Sandra Kay "Sandi" Place, age 73, of Olivet, died on Saturday September 8, 2018 at Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services.
Sandi was born on November 27, 1944 in Marshall to Howard and Betty (Miller) Faulkner. When Sandi was 6 years old she lost her parents when they were killed in an auto accident. From that time on, she was lovingly raised by her grandparents, Harry and Esther (Rapp) Miller, and her aunts Mary Lou, Shirley, Darlene, Dorothy, Marian, Margaret, Mildred, and uncles Harry, Robert and Laverne Miller.
She graduated from high school and went on to the Hurley School of Nursing , graduating as a Registered Nurse. Sandi then attended MSU and graduated with her BSN degree.
She was married to Merlyn D. Place on September 18, 1966. The couple have made their home in Olivet since then.
She worked at the Battle Creek Veterans' Administration Hospital for many years, retiring from there as a nursing supervisor in 1999. Sandi then taught nursing at Kalamazoo Valley Community College for 15 years, retiring in March of 2014.
Sandi was a member of the Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered at Oaklawn. She was a member of the Ella M. Brown Charitable Circle. For a number of years she enjoyed volunteering at the Marshall Historical Home Tour for the Marshall Historical Society.
She crocheted hundreds of baby afghans to give to mothers for their first baby. Her family have all benefited from her talent, with many afghans and blankets placed in family homes. She was beloved by her family and was a loving influence on their many lives.
Surviving are her husband Merlyn; daughter Amy (Michael) Gancasz of Royersford, PA and son Brian (Stacey) Place of Charlotte; 4 grandchildren Tom Moran, McKenna Kay Place, Nolan Gancasz and Riley Gancasz; her aunts, Shirley (Jack) Lawler of Marshall, and Darlene Coats and Dorothy Stults both of Olivet; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, her uncles Harry, Robert and Laverne Miller, and her aunts Mary Lou Duckham, Marian Heisler, Margaret Miller and Mildred Foote.
The family will greet friends on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 5PM to 8PM at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US HWY 27 North.
Funeral services to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 11AM with Rev. Jack Brown officiating.
Cremation will follow services with committal later in Bosworth Cemetery, Olivet.
A reception for family and friends will immediately follow the services in Kempf's Reception Hall at the funeral home.
The family suggests donations to The Battle Buddy Foundation, 8859 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester, Ohio ( tbbf.org ) .
Visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to leave a message for the family.
Visitation
SEP
11.
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EDT)
Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services
723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
Celebration of Life
SEP
12.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)
Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services
723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
Luncheon Immediately Following Services
SEP
12.
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
Kempf Family Reception Hall, Marshall Chapel
723 US HWY 27 N.
Marshall, MI, 49068