Lawrence B. Lapland

Lawrence B. "Larry" Lapland, 77, of Marshall, died on Friday, June 28, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family. Larry was born May 27, 1936, in Traverse City to Lyle William and Emma Marie (Lassa) Lapland. He grew up in Traverse City and attended Traverse City schools until the age of 15 when he moved to Marshall to live with his sister and brother-in-law Leona and Glen Waidelich. After moving to Marshall, Larry attended Marshall High School where he took a job cleaning classrooms after school to earn money to help his family. When he was 17 years old his father became ill and Larry worked at the Marshall Bowling Alley setting pins (with brother-in-law Glen's Help) to earn enough money to bring his parents to Marshall from Traverse City. On September 29, 1954, he started his career at Eaton's in Marshall. Larry worked several jobs at a time to make his living and care for his family over the years. He worked for McNeal Trailer Sales and at the same time ran his own trailer repair business. He was active in his community. Larry served as a Fredonia Firefighter from 1967 until 1971 when he was elected Fredonia Township Supervisor. In 1974, he chose not to run for re-election but township residents wrote him into office for another term anyway! At Eaton's Plant on Hanover Street Larry was a machine operator and then truck driver. In 1982, he took a position at the Eaton Proving Grounds where he built pump prototypes. He was a member of the UAW Local #220 and he served as Union Steward. He retired from Eaton's on May 1, 1987. Larry met Myona D. Bushong in 1955. He was smitten and waited patiently until her 16th birthday in March of 1956 to finally take her on a date (her father's rules!). On August 25, 1956, the couple were united in marriage at the Waidelich home on South Marshall Avenue by Reverend George Murphy of the West Eckford Missionary Church. Reverend Murphy told Larry and Myona the marriage would never last. At this point the family has concluded he was wrong! Larry has been blessed with a long and fruitful marriage to Myona. They lovingly raised their family together and that love has been returned many times by children and grandchildren. His grandchildren call him "The Energizer Bunny" due to his seemingly endless ability to always keep on going! Larry enjoyed traveling with Myona in their motor home. For 25 years they fished together on Lake Michigan off of South Haven where they camped and made many friends. They enjoyed snowmobiling together. Larry is survived by his beloved family, his wife Myona, their three daughters Karen Cypret of Marshall, Cindy (Todd) Calvin of Wolcottville, Indiana, Barbara (Nick) Young of Marshall, their two sons Brian (Velvet) Lapland of Tekonsha, Ronald (Laura) Lapland of Coldwater, 14 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters Patricia Yost of Nashville, Joan Ames of Lansing, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Larry, his two sisters Leona Waidelich and Dorothy Yingling. Friends may call at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home, 723 US 27 North, Marshall, on Tuesday, July 2, from 2PM-8pm with family present to greet friends from 2PM-4pm and 6PM-8pm. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home with his granddaughter Reverend Cori Lynn Cypret officiating. Interment will follow at Oakridge Cemetery. Family will gather with friends at the Fredonia Township Hall following the committal services. The family would like friends to honor Larry's memory with a memorial contribution to Oaklawn Hospice. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Funeral Home.