Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Laverty, Russell Paul April 2, 2019 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Pat Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net August 22, 2020, 4:13 pm Hasting's Reminder-April 6, 2019 RUSSELL PAUL LAVERTY Vermontville, MI - Russell Paul Laverty, age 72 of Vermontville, passed away on April 2, 2019 at home with his loving family Russ was born in Boston, MA on November 28, 1946. The son of the late William and Mary (Lonergan) Laverty. Attended school at Airport High School in Carlton graduating in 1964. He married his childhood sweetheart Bonita (Leonard) Laverty on September 11, 1965 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Carleton. Russ then attended Michigan State University graduating with a B.S. degree in Transportation Planning in 1969, he also graduated from ROTC as a second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Russ served 4 1/2 years on active duty stationed in Heidelbert, Germany where he was a company commander of a tank brigade. Russ's two sons (Dan and Jeff) were born in Germany. After returning home to Lansing, Captain Russell Laverty transferred out of the regular Army and into the National guard where he served another four years. After taking graduate courses in transportation planning a MSU, Russ went to work for the State of Michigan, where he was assigned to start and support 12 bus systems in the southwest corner of Michigan, from Battle Creek to Benton harbor. Russ worked for the state for 27 years, taking early retirement at age 55. After retirement he worked on his family farm and as the Township Supervisor of Vermontville for 20 years. In 1977, Russ and Bonnie with their three children (Amy, Dan and Jeff) settled in Vermontville, living on a small farm where they raised crops, sheep, and beef. This kept them busy on most weekends. However, they still found the time to take their family camping in norther Michigan, and an annual trip to Cedar Point, along with a couple trips to Disneyland. On their 30th wedding anniversary, Russ and Bonnie went on a trip to Hawaii and on their 40th wedding anniversary they took a trip to Alaska. When their moms were in their 80's they took them to Boston, MA and Las Vegas, NV for vacations. Russell served his family Community, and Country, He was a Cub Scout Leader for four years and a 4-H leader teaching woodworking for 27 years. He taught CCD at St. Cyril's served as Vermontville Township Supervisor for 20 years, and was active in the Lions Club helping with community programs. Russ is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie Laverty of 53 years, also survived by his daughter, Amy (Adam) Meeker and two sons, Dan (Cheri) Laverty, and Jeff (Robin) Laverty: seven grandchildren, Dan (Jessika) Brad (Stacey), Dale (Kate) Kylee, Lindsay, Juliann, Olivia, and one great- grandchild Everly Laverty age 16 months. He is also survived by brother William (Norma) Laverty, brother Kevin Laverty and sister Cathy (Bert) Hunterbrinker. Preceded in death by his parents William and Mary Laverty, sister Marie (Dave) Zak, and brother Richard Laverty. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Cyril's Catholic Church i Nashville at 11 a.m. on Saturday. April 6, 2019, with Father Stephan Philip officiating. Following the funeral on Saturday an interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville. There will be a time of fellowship and luncheon immediately following the interment at St. Cyril's Catholic Church in Nashville at 1:30 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Eaton County Medical care Facility in Charlotte. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/l/laverty38352nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb