Lawrence H. Weting has now joined his beloved wife, Lucy, in the arms of his Savior. Lawrence, age 92, passed on Thursday, 13 December , just weeks after his Lucy was laid to rest. In recent years, he often said, “I want to outlive her by a day!” His family stands in awe of the selfless care he gave her as together they stood against her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
The son of Howard and Hazel (Crawford) Weting, born in Hazel Park, Lawrence was the middle child, sandwiched by older brother (and much admired) Ralph and much loved sister, Beth Weting Echtinaw. The loss of his brother during World War II had a profound effect on Lawrence and spurred him on to be the kind of man he became, one of honor and integrity. Brought up during the Depression years, Lawrence was sure to wring out every ounce of service from any tangible item he owned.
Married at 17, Lawrence then finished high school and enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving proudly as a line cook in Amarillo, TX until the time of his discharge. His Meritorious Service certificate extends the gratitude of the US Army Air Forces for those “Whose wholehearted and sincere services contributed to the successful prosecution of World War II against those who sought to subjugate the civilized world.” Lucy was able to follow him to his posts and cemented their lifetime commitment to being together at every possible moment. Family and friends benefitted from his enjoyment of cooking and will always remember his Sunday brunch, after church, macadamia nut pancakes. His grandchildren will remember him pouring honey into their mouths directly from the honey bear!
When asked about his proudest moment, he replied, “Having children and making a home and family along with Lucy.” His children, daughter Claudia Adams and son, John (Marny) Weting will always remember their Dad as kind and loving, always willing to go the extra mile for them as well as anyone he knew. After scraping thru his own high school years it was a great source of pride for him and Lucy to watch both children and all three grandchildren receive their college degrees. Their investment in higher education will reach down to include the next generations as well.
He became a successful businessman by always being present himself to put in the hard work alongside the men and women he hired. He began to fulfill his dream of operating a machine shop when he and Lucy started Rochester Manufacturing Company on a hundred dollar investment on February 14, 1954. Hundreds of employees were considered “family” as each of his business decisions either put food on their table or not! With the success of RMC on South Street, expansions occurred including Shiawassee Manufacturing Company in Owosso, MI, Avon Gear, also on South Street, as well as Fulton Engineering in Rochester, IN. Key employees became his lifelong best friends and contributed to the success of RMC and enabled Lawrence to always take pride in the products produced and the way their customers were treated, namely Barney Arendsen and the late Paul Broder. “Quality is our Lifeline!” was the tagline of RMC and stood as a beacon for every days’ production. Not one to separate business from family, when the grandchildren were small, he ordered each new semi truck he bought to be emblazoned with their names on the front of the cab, Erika, Jeff and Paige!
He always said “I want to live a hundred years and even if I die tomorrow, I have a hundred years of living in already!” Leisure time for Lawrence and Lucy involved family time and the enjoyment of grandchildren and then great-grandchildren. He never met a motorhome he didn’t like and owned and enjoyed several, finally selling his last one at age 91. He and Lucy “kidnapped” the grandchildren each summer and took off for various US destinations that will always kindle fond memories for Erika, Jeff and Paige. Lucy and he enjoyed travel and visiting friends and relatives throughout the USA. A second driving trip to Alaska was on his bucket list but they didn’t quite make it there. Kauai became a favorite destination. He and Lucy repeated their wedding vows four times, twice in Kauai. That surely served them as they celebrated their 75th anniversary in October, just a month before Lucy’s death. Photography was another fun pastime for Lawrence and his vast array of albums and collections of slides and movies will keep his family busy for years to come! He enjoyed small game hunting in his early years with Paul and son John but later he most enjoyed hunting nature with his camera.
A man of strong Christian faith, God went before his every important decision in life and in faith, we know God is saying to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Always humble in spirit and generous in heart is how he will be remembered by those who knew him best.
Lawrence is survived by daughter, Claudia Adams, son, John Weting, three grandchildren, Erika Perez, Jeffrey Weting (partner Nicole Backus) and Paige Weting-Bennett (Dr. Jeffrey Bennett) as well as three precious great-grandchildren, Sebastian Perez, Makena and Malia Bennett. His sister, Beth Echtinaw and sister-in-law, Shirley Wood also survive him. He was a much loved uncle to many nieces and nephews and along with Lucy, he never met a stranger! His favorite title though was “Bompa,” bestowed on him by his grandchildren and extending to his great-grands.
Pre-deceasing him, in addition to his wife Lucy, parents and brother Ralph, are his brother-in-laws, Ray Echtinaw, Dudley Martin, K.B. Kimball and Tony Clara and sisters-in-law, Rita Weting Bills Malecki, Geraldine Clara and Marillyn Kimball and nephew, Gerald Clara.
Pixley Funeral Home, 322 W. University Drive, Rochester MI is serving the family and visitation will be on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 from 4-8 PM. Celebration of a life well-lived will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3980 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills, MI 48309, on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 12 Noon, with gathering beginning at 11 AM until time of service. Luncheon will follow services at Lino’s, 50 W. Tienken, Rochester. Cremation will take place after services conclude and he and Lucy’s cremains will be mixed together and interred in the family plot at Meade Cemetery, Ray Township, MI, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills, MI. 48307, The Care Team Hospice Foundation, 30600 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 245, Farmington Hills, MI, 48334 or St Luke’s United Methodist Church “kitchen fund” as the kitchen was Lawrence’s favorite place to be!
The family wishes to thank their residence, Waltonwood on Main in Rochester and The Care Team Hospice as well as the 24 hour caregivers from Comfort Keepers who began caring for Lucy immediately after Lawrence’s fall and continued caring for Lawrence, for the tender, loving care they provided to both of our parents.
