Mary Lynne Lappala

Mary Lynne Lappala, age 65, of Howell, MI, formerly of Escanaba, MI, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 1, 2009. She was born August 10, 1943 in Highland Park, MI, daughter of the late John and Mila (Heikkinen) Lappala. The family moved from the Detroit area to Pelkie, MI in 1946 where Mary Lynne lived until she graduated from Baraga High School in 1961. She received her BRE degree from Detroit Bible College and her MA degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University. Mary Lynne taught for 20 years at Christian Schools in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Escanaba, MI. She was very active in church activities, teaching Sunday School, Children's Church and AWANA and was involved in Bible studies. Mary Lynne worked at doctors' offices in Escanaba, MI for 14 years until her retirement in 2007. Surviving are her brother, Robert (Jean) Lappala of Howell, MI and her sister, Judy (David) Kinnunen of Pensacola, FL; six nieces and nephews, Debra (Russ) Evens of Howell, Dale (Shay) Lappala of Howell, Todd (Vicki) Kinnunen of Gwinn, MI, Denise (Roger) Marcotte of Kalkaska, MI, Tim (Sarah) Kinnunen of Gulf Shores, AL and Christy Kinnunen of Monticello, FL. Also 12 great nieces and nephews, Lauren, Lindsay, Jonathan, Bryan, Jake, Luke, Bradley, Zach, Ashleigh, Ashley, Joshua and Caleb. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 4th at 2 p.m. from MacDonald's Funeral Home, Howell (517-546-2800); visitation from 12:30 until service time. The Reverend Matthew A. Postiff, Ph.D, M.Div., will officiate. Following the service, luncheon and fellowship will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Howell. There will be a memorial service held in Escanaba, MI on a later date. Burial will be in PelkieCemetery, on Saturday, May 2nd at 3:00 pm where arrangements will be handled by the Jacobson Funeral Home in L'Anse, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Community Church, P.O. Box 461, Gladstone, MI 49837.