Mina J. (Lawton) Garza

Mina J. (Lawton) Trine Garza entered into eternal rest with the Lord on Thursday, August 6, 2020, at her home in Marshall with her loving family at her side.
Mina was born in Detroit on June 8, 1944, to Edward J. and Ina (Phinn) Flewelling. The marriage ended in divorce and Mina's Mother then married William D. Lawton, at which time they relocated to Marshall. Mr. Lawton adopted Mina and she was blessed to have who she described as the "Best Dad Ever". Mina attended Central Elementary, Marshall Junior High and Marshall Senior High School. She graduated in 1962, with the honor of "Outstanding Business Education Student". Soon after graduation, Mina married Michael W. Trine and together they had three children; Michele Renee, Melanie Kaye, and Michael Todd.
She later married Timoteo S. Garza and moved to Brownsville, Texas, where she lived for 32 years until her retirement. Mina was employed by Calhoun County for 9 years, working for the County Clerk, the County Board of Commissioners and the County Department of Public Works, where she served as the Deputy Director. In September 2014, Mina retired from the Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville, where she served as Executive Secretary for 11 years. After her retirement, she returned to her beloved Marshall. Mina was well known for her proficiency in Office Management and, particularly, for her shorthand and typing skills. She most recently has been employed by the City of Marshall driving the Albion Marshall Connector.
Mina was a loving and devoted Mother and Grandmother and she was known by her friends and family as an excellent cook and was always making "goodies" to share. She had been active in the Calhoun County Legal Secretaries Assn, serving in several capacities, including President. She also served as President of the Association of Calhoun County Employees. Mina was an active member of Good Shepherd Community Church in Brownsville for many years and an active member of Crossroads Church and Ministries in Marshall.
Mina loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and she was an avid NASCAR fan. She loved drag racing and in years past she spent many Saturday nights competing at Onondaga Raceway and she earned several trophies for her efforts. Mina was a two-time cancer survivor and bravely battled colon cancer in 2008 and 2016. She began her third battle with stage 4 metastatic peripancreatic cancer in 2018.
Mina is survived by her daughter Michele Renee Reyna of Louisiana, her adopted son Alfonso Gregory "Greg" Garza (Adriana) of Marshall; her grandsons James M. Reyna of Brownsville, Texas, and Cody M. Gonzales of Harlingen, Texas; her brothers Timothy J. Lawton (Donna) of Big Rapids, Ml and Robert H. Lawton of Marshall, her sister-in-law Judy Dooley, dear friend Amber Vandenburg and several nieces and nephews. Mina was preceded in death by her daughter Melanie Kaye Gonzales, her son Michael Todd Trine, her husband Timoteo S. Garza, her first husband Michael W. Trine, her father William D. Lawton and her mother Ina Lawton Douglas.
Family will greet friends from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall MI, 49068. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 Old US Hwy 27 N Marshall MI 49068 with Pastor Blake Davis from Firm Foundation Ministers of Kalamazoo officiating. **Due to Covid 19 and the public gathering restrictions of our state, the visitation and service will be held outdoors. A viewing and gathering area will be set up near the rear entrance of the funeral home under the portico. Interment will follow at Oakridge Cemetery. Greg Garza, Cody Gonzales, Timothy Lawton, Robert Lawton, Josh Servis, and Paul Larose served as pall bearers. Memorial contributions are requested to the American Cancer Society, 129 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, (616) 364-6121, https://www.cancer.org/ or Erin's Angels Rescue, (517) 398-4177, https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2375984?fbclid=IwAR1VOdDjsJ2VB8cReqJf2oRfRr3lrX2rx8lCgVOM8wLYCjA98b3bRZMp2JA. For assistance with memorials contact the funeral home at 269-781-9858. Mina's funeral will be live streamed on her obituary page of the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Service website. https://www.kempffuneralhome.com ** The graveside committal service will be uploaded following the services. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at https://www.kempffuneralhome.com .