Lou Ann Whiting

Lou Ann Whiting was called to her heavenly home on December 12, 2018 after undergoing several years of cancer treatments. She was born in Lansing, MI on July 28, 1954 to Dean and Arlene (Seward) Parks, the oldest of their three children. After graduating from Eastern High School in the Class of 1972, she went to work for the State of Michigan. She began her career there with the State Police Department and held positions in several State Departments before retiring in 2002.

On November 4, 1978, she married her devoted husband, Roger Whiting and they recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. In the early years of their marriage, they liked square dancing and clogging with her parents and other family members. Throughout their life together, she enjoyed MSU hockey, basketball and football games with the extended Whiting clan. Lou also was a very talented seamstress and made beautiful cross-stitch items that she liked to share.

Their faith was always very important to them and in earlier years Lou enjoyed singing in the church choir. They've attended the Mason First United Methodist Church where she was a member of the United Methodist Women Group and loved assisting with the youth choir there.

Lou and Roger spent over 21 years devoted to being foster parents and through the years lovingly cared for over 45 children who were blessed to be in their warm nurturing home. Regardless of the children’s individual needs or circumstances, they were all cherished with love and compassion.

In addition to her husband and father, Lou is survived by her sister, Janet (Martin) Blanchard; brother, Richard (Gretchen) Parks; brother-in-law, Douglas Whiting; and sister-in-law and best friend, Glenda Whiting. She is also survived by her cherished nieces and nephews, Marcy (Ken) McFadden and their children Makenzie (Jacob) Behmlander, Jordan, Trevor, Tyler and Kayla; Dr. Renee (Allen) Spiewak and their son Cole; Jeremy Whiting; Katharyn (John) Schlueter and their daughters Claire and Eliza; Elizabeth (Blad) Taveras; Mary (Jeff) Oamek and their daughter Berkley; Jonathon Boyce; Jaclyn (Adam) Suchecki and their daughter Quinn; Katharine Parks and Colton Parks. Additionally, she leaves her Uncle Rev. Seward, Aunt Connie Seward, many other extended family members, wonderful friends and neighbors, especially Auntie Lou’s “sidekick” Nora Walters.

Lou was preceded in death by her mother, grandparents, father and mother-in-law, 5 uncles, 5 aunts, brother-in-law James Boyce, brother-in-law Gerald Whiting and sister-in-law Margaret Whiting.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2018 at Mason First United Methodist Church, 201 E. Ash St. Mason, MI 48854 with the Rev. Donna Minarik officiating. The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 621 S. Jefferson St., Mason, MI 48854 and one hour prior to the service at church.

The family suggests that anyone interested in making a donation in Lou’s memory to consider the Mason First United Methodist Church or Child and Family Charities, 4287 Five Oaks Dr., Lansing MI 48911.

Memories and online condolences may be shared with the family at www.grbdmason.com.