Delbert Lee Cater

Delbert Lee Cater, age 85, died peacefully on May 17, 2023, surrounded by his close family members at Green Acres of Mason. Mr. Cater was born in Brethren, MI on July 10, 1937, the son of the late Alexander “Bob” Stewart and Mabel Irene Cater. He graduated from Norman Dickson High School in Brethren in 1956. After working at a Shell gas station shortly after high school, he started working for the Lansing Board of Water and Light and retired after close to 30 years.

He participated in the Michigan Steam Engine and Threshers Club for over 30 years. His passions were deer hunting, fishing, guns, restoring antique tractors, carpentry and making trips home to Brethren to his cabin with family members. Although he had a stubborn demeanor, he had a deep love for his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. He loved to take grand adventures across Michigan to Mackinac Island and Frankenmuth, along with trips to Tennessee.

He married Marilyn Jean Semrau in Lansing on August 16, 1958, at the age of 21, and they were married for almost 60 years until her death in February 2018.

Delbert was preceded in death by with Marilyn (Semrau) Cater; son Scott Allen Cater; grandson David Barkdull; and great-granddaughter Makayla Hostetler. He is survived by four children, Timothy (Susan) Cater of Mason; Kevin Cater of Lansing; Lori Barkdull of Murfreesboro, TN and Kristine (Jose) Oviedo of Lansing; daughter-in-law Tracy Cater of Lansing; one brother, Garry (Mary) Cater of Brethren, MI; one sister, Rita (John) Gustafson of Ormond Beach Florida; eleven grandchildren Amanda Cater, Benjamin Cater, Michael (Jean) Odom, Tyler (Ellie) Cater, Amy (James) Hill, Dylan (Lindsay) Cater, Makenzie Cater, Courtney Cater, Aaron Barkdull, Ashlyn (Curtis) Cook, Allison Oviedo; and seven great grandchildren, Karlee Odom, Joselynn Odom, Cole Cater, Nora Cater, Willow Cater, Paul Cater, and Knoxville Cook.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30, May 22, 2023 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, Michigan with visitation for two hours prior. Interment at Chapel Hills Memorial Gardens will occur after the service.

Special thanks to Green Acres of Mason and Careline Hospice for the excellent care Delbert received the final two years of his life.