LaVern, 86, a long-time resident of Lansing, Michigan passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday, August 13, 2015 at his home, with his loving and devoted family around him.
He was born to Ernest and Bethel Stover.
He was proud to serve his country with the U.S. Navy in World War II. Whitey graduated from Western Michigan University. He was a very loving father; and loving husband to Sofie for 64 years, who was by his bedside when he went to meet the Lord. Whitey is also survived by his 8 children: Patricia Stover of Lansing; Vivian "Nita" (Dr. Richard) Mitchell, of Phoenix, AZ; Linda Stover, of Phoenix, AZ; Gloria (Roy) Heckman, of Pensacola; FL, Robbie (Andy) Smith, of Lansing; Michael (Crystal) Stover, of Lansing; Raymond (Susan) Stover, of Lansing; and Mary (Jack) Blair, of Lansing. Whitey also leaves behind 8 grandchildren; Dustin Heckman, of Pensacola; Jordan Smith, of Chicago; AJ Smith, of Lansing; Kelsey Smith, of Lansing; Devon Rae Stover, of Clayton NC; Jackson Blair, of Lansing; Braxton and Mariesa Stover, of Lansing. Whitey also has 2 great grandchildren, Haidon Heckman, of Pensacola and Maya Ganaway of Tupelo, MS. Whitey is survived by 1 sister, Donna Buchin, of Suitland, MD. Whitey was loved by his nieces and nephews and was always available. Whitey was an especially attentive surrogate father and dear friend to his sons-in-law, Andy Smith and Jack Blair.
Whitey was a fun-loving man who enjoyed 'growing up' with his children. He loved to travel and was known to pack the family in the car and drive cross country, allowing them to visit each of the lower 48 states. He took the time and patience to teach each of his children how to drive a stick shift vehicle amid stalls, jerks and laughter.
Whitey was passionate about his spirituality and worked hard to raise his children in the Catholic faith. He was the strong and loving patriarch of his family and was a faithful servant of God. Whitey adored his family and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments.
We will miss Whitey very much but will always be grateful for our time with him and cherish the memories of our adoring husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, brother and friend.
The family would like to thank the staff of Southern Care Hospice for their wonderful care.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 17 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Lansing, MI There was a private burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in LaVern's honor to Immaculate Heart of Mary Building Fund.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing, MI.
He was born to Ernest and Bethel Stover.
He was proud to serve his country with the U.S. Navy in World War II. Whitey graduated from Western Michigan University. He was a very loving father; and loving husband to Sofie for 64 years, who was by his bedside when he went to meet the Lord. Whitey is also survived by his 8 children: Patricia Stover of Lansing; Vivian "Nita" (Dr. Richard) Mitchell, of Phoenix, AZ; Linda Stover, of Phoenix, AZ; Gloria (Roy) Heckman, of Pensacola; FL, Robbie (Andy) Smith, of Lansing; Michael (Crystal) Stover, of Lansing; Raymond (Susan) Stover, of Lansing; and Mary (Jack) Blair, of Lansing. Whitey also leaves behind 8 grandchildren; Dustin Heckman, of Pensacola; Jordan Smith, of Chicago; AJ Smith, of Lansing; Kelsey Smith, of Lansing; Devon Rae Stover, of Clayton NC; Jackson Blair, of Lansing; Braxton and Mariesa Stover, of Lansing. Whitey also has 2 great grandchildren, Haidon Heckman, of Pensacola and Maya Ganaway of Tupelo, MS. Whitey is survived by 1 sister, Donna Buchin, of Suitland, MD. Whitey was loved by his nieces and nephews and was always available. Whitey was an especially attentive surrogate father and dear friend to his sons-in-law, Andy Smith and Jack Blair.
Whitey was a fun-loving man who enjoyed 'growing up' with his children. He loved to travel and was known to pack the family in the car and drive cross country, allowing them to visit each of the lower 48 states. He took the time and patience to teach each of his children how to drive a stick shift vehicle amid stalls, jerks and laughter.
Whitey was passionate about his spirituality and worked hard to raise his children in the Catholic faith. He was the strong and loving patriarch of his family and was a faithful servant of God. Whitey adored his family and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments.
We will miss Whitey very much but will always be grateful for our time with him and cherish the memories of our adoring husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, brother and friend.
The family would like to thank the staff of Southern Care Hospice for their wonderful care.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 17 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Lansing, MI There was a private burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in LaVern's honor to Immaculate Heart of Mary Building Fund.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing, MI.
LaVern, 86, a long-time resident of Lansing, Michigan passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday, August 13, 2015 at his home, with his loving and devoted family around him.
He was born to Ernest and Bethel Stover.
He was proud to serve his country with the U.S. Navy in World War II. Whitey graduated from Western Michigan University. He was a very loving father; and loving husband to Sofie for 64 years, who was by his bedside when he went to meet the Lord. Whitey is also survived by his 8 children: Patricia Stover of Lansing; Vivian "Nita" (Dr. Richard) Mitchell, of Phoenix, AZ; Linda Stover, of Phoenix, AZ; Gloria (Roy) Heckman, of Pensacola; FL, Robbie (Andy) Smith, of Lansing; Michael (Crystal) Stover, of Lansing; Raymond (Susan) Stover, of Lansing; and Mary (Jack) Blair, of Lansing. Whitey also leaves behind 8 grandchildren; Dustin Heckman, of Pensacola; Jordan Smith, of Chicago; AJ Smith, of Lansing; Kelsey Smith, of Lansing; Devon Rae Stover, of Clayton NC; Jackson Blair, of Lansing; Braxton and Mariesa Stover, of Lansing. Whitey also has 2 great grandchildren, Haidon Heckman, of Pensacola and Maya Ganaway of Tupelo, MS. Whitey is survived by 1 sister, Donna Buchin, of Suitland, MD. Whitey was loved by his nieces and nephews and was always available. Whitey was an especially attentive surrogate father and dear friend to his sons-in-law, Andy Smith and Jack Blair.
Whitey was a fun-loving man who enjoyed 'growing up' with his children. He loved to travel and was known to pack the family in the car and drive cross country, allowing them to visit each of the lower 48 states. He took the time and patience to teach each of his children how to drive a stick shift vehicle amid stalls, jerks and laughter.
Whitey was passionate about his spirituality and worked hard to raise his children in the Catholic faith. He was the strong and loving patriarch of his family and was a faithful servant of God. Whitey adored his family and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments.
We will miss Whitey very much but will always be grateful for our time with him and cherish the memories of our adoring husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, brother and friend.
The family would like to thank the staff of Southern Care Hospice for their wonderful care.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 17 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Lansing, MI There was a private burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in LaVern's honor to Immaculate Heart of Mary Building Fund.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing, MI.
He was born to Ernest and Bethel Stover.
He was proud to serve his country with the U.S. Navy in World War II. Whitey graduated from Western Michigan University. He was a very loving father; and loving husband to Sofie for 64 years, who was by his bedside when he went to meet the Lord. Whitey is also survived by his 8 children: Patricia Stover of Lansing; Vivian "Nita" (Dr. Richard) Mitchell, of Phoenix, AZ; Linda Stover, of Phoenix, AZ; Gloria (Roy) Heckman, of Pensacola; FL, Robbie (Andy) Smith, of Lansing; Michael (Crystal) Stover, of Lansing; Raymond (Susan) Stover, of Lansing; and Mary (Jack) Blair, of Lansing. Whitey also leaves behind 8 grandchildren; Dustin Heckman, of Pensacola; Jordan Smith, of Chicago; AJ Smith, of Lansing; Kelsey Smith, of Lansing; Devon Rae Stover, of Clayton NC; Jackson Blair, of Lansing; Braxton and Mariesa Stover, of Lansing. Whitey also has 2 great grandchildren, Haidon Heckman, of Pensacola and Maya Ganaway of Tupelo, MS. Whitey is survived by 1 sister, Donna Buchin, of Suitland, MD. Whitey was loved by his nieces and nephews and was always available. Whitey was an especially attentive surrogate father and dear friend to his sons-in-law, Andy Smith and Jack Blair.
Whitey was a fun-loving man who enjoyed 'growing up' with his children. He loved to travel and was known to pack the family in the car and drive cross country, allowing them to visit each of the lower 48 states. He took the time and patience to teach each of his children how to drive a stick shift vehicle amid stalls, jerks and laughter.
Whitey was passionate about his spirituality and worked hard to raise his children in the Catholic faith. He was the strong and loving patriarch of his family and was a faithful servant of God. Whitey adored his family and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments.
We will miss Whitey very much but will always be grateful for our time with him and cherish the memories of our adoring husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, brother and friend.
The family would like to thank the staff of Southern Care Hospice for their wonderful care.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 17 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Lansing, MI There was a private burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in LaVern's honor to Immaculate Heart of Mary Building Fund.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing, MI.
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