Lillian Ida Cummins

Lilly was born on June 14, 1927 to Russell and Lillian (West) Bunker in Flint, Michigan. Lilly was warm, sincere, loving, gracious, loyal, generous, creative, tenacious, considerate, devoted, kind, caring, elegant, soft touch for animals, feisty, athletic, ageless and a great friend. She grew up in Michigan living the last 56 years of her life in the home she and her husband, Ralph, built in East Lansing for their family.

She graduated from Flint Northern High School and worked at the China Closet during High School. It was there she put her caring and creative skills to good use in gift wrapping and making special bows for customer’s packages. Lilly used these skills for the rest of her life to gift-wrap beautiful presents for friends and family. She lovingly taught these skills to her daughter, Chris, who is carrying on this artistic touch on packages.

When Lilly (Mom) and Ralph (Dad) moved their family of three children to East Lansing, she joined the MSU Ladies Figure Skating Club. She also served as the Den Mother for her oldest son’s, Ed, Cub Scout Troop. Ed said, “Mom was the best!” At the encouragement and support of her loving husband, she began taking night classes at Lansing Community College then transferred to Michigan State University. While working full time for the Michigan Department of Social Services (DSS) and raising her family with Ralph, Lilly continued taking night classes and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Michigan State University in 1986. Lilly retired from DSS after 19 years of service where she enjoyed helping families and people in need.

She and Dad loved attending their youngest son’s, Russ, sporting events and cheering him on in football and hockey. Later in life, Lilly continued attending sporting events of her grandson, Jon (baseball, soccer and hockey through travel hockey), taking Dad with her, even after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She was determined that Grandpa would see Jon play too.

Lilly enjoyed many things about retirement, which included spending more time with her kitties, working with Ralph in their yard, feeding the squirrels, chipmunks, woodchuck, deer that would feed in their yard. She even named some of the critters who most frequented her yard (Chippy, Stubby, Coco (squirrels) and Chucky (woodchuck). Lilly was lovingly referred to by her family as “Mother Nature.” She was a member of the Michigan Athletic Club for 28 years where Lilly regularly participated in aerobics, yoga and weight lifting classes. She was a powerhouse. Lilly said the key to life was to keep moving and vodka with tonic or a cold beer at the end of the day. Lilly was also active at city council meetings and kept city council on point!

Lilly was a member of Christ Community Church and thought the world of their Senior Pastor, Michael Dunkelberger and his wife, Suzi, who became dear friends.

Lilly is predeceased by Ralph; her parents; and six siblings. She is survived by her brother, Richard (Sharon) Bunker of Grand Blanc, Michigan; sons, Ed (Margie) Cummins of Ormond Beach, Florida, Russ Cummins of Keaau, Hawaii; daughter, Chris (Bill) Collette of East Lansing; grandson, Jon Kuisel of East Lansing; step-grandson, Jody Chapin (Lisa) of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and step-great grandson, Chase Chapin of Clarksville, Michigan; and many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins.

Special thanks and deepest appreciation to Sparrow Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Sara (nurse) and Brittany (Tech). They went above and beyond in their care of Lilly and thoughtfulness to her family.

Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 starting at 12:00 p.m. at Christ Community Church, 227 N. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933. There will be a one-hour visitation prior to the service. The committal service for Lilly will be at Sunset Hills Cemetery, Flint, Michigan (4413 Flushing Road, Flint, Michigan 48504) following the service.

PALLBEARERS: Jon Kuisel, Bill Collette, Ed Cummins, Randy Lewis, Ryan Neilson, Jeff Neilson, Russ Cummins, Jody Chapin and Chase Chapin

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society in her name (7095 West Grand River Avenue Lansing, MI 48906).

Arrangements are by the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, East Lansing Chapel.

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