Doris Eleanor Blanchette's Obituary
Doris Eleanor Blanchette, age 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 15, 2025. She was born on November 22, 1928, in Muskegon to George Ivan and Freda (Stone) Corpe and was a lifelong resident. The Corpe family heritage includes the Daughters of the American Revolution. Doris attended Muskegon Heights schools where she cheered on her classmates as a cheerleader. Following WWII, Doris met Wayne Blanchette who just returned from serving in the U. S. Navy aboard the USS Columbus. On his first night home, Doris met Wayne at Curvecrest Roller Rink, and she was so impressed by his fancy footwork that they dated ever since until they married on June 21, 1947. The two stayed skating together for 63 years until Wayne’s death on October 25, 2010. Doris and Wayne’s passion was to serve God through their church, Muskegon Heights Gospel Tabernacle. They had many wonderful memories serving as youth leaders of the Tabernacle’s, Harbor Teens. After many years of volunteering, Doris was asked to join the staff of the Rescue Mission at the age of 50. She was instrumental in creating the Women and Children’s Homeless Shelter Program and retired in 2008 at the age of 80 after serving the mission for 50 years. Doris also participated in the Mission’s Women’s Auxiliary & Food Pantry, while remaining supportive of Christian & Missionary Alliance Churches and in later years attended Family Bible Church. Doris’ life was full as she remained active in ICWC’s (In Christ We Concur), a charter member of Mona Shores Band Parents, and the Boy Scouts of America Troop #53. Doris and Wayne’s heart was to offer an “open-door” approach to their August Road home as they hosted missionaries and provided meals for ministries.
Doris’ interests included cooking, canning and baking, writing poetry and short stories, fashionable Sunday hats, gifting festive Christmas fudge, gigantic oatmeal cookies, and homemade popcorn balls.
Doris gave many women an accurate biblical picture of a Proverbs 31 woman.
Survivors include her children, Sandra Hammers, Nancy (Daniel) Smith, Randall (Marlene) Blanchette, Jane (Mark) Anderson and Gregory (Sharon) Blanchette; son-in-law, Thomas Eikenberry; 11 grandchildren, Melissa Hammers, Stephanie (Earl) Fugate, Jeffrey (Julissa) Eikenberry, Scott (Janel) Eikenberry, Anissa (David) Vryhof, Kevin (Kristen) Smith, April (Rick) Snell, Melody Blanchette, Rachelle (Matthew) Rose, Nathaniel Anderson and Matthew Anderson; 11 great-grandchildren: Araceli, Bricio, Sarah, Jovi, Kaydynce, Zachary, Jordan, Hunter, McKai, Colton and Anders; one sister, Janet Burrous-Priest; and one brother-in-law, Bill Blanchette. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Blanchette; daughter, Susan Eikenberry; son-in-law, Rev. David Hammers; grandson, Kenneth Smith; two brothers, Garth and Lyle Corpe; brother-in-law, Donald Burrous; and two sisters-in-law, Gloria and Ann Corpe. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 30, 2025, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444, with a visitation one-hour prior to the service. Interment will take place at Norton Cemetery. Services will be officiated by Rev. Randall Blanchette and Rev. Daniel Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Cedar Creek Alliance Chapel, 7193 Sweeter Rd., Twin Lake, MI 49457. Sign the online guestbook at https://www.sytsemafh.com.
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