son James.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, December 4th 2021 at Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd St. Joseph. Visitation will be one hour prior, from 10-11 also at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Donna was born on October 7th, 1933 in Kalamazoo, MI to the late Leonard and Ruth Richardson. Donna did not miss one day of school in her K-12 school career. She was Valedictorian of Watervliet High School. On May 16, 1953, she married Carl LaVanway Jr. She was a wonderful mother to five children and would do anything for her family. Donna was very active with her children as a Cub Scout Leader. She traveled all across the country with her husband. Her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, playing board games, square dancing, playing piano, singing in the choir and playing cards until the sun came up. Donna loved spending time with her family and friends. She was a caring and loving mother to her children, grandma to her grandkids and Nana to her great-grandkids.
Donna is survived by her siblings: Bud (Icy) Richardson, Babe Otte; children James (Vonnie) LaVanway, Sandra (Richard) Wiley, Gary LaVanway, Randy (Cindy) LaVanway and Carla (Dennis) Ricketts; grandchildren Valarie (Ryan) Schebel, Jake (Julie) LaVanway, Jason (Nikki) Wiley, Tracy (Delbert) Denkins, Justin LaVanway, Kristi LaVanway, Melissa (Rob) Kennedy, Jamie (Aaron) Tessaro, and Joshua Ricketts; nineteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandson James. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 63 years, brother Bob, and granddaughter Jessica.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, December 4th 2021 at Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd St. Joseph. Visitation will be one hour prior, from 10-11 also at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Donna was born on October 7th, 1933 in Kalamazoo, MI to the late Leonard and Ruth Richardson. Donna did not miss one day of school in her K-12 school career. She was Valedictorian of Watervliet High School. On May 16, 1953, she married Carl LaVanway Jr. She was a wonderful mother to five children and would do anything for her family. Donna was very active with her children as a Cub Scout Leader. She traveled all across the country with her husband. Her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, playing board games, square dancing, playing piano, singing in the choir and playing cards until the sun came up. Donna loved spending time with her family and friends. She was a caring and loving mother to her children, grandma to her grandkids and Nana to her great-grandkids.
Donna is survived by her siblings: Bud (Icy) Richardson, Babe Otte; children James (Vonnie) LaVanway, Sandra (Richard) Wiley, Gary LaVanway, Randy (Cindy) LaVanway and Carla (Dennis) Ricketts; grandchildren Valarie (Ryan) Schebel, Jake (Julie) LaVanway, Jason (Nikki) Wiley, Tracy (Delbert) Denkins, Justin LaVanway, Kristi LaVanway, Melissa (Rob) Kennedy, Jamie (Aaron) Tessaro, and Joshua Ricketts; nineteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandson James. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 63 years, brother Bob, and granddaughter Jessica.
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