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. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Laura Deacons, please visit our flower store.