Ellis Richard Lavrack

Our beloved dad Ellis Richard Lavrack died peacefully on Sunday, January 5, 2020, his 89th birthday, in the Spring Arbor home which he and his wife built in 1966. Ellis is survived his daughter Rhonda (Randy) Davis, his son Kevin (Laurie) Lavrack, daughter-in-law Renée (Dan) Runyon. Ellis is also survived by six grandchildren: Amy Finneran, Ryan (Dana) Davis, Rory (Mary) Davis, David (Kristin) Lavrack Runyon, Kirby Runyon, and Caleb (Bethany) Runyon, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, brother Merlin (Marcia) Lavrack, brother-in-law Larry Durfee, and sister-in-law Maxine, numerous nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his college sweetheart and wife of 66 years, Mary, his son Kirk, his parents Charles and Lucille Lavrack, brothers Linford Lavrack, Lyle (Betty) Lavrack, Norman (Wanda) Lavrack, and his sister Verna Durfee.

Ellis graduated from Pinconning High School and from Central Michigan College, then obtained his Master’s Degree in Business Education from Michigan State University. Following his retirement from Consumers Energy, Ellis and Mary served for 11 years with Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service (RVICS), traveling the country using their hands and their minds to aid Christian non-profit organizations. Ellis and Mary moved to Fort Myers, FL, in 2001 to help care for their son following an auto accident and lived there until returning to Michigan in 2014. While in Florida, they volunteered in the office of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, aiding seniors to use in-home care rather than being admitted to nursing homes. Prior to debilitating strokes, Ellis enjoyed bouncing children on his knee, taking long walks with Mary, playing Rook and numerous word games, playing pool with Kevin, camping, fishing, and traveling to national parks. Ellis and Mary were long-time members of the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church, and he will be interred in the Spring Arbor Cemetery next to her and Kirk.

We will miss him terribly, but he saw this as a homecoming event and has been looking forward to it. He was a man of deepest love and devotion to faith and family, whom we saw laughing often, angered very rarely and dishonest never, even in the smallest matters. Ellis didn't have to tell us how we should live -- we just needed to watch. Thank you so much, our fine father and great friend. And give Mom a hug for us.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 17, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the pavilion in Harmony Park, Star Road, corner of Harmony Road in Spring Arbor, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Kirk Lavrack Memorial Scholarship Fund, Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers of Our Family Friend, LLC, who gave such tender and loving care to Ellis, and enriched each day with joy, laughter, and Christ’s presence.

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