ESTES LEADLEY FUNERAL HOMES - Key Persons
R.I.P. Bonita. You fought valiantly. Now is the time for rest as you begin your eternal journey. Being with others - who you lost at one point - must be rewarding, even tho' everyone you knew here is mourning your loss. Our prayers are for the repose of your soul and spirit, and for Bill to be given the strength to bare your loss. You were a wonderful friend at a time that Cathy and I consider the happiest one year of our life in Santa Fe and you and Bill were a major reason. God Bless you always, Al & Cathy
Bonita Harper Sporer, age 57 of Holt, passed away April 11, 2024 in Lansing. She was born November 1, 1966 in Fairfield, Iowa to Clara Jean (Carlson) and John Alvin Harper.
Bonita was a graduate of Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she earned her bachelor's degree. She worked for the State of Michigan as a Department Specialist for the Secretary of State. Bonita also spent two years driving semi-truck in the 48 states. She had many interests in her free time such as: going to her favorite spot, Oval Beach on Lake Michigan; loved to read and learn; she had a black belt in mixed martial arts; she was a traditional boxer, was trained in Jiu Jitsu; was a member of the Tough Mudders; she enjoyed yard work; but most of all she loved her cats, Max and Baby.
Bonita is survived by her husband William J. Sporer, brothers: John Harper and David Harper.
Daniel met his Lord and Savior on April 6, 2024, at home while under hospice care and surrounded by family. He was born July 29, 1935, in Escanaba, Michigan, to Daniel J. and Alfa (Knutsen) Ferguson. Daniel graduated from Sexton High School and Michigan State University, earning a Master's degree in Business after serving in the U.S. Army. He worked as a project engineer at Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, Connecticut for 30 years, returning to Lansing after his retirement. Daniel had a passion for learning, family and helping others. He enjoyed a good game of cribbage, reading and bird watching, and was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Daniel was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Carol Ferguson in 1998. He is survived by his children, Daniel James Ferguson, Karen Adele Ferguson, both of Lansing, and David Edmund Ferguson of Pinellas Park, Florida; 8 grandchildren, Rachel, Katie, Joshua, Veda, Bill, Tabitha, Rhiannon, and Daniel; 3 great-grandchildren, Luke, Logan, and Lincoln; brothers, Richard and John; sisters, Betty, Coralee, and Kate, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins
The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, with interment to follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. His family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Elara Caring Hospice in memory of Daniel Ferguson.
Job Titles:
- Funeral Director Apprentice
Iestyn was born, raised, and resides in Lansing, Delta Township, graduating from Waverly Senior High in 2017. She is currently a Senior at Michigan State University with a goal of attending Wayne State University Department of Mortuary Science upon graduation. She began working part-time for Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes in June 2021 and is currently an active Mortuary Science Trainee with Estes-Leadley. Iestyn is looking forward to obtaining her Funeral Director License and continuing to provide the professional and caring service Estes-Leadley is known for. In addition to her academic studies, Iestyn enjoys spending time with her family (furry ones included), traveling when possible, and camping.
Job Titles:
- Co - Owner
- Funeral Director
Jeremy was born in Greenville, MI, and graduated from Greenville High School in 1991. He attended Grand Valley State University, and Graduated from Wayne State University. He worked at Muehlig Chapel in Ann Arbor, MI, and moved to the Lansing area in 1998, to work at the Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes. In 2007, he, along with Steve Morgan, took advantage of the opportunity to purchase the funeral home from SCI. He currently lives in Delta Township and has 2 sons. In addition to spending time with his sons, Jeremy enjoys camping.
Kenneth Lynn Payne, of Lansing, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on November 1, 2023. He was born on April 21, 1952, in Montgomery, Alabama to the union of Nathaniel Payne and Patsy M. Young Payne.
After Kenneth graduated from James Madison High School in Rochester, NY, Class of 1970, he continued his educational studies in Chemistry at Monroe Community College, Class of 1974; Organic Chemistry at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Class of 1982. Kenneth completed his graduate studies with a degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science and Engineering from North Dakota State University, Class of 1984.
After graduating with a degree in the chemical engineering field, Kenneth worked for Eastman Kodak Company, 1970-1982; Ciba Geigy Corporation, 1985-1988; Ciba Specialty Chemicals 1989-1997. He finished his career as a Regional Manager at Huntsman Advanced Materials in East Lansing, Michigan, and retired in 2012.
Kenneth loved all genres of music and was an awesome jazz drummer in several drum and bugle corps in his early years. He also shared his love of drumming with many young musicians in the Rochester, NY and Lansing, MI area.
Kenneth was predeceased by his parents. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 37 years, Claudien; daughter Keshunda, sons N'Gai CuZan and Arley Jerome "A.J."; brothers Michael and Timothy; special Aunt Corine; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous friends and neighbors.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Funeral Director
Mr. Lynch is a lifelong resident of Lansing and Delta Township. He is a 1959 graduate of Lansing Eastern High School, attended Michigan State University, and graduated Valedictorian from the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science. He has been associated with Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes since 1964 as a Licensed Mortician and co-owner/managing partner from 1976-1997.
Currently he remains active as a Licensed Funeral Director and Consultant. He has been, and continues to be, active in the Lansing community with memberships and activities, both past and present.
These include in part: St. Mary Cathedral; National and Michigan Funeral Director's Associations; Chair of the Lansing Fire Board of Commissioners; Model Cities Policy Board; Associate Member Capitol City Lodge #141, F.O.P.; a Past President and former Treasurer of the Lansing Area Safety Council; Family and Child Services Board; Boys and Girls Club of Lansing Board; Gannett Foundation Scholarship Committee; Chair of Sparrow Home Care Affiliate; Co-Chair Sparrow's Coaches, Athletes and Officials for Kids; former Chair and Board Chair Emeritus of the Sparrow Health System; 2008 recipient of the Sparrow Founders Award: Past President of the Old Newsboy's Association; Lansing Aerie #1039 F.O.E.; Lansing Liederkranz; Lansing Kiwanis Club; Past President of Box "23" Associates; University Club; Hospice of Lansing, Inc. Board; The Hundred Club of Lansing Board; Automobile Club of Lansing Past President and Board Member; Eastern High School Alumni Association; Ele's Place Board; Salvation Army Board; Delta Township Planning Commission; and Co-Chair of Lansing Community Dream Project. He was selected as the 1985 Lansing School District Citizen of the Year; is listed in the 1992 Publication of U.S. Registry's Who's Who; and selected as the 2002 South Lansing Business Association Community Service Person of the Year.
He has been married to Karol (Converse) since 1959, and they are parents to 3 and grandparents to 9.
Omar Keith Helferich age 89, born in Utica to Omar Kenneth and Kathryn Harriett passed away unexpectedly 03/28/24 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Omar was provided a Christian home, where he learned from his parents to live life with "Passion, Patience, and Perseverance" Omar Keith is survived by his wife Patricia Westveer, sister Harriet Smith, children: Karrie (John) Guarnaccia, Kathryn Helferich, Kimberly Helferich, and Omar Kirk (Jeannine) Helferich; step-children: Lorna (Paul) Vander Sluis, Michael (Bobbi) Kuyers, and Gina (David) Kuyers; grandchildren: Angela, Andrew (Megan), Anthony (Andrea), Alyssa (Chris), Aaron (Catie), Autumn, Chelsea, Chad, Naomi, Ellie, and Kayla; and step-grandchildren: Grace (Asa), Jack (Jenny), Madeline, Calvin (Tantzi), Michal (Matthew), Margot, Elliot, Peter, Gwyneth, Juliana, Alyssa, and Danielle. He was also blessed with nineteen great grandchildren. Omar was preceded in death by his sister Joyce Clark. While at Utica High school, Omar earned varsity letters in football, baseball, and basketball and developed a love for music as a member of the band. Omar Keith attended the University of Michigan graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, and Civil Environmental Engineering. Upon graduation in 1959 he was commissioned as a 2nd LT in the US Army Artillery Air Defense Missile program. Omar served one tour and then was in the active reserve through 1970 with an honorable discharge as a Captain. It was during this time that Omar was a nuclear radiation safety engineer for the US Atomic Energy Commission at Brookhaven National, and the Lawrence Radiation Lab; Coordinator of nuclear safety for the US nuclear burst testing program in the1960's, and Westinghouse Atomic Power as a nuclear plant safety engineer. Omar Keith obtained an MBA from the University of Michigan in 1966 and Doctorate in business and supply chain management from Michigan State University in 1970. Upon graduation Omar became a supply chain consultant for Systems Research Inc. of Lansing, Michigan; then a partner with Cleveland Consulting Associates. In the 1980s Omar became CEO of Dialog Systems Inc. of East Lansing, Michigan, VP of AT Kearney Consultants, the Director of the MSU Supply Chain Outreach Program until 1998, and eventually VP of Integrated Strategies, Inc. an Okemos, Michigan based management consulting firm. From 2004 through 2017 Omar served as a professor for Central Michigan University, College of Business teaching, and conducting humanitarian projects. During this time, Omar devoted time as an American Red Cross disaster volunteer serving in leadership positions at the State and National Level. His disaster leadership assignments included the Mississippi Floods in the 1990s, Oklahoma Bombing in 1995, 9/11 World Trade Center - 2001, and hurricane events Katrina, and Ike. In retirement He continued his volunteer work to improve clean water and sanitation projects through Rotary International and Water@Work Ministry, working to ensure sustainable solutions to improve health, and poverty levels in Honduras, Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Omar took pride in organizing family gatherings, his favorite being an annual weeklong family vacation along the shores of Lake Michigan. Omar truly enjoyed ballroom dancing with his wife, Patricia, and counted amongst his favorite hobbies, sailing and racing his sailboat on Lake Michigan, earning top honors in many yacht races. The family will greet guests on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 10:00 - 11:45 a.m. at Neland Church, 940 Neland Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507. A celebration of Omar's life will follow, and begin at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Omar has requested that contributions be made to the Kentwood Rotary Club or the Neland Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
Dr. Helferich was the distinction and class of any room in which he presided. I had the good fortune of getting to know him during my days at MSU and that connection continued through the decades of Supply Chain Leaders in Action engagement, where he was instrumental in encouraging industry leaders to leverage their skills and influence for the greater good. Keith will be missed immensely, but his legacy lives on. Reply
Dr. Helferich was an amazing colleague and made a distinct difference in the lives of Central Michigan University students and faculty. Dr. Helferich cared about the human condition and his life of service to others is a wonderful legacy. Until we meet again my friend…. Reply
Age 93, of St. Johns, MI, passed away April 6, 2024. She was born November 30, 1930, in Petoskey, MI, to the late James and Neva Griffin.
Orpha was a loving mother, grandmother, and wife. She worked at Lansing General as a lab technician for close to 20 years. She will be missed.
She is survived by 3 children, Peter (Karen) Vanderlin, Shirley (John) Betts, and Mykul Johnson; 5 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy "Jim" Lance; her first husband, Peter Vanderlin; and her former spouse, Alvin Johnson.
Ray, age 79, of Lansing, MI, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 30, 2024. He was born February 9, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Raymond Chester and Lillian Ruth (Garrison) Blinn.
Ray grew up in Akron, OH, and was made a child of God at his baptism on June 3, 1945, at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Akron. After graduating in 1963 from Kenmore High School, he enlisted in the Army (Security Agency), serving in Indochina, Okinawa, and Korea.
Ray had been employed at Troutman's Department Store in Butler, PA. He was a nursing home administrator in Michigan for many years, until his retirement in 2007. After retirement, Ray worked for Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes as a funeral service assistant.
He married Darlene Atkinson on August 29, 1987. They were members of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansing for the past 36 years. Spending time with his wife, family and friends, were his greatest passions.
Ray is survived by his loving wife, Darlene Blinn; 2 stepsons, Eric McClelland and his wife, Lisa Swager, of Sykesville, MD, and Deron McClelland and his wife, Becky, of Clinton, MI; 13 much-loved grandchildren, Rob (Kelsey Simmons) McClelland of Butler, PA, Emmaleigh (Dylan) Pounders, Ethan (Kellie), Olivia (John Traeger), Ivy, Anders, Addison, Ezra, Erin, Alistair, Ezekial, Avonlea, and Eden McClelland of Clinton, MI; 2 great-grandchildren, Elijah and Desirae; brothers, Fred "Fritz" Blinn of Greenwood, IN and Steve (Jo) Blinn of Tallmadge, OH; sister, Nancy Douglas of Hixson, TN; his aunt; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins.
Ray, you've been an amazing friend for so long……you and Darlene. I will surely miss you and your calm, kind demeanor. Thank you for being so kind to Lucas when we were all in choir. He thought of you as an adopted uncle. Our loss is heaven's gain. See you again, my friend.
Ray was a remarkable friend, even closer to me than any brother ever could be, So many wonderful memories of all our times worshiping, singing in choir, fellowship at Zion. All the camping trips together with him and Darlene, All the ball tournaments that they both traveled with us to & Ray was part of our team as he took photos at all and everone on the team felt he was a team mate, All our conversations about sports, Ray was a teriffic fan of all. I could always count on him to be there for me. I could go on & on. I am so sad to lose a such a close and special friend but also rejoicing at the same time as Ray is now with our Lord Jesus and that one day we will be together again.
Job Titles:
- Co - Owner
- Funeral Director
Steve has lived in Lansing and Holt most of his life. After graduating from Holt High School in 1982, he attended Lansing Community College, during which time he served his apprenticeship at the Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes. After graduating from Mortuary College in Miami, Florida, he worked at Langeland Funeral Homes in Kalamazoo. In 1990, he accepted a funeral director position at Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes, where he has worked since that time. In 2007, he and Jeremy Gough took advantage of an opportunity to purchase the funeral homes. Steve is a member of the Holt Kiwanis Club, and enjoys fitness and traveling. He and his wife, Elaine, live in Dimondale, with their two dogs, Klink (a German Shepherd) and Truffles (a French Bulldog).
On May 22, 1933, he was born in Lewisport, Kentucky, the son of the late Benson Eugene Howard and Willie Ellen Cooper.
On November 4, 1976, he married Jacquelyn May Schlosser Vowels at the Little Church of The West in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together, they shared 47 years of marriage.
Survivors include: wife, Jacquelyn Howard; sons, Darrin (Becky) Howard, and Eric (Karen) Howard; daughter, Amy (Dennis); and sister, Barbara Delong. Grandchildren, Amber Hendricks, Jalene Howard, Riley Howard, Mitchell (Jennifer) Teachout, Victoria Teachout, and Jaimie (Chad ) Albert. Great-grandchildren, Vaeda, Austin, Christopher, Charlie, Justin, Stephanie and Brandon, with two more on the way.
He was preceded in death by His parents, Benson and Willie Howard; and his brother, Paul "Dewey" Howard.
After Vernon's time in the Army, he worked in the life insurance world. Working at a few smaller agencies, he spent most of his career at Gleaner Life Insurance Company as a Vice President of his underwriting division, retiring in 1994.
He was a devoted Christian who worshiped at the Holt United Methodist Church.
Born in Kentucky, he moved to Holt, Michigan, where he grew up. He spent much of his adult life in Adrian, raising his kids. After he retired, he moved to East Lansing and spent his winter months between East Lansing and Clearwater, Florida.
Vernon loved golf, fishing, bowling, spending time with his family, and having O-B-Joyfuls with his friends. He loved playing cards and laughed as much as he could.
His proudest achievements were bowling a 300, having five hole-in-ones during golf, serving in the Korean War, and being a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle.
Vernon was always smiling. He loved life, his family, and everyone he had a chance to be friends with. He was the most loving, caring human being anyone had the honor of meeting. We will miss you every day.