Delores Mae Lavier

Delores Mae LaVier was born to Joe and Leota (Burkett) Palmateer on March 1st, 1931. She was the eldest of four children. Mom attended Midland Public Schools graduating in 1949. She worked the lunch counter at Cunninghams prior to marrying Virgil LaVier on May 27, 1950. Their union produced six children, Michelle, Rick, Virgil II, Steven, Wendy and Kelly. The family lived on Sanford Lake for 10 years prior to moving to Hope. In Sanford as well as Hope mom made many lifelong friends. Mom loved and was loved. Her love was unconditional. She was a talented woman who was an excellent cook, and baker. She and Dad had a big garden and many fruit trees and grapevines. Mom was skilled at canning the fruits of their bounty. She raised her family with a little money, A little common sense, a little humor, a little backhand and a lot of love. She possessed a beautiful Singing voice and there was always music in the house unless her beloved Detroit Tigers were playing, then every television and radio in the house would be blaring with the game. You never had to wonder What to say to Mom because she did all the talking. Mom loved to decorate her home for every Season and her clothes had to match her shoes resulting in over thirty pair. She took up knitting and created many treasures for her family including afghans, pillows, Christmas stockings and Beautiful, intricate sweaters. While in her 60's she began painting and created a beautiful work of art for Each of her children. Mom had a large collection of owls which she displayed around her home. In her later years she loved to feed the birds and sit on her porch watching them. She was a member of Eagle Ridge Church of God. She volunteered at Midland Public Schools packing lunches for the Back Pack Buddy program.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her children, Michelle (Gary) Suppes, Rick (Peggy) LaVier Steven LaVier, Wendy (Tim) Miles and Kelly (lora) LaVier. Grandchildren, Shelly (Suppes) Douglas, Scott Suppes, Katie LaVier, Keturah (LaVier) Shooltz, Tracy (Sweetman) Shupick, Virgil LaVier III, Sarah (LaVier) Fath, Kendra LaVier, Jade Miles, Hillary Miles, Kimberly Miles, Alicia LaVier, Adam LaVier and Erin LaVier. 22 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Mom is survived by her sisters, Yvonne Dyer, Joan Maxwell, and brother Joe Palmateer. Preceding Mom in death were her parents, Joe and Leota Palmateer, husband Virgil LaVier; son, Virgil II; grandsons, Eric Perry and Kevin LaVier; great grandson, Ezra LaVier, special friend, Joyce Taister and her cat Mandy.

The funeral service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Eagle Ridge Church of God. Visitation will be at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home on Friday from 4 – 7 pm and on Saturday at the church from 12 pm until the time of service. Private burial will be in New Hope Twp cemetery next to her husband. Personal messages of condolence maybe offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com. The family would like to thank Stratford Pines and First State Hospice for the wonderful care they provided for Delores and her family. Memorial contributions may be offered to the Humane Society of Midland County.

Humane Society of Midland County
PO Box 1034, Midland MI 48641
Web: http://www.hsomc.org