Lavona May Ingersoll

Lavona May Ingersoll, 94, of Fife Lake, passed away Friday, May 24, 2013 at her home. Lavona was born on October 9, 1918 in Battle Creek to the lake Orley Roscoe and Viola (Gallihugh) Walling. On July 13, 1940 in Fife Lake, she was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Manley Ingersoll of Fife Lake. After 70 devoted years of marriage, Lavona lost that very special person in her life on February 13, 2011. As a youngster, Lavona lived in many areas in the Northern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, which enabled her to meet a lot of people wherever the family dwelled. However, when very small she lived with her parents and family in Ohio for a brief period of time. Lavona was the eldest child from a large family and helped raise some of her siblings as if they were her own. She loved children. Lavona had a love for music that was passed on down to her from her mother. Lavona used to rock her younger brothers and sisters and sing to them. She later continued that practice with her own children. Her sisters and brothers were also musical. Lavona also lived in the Pioneer area outside of Lake City. She attended grade school with a lot of her late husband’s family – the Helsel’s. She played music with some of them. Before Lavona got married she used to babysit for various families in the Cadillac area. Lavona was a homemaker, but worked several seasons at the former Mallow’s Restaurant in Kalkaska during the early 1960’s. Lavona liked to draw. Lavona also enjoyed playing hymns and gospel songs on her harmonica, which she sometimes did at the Fife Lake Baptist Church, the church that she attended since the late 1950’s and where she later became a member. Lavona was a kind, gentle, and cheerful person, always smiling and laughing, a wonderful Christian mother who loved her family dearly, and will be greatly missed. Lavona appreciated how her grandson Tom helped her late husband Robert and herself with various tasks. Preceding Lavona in death was an infant son Martin; brothers Orman “Buckie” Walling, George Walling, Julius Walling, Ward Walling, Nicholas Walling, and William “Billie” Walling; sisters June Walling and Hilda Ebert; and her grandson Troy. Lavona has left to join Jesus, her late husband Robert, and other believers in heaven. Lavona is survived by her children; Wendel of Avoca, Bob (Dana) Ingersoll, Keith (Sharon) Ingersoll, and Cheryl Ingersoll, all of Fife Lake. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Thomas Ingersoll, Roger Ingersoll, Ronnie (Patti) Ingersoll, Amy (Dereck) Hanson, all of Fife Lake, Dawn (Brian) Berg of Kalkaska, Lisa (George) Dove of Emmett, and Wendy Fryer of Lakeland, FL.; numerous great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Lavona is also survived by her sisters Marion Knotts of Battle Creek and Clarabelle Lester of Plainwell. A funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 29th at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Kalkaska Funeral Home (152 S. Cedar St.) with Pastor Bruce Van Dussen of Fife Lake Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to service beginning at 11:00 AM. Lavona will be laid to rest in the Ingersoll Cemetery in Springfield Township, Kalkaska County. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Fife Lake Baptist Church or to Heartland Hospice. Please share a memory or your condolences on Lavona’s online guestbook at www.kalkaskafuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Lavona May Ingersoll

October 9, 1918 - May 24, 2013