June Salyer

June Ann Salyer was an honest and devoted mother and grandmother and great grandmother. From her humble beginnings until her death, her devotion to family made her an exceptional person. In the year 1935, the world saw some of the toughest times recorded in recent history. America was in the heart of the depression and the rest of the world was on the verge of global war. However, in Detroit Michigan, Basil and Frances (Dirk) Waugh welcomed the birth of their daughter, June Ann, on October 31, 1935. June joined her siblings, Basil "Tucker", Waugh, Vivian, Fred, Harold, Millie and the youngest after June, "Bunny." When June was a young girl, her family moved to Petoskey, Michigan. June was not the typical "girlie" girl. She was quite a tomboy and would much rather be rough and tumble with the boys. She also liked to roller skate as a child. June attended Central Elementary School in Petoskey and graduated from Petoskey High School. On winter breaks from school, she would join her family in Lakeland, Florida where her father operated a fruit stand. After graduation, she met Don Detlaff. They dated for a while and eloped to Angola, IN. June's life changed dramatically after the birth of her daughters; Debra was born on April 29, 1955, Kimberly, on August 28, 1957, Bethany, on March 11, 1959 and Rebecca on April 3, 1961. June ran a daycare center for a while and then worked for the Phone Company as a telephone operator. In 1966, June and her girls moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where June found work as a payroll clerk at Beverly's (a ladies clothing store) and later as a payroll clerk for BDO Siedman Accounting Firm. June's world was soon revolved around her daughters, Debbie, Kim, Beth and Becki. She took immense pride in her daughters and it brought her great joy in watching them grow and succeed in life. Her daughters' remember the time she taught them how to identify wild trillium flowers and pick them (until they found out that they were a protected species); though the yellow rose would always remain her favorite. As the family grew to include grandchildren, June looked forward to the holidays with great anticipation to be surrounded by her family. June cherished these moments above all else. June enjoyed the sounds of the Big Band music and often traveled with her good friend, Mel Victor, to Grand Haven where the Big Band music and dancing was played by the fountain. Traveling to the Bahamas was also one of June's favorite pastimes. She loved to take in their beautiful horizons. June was an avid reader of mostly mystery novels and more modern writers. She was also a passionate collector of Roseville and Frankoma Pottery. She was a fanatical shopper and never missed an opportunity to hit the stores, which included antiquing. June felt these were skills that should be passed on to her four girls. June had beautiful cabinets which held her fabulous collection of crystals and pottery, which she took great pride in displaying. June was a very organized person and believed everything had its place. She never lost her love for sports and would often organize and participate in football pools and was an avid bowler and persisted with bowling leagues at Eastbrook Lanes. She was an enthusiastic Cub fan. June passed away in the presence of her loving family on Thursday morning, October 23, 2003, at Hearthstone Assisted Living Center. She is survived by her four daughters: Debra Williamson, Kim & Ken Stager all of Lowell, MI, Beth Huber of Lapeer, MI, Becki Arendsen of Howard City, MI; her seven grandchildren: Andy and Terry Williamson, Marty Seeley, Brad Huber, Jonathon and Christopher and Salli Arendsen; 4 great grandchildren: Aaron and Sammy Seeley, Seth Huber and Makalie Williamson; her brother, Basil "Tucker" (Kate) Waugh of VA, Vivian Dashner, Millie (Bob) Ball of Petoskey, MI, Bunny (K.C.) Gay of Florida; her sister-in-law, Laura Waugh of Petoskey; many nieces and nephews and many friends. Her parents, Basil and Frances Waugh, and two brothers, Harold Waugh and Fred Waugh preceded June in death.Cremation has taken place. A service to celebrate the life of June will be held on Tuesday October 28, at 5:00 PM at Van't Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. NW, one block west of Alpine Ave. Relatives and friends are invited to meet her family at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 28 from 4:00 PM until the time of the funeral. Contributions in her memory are requested to Hospice of Michigan. You can read her life story, make contributions or order flowers if you log onto her personal website www.lifestorynet.com. When you lose a loved one, memories of your times together become treasures of the heart. May June live on in your hearts. She will be sorely missed!