Dorothy Leone Place's Obituary
Dorothy Leona (Sturtevant) Place age 86, of Ravenna died Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Day Springs Assisted Living in Muskegon.
“There are no strangers here, only friends you have not met as yet†- Yeats.
Dorothy was born on November 1, 1928 in Whitehall, MI to the late Frank and Aletha (Evans) Sturtevant. Her family moved to the Ravenna area when she was nine years old. She quickly grew to love her new hometown and the people. She graduated from Ravenna High School and raised a family with her husband Max Place, whom she married on June 12, 1947.
Dorothy was an avid walker and could often be seen taking a stroll to the library to bring home an armload of books. Dorothy worked for Rogers Printing Company for several years. An excellent seamstress and teacher, she was co-owner of the Stretch and Sew store in Grand Rapids.
As a life-long member of the Ravenna United Methodist Church, she enjoyed serving on several committees. Dorothy also volunteered with the Muskegon General Hospital Guild and ushered at the Frauenthal Theater.
A vivacious and positive person, Dorothy’s response to opportunities and challenges was always, “Yes!†She loved traveling, meeting people, and exploring other cultures. Her family hosted several students through the Youth for Understanding exchange program. Traveling with family members, she visited Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America and Hawaii. She enjoyed the warmth of winters spent in Florida with her beloved husband Max.
If you asked, she would tell you that her favorite times were spent surrounded by her family, especially if there was a game of cards involved. Her legacy of hospitality and delight in life is a gift to those she loved.
She is survived by two daughters, Maxine (Roger) Budzynski of Lansing, and Shirley Fahling of Casnovia, and two sons, Glenn (Claudia) Place of Sparta, and John (LuAnn) Place of Ravenna, ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, a sister Mary (Jack) Pettersch of Kansas, and three brothers: Pete (Jackie) Sturtevant) of Ravenna, Steve Sturtevant of Baldwin, and Arthur Sturtevant of Hesperia, and sister-in-law Mary DeWitt. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Max, grandson B.J. Place, brothers Frank and Jim Sturtevant, son-in-law John Fahling, and two sisters-in-law Bonnie Sturtevant and Florence Sturtevant.
Funeral Services for Dorothy L. Place will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 6:00 pm at the Ravenna United Methodist Church in Ravenna with Pastor Carl Black officiating. Burial will be in Ravenna Township Cemetery. The family will be at the Ravenna United Methodist Church on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm to receive friends. Memorials may be directed to: MARS of Ravenna or Ravenna Public Library.
The family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to Betty Cartier, Kathy Bensinger and the staff of Dayspring for their care and compassion.
Go to: www.throopfhravenna.com or Facebook @ Throop Funeral Home of Ravenna to sign the online guestbook. The Throop Funeral Home of Ravenna is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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