LaWilda Joyce (Esh) Maki Phillips' Obituary
Mrs. LaWilda Joyce (Esh) Maki Phillips, age 92, passed away peacefully at her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. She was born in Muskegon, Michigan on April 11, 1932 to Ernest and Laura (Betts) Esh. LaWilda graduated from Muskegon Business College and was employed by Pointe Marine, Northside Hardware, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church prior to her retirement in 1992. LaWilda was a member of Fruitland Covenant Church, Fruitland Covenant Woman’s Group, VFW Auxiliary, and the Cooties Auxiliary. She enjoyed reading, knitting, and crocheting, but her greatest love was her children and family. On May 8, 1951, LaWilda married Uno Maki in Muskegon and they enjoyed 64 years of marriage. They spent many happy winters after retirement traveling from sea to sea with their camper. Three years after Uno passed away, LaWilda met Dewey Phillips and they were married on August 18, 2018. Although they only knew each other for 9 months prior to Dewey’s death in 2018, he brought LaWilda great joy. LaWilda is survived by her daughters, Sheryl Yourshaw, Brenda Maki, and Kathy (Jackie) Hayes; sons, Jeffery (Christine) Maki and Greggory (Virginia) Maki; 14 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Constance (John) Butwell. In addition to her two husbands, LaWilda was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Robert Yourshaw; sister, Violet Ross; and brothers, Ernest Esh and David Esh. A MEMORIAL SERVICE for LaWilda will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 15, 2024 at Fruitland Covenant Church (4283 N. Weber Rd., Whitehall, MI 49461). VISITATION with her family will be held one hour prior to her service. Burial will be in Fruitland Township Cemetery. You may sign her online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444.
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