Elaine M. (Bates) Richard

Elaine Marie Richard was born on July 9, 1936 in Lake Odessa, Michigan to the late Arthur W. and Lenna (Wagner) Bates. She achieved her ultimate earthly goal of spending eternity with Jesus on October 4, 2014 at the age of 78. She was a resident of the Lansing area since 1958. Elaine received an Associate Degree from Western Michigan University where she was employed for a few years. She worked for MSU from 1968-1998. She actively ministered as a member of Pennway Church of God since 1964. Elaine enjoyed reading, cooking, traveling, spending time with her family and sharing the love of Jesus with others. Her friends were very important to her and she was dearly loved by all who knew her. As a faithful follower of Christ, Elaine opened her home and made a family for numerous others, too many to name, but each held a very special place in her heart. Surviving to cherish her memory are her husband of 57 years, Charles; daughter, Deborah (Dan) Quisenberry; two granddaughters, Jessica and Brooke Quisenberry; and two sisters, Maxine (Gailen) Wortley and Dorothy Bickert. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at Pennway Church of God, 1101 E. Cavanaugh, Lansing, MI 48910 with the Rev. Dr. John Davey and Associate Pastor Doug Irving officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. The interment will be at East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos, MI. For those desiring, contributions may be made to Pennway Church of God or Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, 1210 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing, MI 48915 in memory of Elaine. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com.