Gladys "Dayle" Karel's Obituary
Gladys “Dayle” Karel, age 80, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and auntie, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 24, 2024. She was born August 29, 1943, in Muskegon to Clyde and Gladys (Boyden) Hollar and was a life-long resident of the area. On December 6, 1963, she married Henry Karel, Jr. at Westwood Reformed Church, and together they enjoyed 60 wonderful years of marriage. Dayle graduated from Muskegon High School in 1961 and earned a certificate from Muskegon Business College. She worked as a secretary at Ott Chemical, and later she worked as the secretary for Lakeside Baptist Church. In 1979, she and Henry bought Bob Moore Florist; in 1983, they bought Cooper Flower Shop, and it became Cooper-Moore Florist on Peck Street in Muskegon Heights. They enjoyed serving their community providing beautiful floral arrangements for over 27 years until they retired in 2006. After their retirement, they enjoyed volunteering as ushers at the Frauenthal Theatre and growing a large garden from which Dayle would can or freeze various fruits and vegetables and generously shared them. She loved to bake and cook, especially with her grandchildren. She sewed, did alterations, and was an avid quilter, often teaching others and sharing her amazing skills and creativity. She was a member of Olivet Evangelical Free Church since 1976, where she served as an offering counter for over 30 years. SURVIVORS include her husband Henry Karel, Jr., whom she lovingly cared for over the past 6 years after an ALS diagnosis; two children: Stephen (Debra) Karel and Jennifer (Vincent) Carlson, both of Muskegon; six grandchildren: Martha (Eddie) Messer, Lydia (Jeremy) Newton, Anna Sleeper, Simon (Elizabeth) Karel, Gordon Sleeper, and Samuel (girlfriend Christy Escobar) Karel; and three great-grandchildren: Makenna and Kylen Messer and James Newton, and another great-granddaughter due in December 2024; step-granddaughter, Jessica Gosselin; brother Samuel (Joan) Hollar and brother-in-law Paul (Kathy Messenger) Flickema; two nieces she was especially close with: Debi Swanson and Sandi Medema, as well as many other beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, and siblings: Winona (Mike) Ondra, Phyllis (Casey) Groeneveld, David (Evonne) Hollar, and Pamela Flickema. VISITATION will be 5:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, and 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 29, 2024, with the SERVICE on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Visitation and the service will be held at Olivet Evangelical Free Church, 6790 Harvey St, Spring Lake, MI 49456. She will be laid to rest at Restlawn Cemetery. MEMORIALS to Olivet Evangelical Free Church or the Susan Mast ALS Foundation will be appreciated. Share memories with the family at their online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100
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