Laura Deacons

Mrs. Laura B. Gladding-Deacons, age 93, of Greenville, passed away Wednesday evening, May 13, 2009 at Spectrum Health United Memorial-United Hospital with her family at her side. The daughter of Guy & Ethel (Ward) Wright, she was born on July 15, 1915. For many years, Laura worked at the former Gibson Refrigerator Company and had also worked as a cook. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and crocheting. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Stanley Gladding and Edwin Deacons; an infant daughter, Betty Jane Gladding; a son, Bradley Gladding; a daughter, Darlena Olmstead; a daughter-in-law, Linda Gladding; a grandson, Richard Wayne Barnes; a brother, Jack Wright; and two sisters, Naomi Byrne and Dorothy Hulbert. Surviving are two daughters, Judy & Barry Bailey of Howard City, and Kay & Richard Barnes of Greenville; three sons, Jerry Gladding of Manistee, Tex Gladding of Cadillac, and Steve & Bev Gladding of Stanton; twenty-four grandchildren; and many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are four step-children and their families, Buddy & Linda Deacons, Yvonne & Joe Ottensman, Sharon Hammer, and Carol & Ray Hicks; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2009 at Shiloh Community Church, Orleans, with Pastor Ken Harger officiating. Visitation with the family is on Monday from 12-1 p.m. at the church and a luncheon will follow the ceremony. Instead of flowers, Laura would have appreciated contributions in her memory to the Activities Funds at either Spectrum Health United Memorial-Long Term Care Unit or Green Acres Retirement Living, or to Spectrum Health Hospice.