Cleo F Townsend

DeWitt, MI

Cleo Townsend was born April 14, 1946 in Dansville, MI and died June 12, 2011 in Dewitt, MI. He retired as a pipefitter for General Motors after 27 years of faithful service. He was a member of both the UAW Local 602 and the Plumber and Pipefitters Union Local #388. Cleo was an avid gardener and a cycling enthusiast who rode in the DALMAC 4 times. He loved his family and friends and enjoyed playing cards and taking trips into the U.P. Cleo enjoyed Lansing Eastern and Grand Ledge swimming as well as watching all MSU sports. His blood ran green. He had an infectious laugh and his smile lit up a room. He was a self made entrepreneur who was incapable of sitting still. Cleo was a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and was a member of Faith Church in Lansing. He never tired of learning about new things throughout his life. He also enjoyed studying his family’s history and spending time at many family reunions. Cleo was preceded in death by his parents, Loal and Helen (Proctor) Townsend; brother, Wendell and niece Nannette Dahlgren. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 37 years, Kathleen; daughters Sarah (John) Hughes, Allyson (Shad) Pfifer; sons Adam (Whitney), Ian (Amanda); grandchildren Haley and Maddie Pfifer, Kellen and Ava Townsend; sisters Diane (Tom) Voss and Janice Campbell. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, June 16, at Faith Church, 2300 Lake Lansing Rd, Lansing, with Pastor Chris Hinterman officiating. The family will receive friends on Wed from 5-8pm at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, DeWitt Chapel, 205 E. Washington, DeWitt. Contributions may be made to the Lansing City Rescue Mission,607 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912 or the Grand Ledge Swim Boosters c/o Chris Bayley, 1104 Candela Lane, Grand Ledge, MI 48837 in memory of Mr. Townsend.