Constance Jill "Connie" Lyons

In the early morning hours of February 10th, 2026 our sweet grandma, mom, sister, and friend to all, Constance Jill Lyons, went to go play endless card games with her beloved husband, Mike.

Connie was born to Melvin and Mildred (Matteson) Meyle in Portage, MI on March 20, 1944. Connie grew up fishing, swimming, and enjoying life out on West Lake in Portage. Connie and her siblings enjoyed spending the winters ice skating out on the lake. She learned how to be a tough woman by playing sports with her brother and the boys in the neighborhood.

She graduated high school in 1962 from Portage High School. She then attended a few classes at Western Michigan University, but eventually met the love of her life of 56 years, Mike Lyons. They got married in 1964, adopted two boys, Tom and John and built a cottage from the ground up in Glenn, MI. In 1977, they bought a fruit farm and the rest is history! They grew many fruits consisting of peaches, apples, sweet cherries, pears, raspberries, and plums, and enjoyed driving to Chicago to sell their produce. They loved to host parties on the farm and never missed an opportunity to bake for their friends and family!

Connie enjoyed being a grandma, farming, baking, gardening her flower beds, picking raspberries, playing and teaching card games with anyone and everyone, swimming, golfing, bowling, going to music in the park, shopping, traveling, dancing, and above all - loved being in good company. If you knew Connie you knew that she never stayed bored, and was very active until her last day. She never said no to an invitation to go out to eat! She enjoyed her weekly routine at home with her girlfriends consisting of bridge, golf, bowling, and more cards. She was well traveled and saw so much of the world with her friends and family, which she enjoyed greatly! Connie was really looking forward to her next adventure, Alaska, with her granddaughter Grace.

In their later years after retiring from farming, Connie and Mike fell in love with the Gulf Shores, AL and Perdido Key, FL areas during the wintertime. For 25 years they made the road trip down, and here is where they made many long lasting friendships who have now turned into family!

On Friday, February 6th, Connie had a very full, wonderful, picture perfect last day doing what she loved most with some of her best friends (the golden girls). They went shopping, played a couple games of cards, and ended the day with her snowbird friends at their weekly Friday night potluck. At potluck, Connie had suffered a cardiac arrest and was flown to nearby Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, FL. Connie passed away peacefully and comfortably a couple days later on hospice with family at bedside.

Preceded in death by her father Melvin Meyle, mother Mildred Meyle, brother David (Geri) Meyle, and husband Michael Lyons.

She is survived by her sister Judy (Chuck) Moden, sister Janice (Doug) Murray, son Thomas (Kelly) Lyons, son John (Daniella) Lyons, numerous nieces and nephews, and her five granddaughters - Alexandra, Frances, Grace, Sarah, and Stella.

A Visitation will take place on Monday, February 23, 2026 from 10am-1pm at Filbrandt Chapel, 1076 S. Bailey Ave South Haven, MI with a burial to follow for the family. A celebration of life will be held later in the springtime.

Connie was 81 years old.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Senior Services of Van Buren County in South Haven, MI.