Margaret A. Brantley

Margaret Ann Brantley, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away on September 29, 2015 at the age of 70 in Lansing. She was born on May 30, 1945 to Albert and Edna Schaefer in St. Johns, Michigan. Margaret was a 1963 graduate of St. Johns High School and graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.B.A. in finance. Margaret was employed by East Lansing Public Schools as a teacher and later worked for the State of Michigan as a Securities Fraud Investigator.

On June 10, 1995 Margaret married Dr. Robert Brantley. After meeting Bob, Margaret learned to golf and ski. She also went on her first hot air balloon ride. Together they enjoyed skiing with friends in Utah, Wyoming, and the Canadian Rockies, as well as in Italy. For many years they split their time between their homes in Okemos, Michigan and Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida. Margaret enjoyed reading, gardening and quilting. Beautiful flower gardens filled every yard where ever she lived. All of her children, grandchildren and many friends have received quilts she made. While at Heritage Palms she devoted much time to making quilts and teaching others how to quilt. Through her efforts in working with others, hundreds of quilts were donated to many charities to provide comfort to those in need, especially ill children.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her husband, Robert and daughters, Lori (Brian) Close of Bartlett, Illinois, and Heather Flegel of Portland, Oregon, granddaughter Adeline Flegel and grandson Nicholas Close. Also surviving are step-daughter Cristina (Richard) Luke and grandsons Brody and Casey Luke and grandsons Doug and Peter Brantley and their mother Lauri Brantley. Margaret is survived by her sisters Jean (Jim) Welsh and Kathy (Frank) Allbee and niece Michelle (Paul) Johnson and nephew Ryan (Meredith) Welsh.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, October 2, 2015 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. For those desiring, contributions may be made in memory of Margaret to the charity of one’s choice. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com