Everett Lyons

Everett Lyons was a dependable man that others could always count on, as he was very eager to lend a helping hand to those who needed him. He was often the first person his neighbors turned to for help with birthing calves, dehorning cattle, or to give shots to their animals. Everett also loved to have visitors and often asked them to stay for dinner. He would send them home with treats from his garden. Everett was an active man and loved the outdoors, especially farming and gardening, hunting and fishing, playing baseball and most of all spending time with his family.

In 1910, President William Howard Taft led our nation as we embarked into a new decade that proved to be a time of great change for America . Many social issues came to the forefront, such as the escalation of immigration; labor battles, work safety and child labor issues. This was also the decade that World War I - the first 'war to end all wars' raged. The year 1910 also marked a period of great discovery and promise. Gain in mass production methods allowed Ford to offer the Model T at affordable prices to the average consumer. Relaxation and leisure activities were also on the minds of Americans in 1910, with many listening to the music of George and Ira Gershwin and flocking to the movies to see top box-office stars such as Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. The year 1910 was also the first time Father's Day was celebrated in the United States .

On April 4, 1910 Everett Roy Lyons was welcomed into the world. He grew up with seven brothers and two sisters in the Pine Lake area. As a young man, Everett worked as a farmer working the land with his horses, and he saw the many changes that came with technology eventually taking up the work with a tractor. He enjoyed spending his time fishing whether is was in a boat out on the lake or sitting in the cold around a hole in the ice. Everett loved hunting. He was quite an accomplished hunter and began hunting with Glen Miller in the 1930's while at his cottage up at Higgins Lake . In 1931, Everett married his first wife, C. Ruth Findley, they had five children together. Everett had a long career and worked as a deputy for the Allegan County Sheriff Department and as a police officer with the Plainwell and Gaylord Police Department. In later years he worked in the maintenance department at Western Michigan University . When the children were young, he enjoyed spending time with his children and often took them fishing. On Sundays, you could always find Everett playing his favorite sport, baseball.

On August 14, 1965, Everett married Lucy "Pete" McLoud. Together with his five children and her five children from her first two marriages Everett and Lucy "Pete" formed an extended family and shared a great relationship. In retirement they enjoyed camping and traveling and took a trip out west and spent many warm winters in Florida . Everett attended the United Methodist Church in Otsego and also attended services while at Allegan County Medical Facility. In 1947 he joined the Bradley, Michigan Masonic Lodge and was a member for many years.

After 95 years of a life filled with love, Everett died on February 17, 2006 at the Allegan County Medical Care Facility. Learn more about Everett and visit with his family on Sunday from 2-4 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell 120 S. Woodhams, where his service will be held on Monday at 2 PM. His family includes his wife Lucy "Pete"; children: E. Ronald & Nancy Lyons of Plainwell, Donna & Joe Flegal of Gobles, Linda & Ed Hobbs of Saginaw, Gordon & Donna Lyons of Wayland, and daughter-in-law Pam Lyons; step-children: Ralph & Janet Decker of Ohio, Danny & Lynn Decker of Arizona, William & Kathy McLoud of Kalamazoo, Harry "Rick" McLoud formerly of Fennville, and Debra McLoud & Tim Delaney of Vicksburg; 29 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter; sisters: Ruth & Wilbur Weinberg of Mendon and Marilyn & Roy Scott of Arkansas; sisters-in-law Katie, Donna, & Dorothy Lyons; and several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, his first wife C. Ruth Finley Lyons Abrams, son Dewey Carl Lyons, Sr., step- brothers: Lloyd & Dale Lyons, and brothers: Merl, O.K., Ray, Clare Lyons, and Arnold Lyons. Please visit Everett 's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory, or make a memorial donation to the Alzheimer's Association.