Carlton Leslie Tyler

Carlton "Sonny" Leslie Tyler (87) died peacefully on April 23, 2015, following a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born in Lansing, Michigan on July 5, 1927, to the late Clifford Leslie Tyler and Mona Fern (Carlton) Tyler. Sonny graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1945 where he excelled athletically in football, baseball, swimming and golf. Immediately following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy at 17 years of age and became a decorated Navy seaman during World War II while serving on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard. Following discharge from military service, Carl began his 39 year career at General Motors, Oldsmobile division, as an assembly conveyor and in 1985, he retired as the Assistant Superintendent of the bumper and plating plants. Carl was an avid sportsman and athlete. He was a member of several championship city league baseball and fast pitch softball teams. He was known as a fierce competitor on the playing field and when playing a game of cribbage or euchre. He had a love of the outdoors and was passionate about hunting, fishing and camping, especially in the most remote regions of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Canada. In 1972, he shot his favorite trophy, an eight-point buck, which could be found hanging over his favorite chair. As a sports enthusiast, he enjoyed watching the MSU Spartans, the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions and any golf tournament with Phil Mickelson as a participant. Carl was preceded in death by his first wife, Judith H. (Kibby) Tyler, their daughter, Linda Ann Tyler; and second wife, Veronica (Janutolo) Tyler. He is survived by his daughter, Jill C. Tyler-Skinner (Michael Skinner); his grandson, Ryan R. Bye; Veronica's daughter, Maggie Winters; granddaughter, Markie Jo Kobie (Ryan); and great granddaughter, Atleigh Jo Kobie. On April 27, 2015, Carl received full military honors in a private burial service held at Deepdale Memorial Gardens. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing, Michigan, with Rev. Harold DeMott officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00PM to 4:00PM and the service will begin at 4:00PM. The family requests that flowers not be sent for the service. However, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org or to Great Lakes Hospice Foundation at www.greatlakescaring.com

The family wishes to express appreciation to each person from Capital Area Health & Rehab Center and Great Lakes Caring who offered compassionate care, a kind word, or a gentle touch while caring for our father.