Marian L. Damon
Marian L. (VanSyckle) Damon, 87, of Bellevue, Mich., passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at home surrounded by her most loving family.
She was born on June 28, 1933 in Tekonsha, Mich. to Harold and Velma (Green) VanSyckle. As a young girl, Marian loved cheerleading, working in Fruin’s Drug Store at the soda fountain, the Ice Cream Plant in Pennfield behind M-66 Bowling Alley and the old pickle factory in Eaton Rapids. On May 24, 1951 Marian graduated from Bellevue High School, and an hour later, married the love of her life Robert D. Damon Sr. They were lifelong residents of Bellevue where they raised their family.
Marian was the best homemaker to her family, always juggling the family schedule, taking care of their home, making family meals, desserts and ensuring every holiday occasion was special. She loved her family more than anything and especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed the challenge of a crossword puzzle, making the best birthday and wedding cakes, including the individualized creative decorating for every family member. Marian also loved her gardening in both the vegetable and flower gardens. She spent hours making personalized fresh flower arrangements and potted flowers for friends and family. In their early retirement, Bob and Marian worked with their son at Marshall Gardens where she enjoyed designing and creating arrangements and working in the greenhouse. Marian was a longtime member of Bellevue United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her children, Duane (God rest his soul)(LuAnn) Damon whose child and grandchildren are Dustin (Jessica, Lauren and Carter) of Marshall, Daniel (Peggy) Damon whose children and grandchildren are Michael (Abbi, Elliana and Hadley) of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Thomas (Nicole) of Battle Creek; Vickie (Doug) Pennington (God rest their souls) whose son and granddaughter is Douglas (Michelle, Willow) of Bellevue, Debra (Ricky) Gardner whose children and grandchildren are Lindsey Butters (Douglas West and Braxton Butters) and Kilee Gardner (Melinda) of Bellevue; and Pam (Tom) Shilling whose daughter and grandchildren are Amber Shilling Schmitz (Emma, Alley and Bailey) of Bellevue. Marian enjoyed their seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Marian is also survived by her brother, Harold VanSyckle Jr. of Pinconning, Mich. and a special cousin, Jeannie Creyts of Eaton Rapids. Sadly, her husband of 54 years, Robert D Damon preceded her in death on April 1, 2005; as well as her brothers Roland VanSyckle, Roger VanSyckle and her sisters Shirley Seeley, Alberta Willis and Gladys Atkins and a special Uncle and Aunt Royal and Annie Kykendahl of Eaton Rapids, Mich.
Marian was lovingly and thoughtfully cared for in her home by her RN, Chrissy Eakins of Grace Hospice of Kalamazoo.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bellevue Memorial Scholarship Foundation, 201 West Street, Bellevue, MI 49021 or Grace Hospice of Kalamazoo, 2725 Airview Blvd. #101, Portage, MI 49002.
Graveside services for Marian were held on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue, Michigan.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Bellevue. Please visit kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook or to leave the family condolences.