Deloras Mae Buckley

She grew up on a farm with an older brother, Lloyd and four sisters - Donna, Leona, Darlene, and Diann. They all did farm chores, but as Deloras became older, she was responsible for cleaning and cooking the evening meals. During high school, she received a job at the local bank for winning top honors in her bookkeeping class. Her future husband went to the same one room school house and lived on her road. After dating a while, Jack and Deloras Buckley married on April 9, 1950. They first lived in an apartment on Prospect St. in Grand Rapids. She worked at Michigan State Bank while he worked for Home Services. After a couple of moves, they settled in Jenison where they have lived for 67 years and raised their five children. Her husband started a trucking business, and Deloras worked as his bookkeeper, took care of the home, children, and the garden. They enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and other countries. Deloras wrote many newsy and encouraging cards over the years and didn't forget special occasions. She was active in her church and helped others. When she was in her sixties, she played basketball on a women's church team. She liked to cook for others, be social, and played many games and cards with friends and family. As grandparents, they attended as many grandchildren's games as they could. Deloras cooked, canned, sewed, and worked hard at everything she did. There were many years that she traded stocks, too. She lived her faith every day and made family and friends feel special with her smile and generous spirit. We were so blessed to have her as our wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Deloras was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Lloyd; sisters Leona and Darlene; and an infant grandson, Michael Christopher. She is lovingly remembered by her husband of 74 years, Jack; children Mike (Cheryl) Buckley, Vicki (Jim) Rabbitt, Valerie (Tim) Gheen, David (Erin) Buckley, Steve (Chris) Buckley; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters Donna Sheler and Diann (John) Briggs; and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Deloras will be 11 a.m. Tuesday October 15, 2024, with visitation from 10-11 a.m., at Bauer Community Fellowship, 4852 Bauer Rd., Hudsonville, MI 49426. There will be a luncheon following the service. Please consider a donation to Bauer Community Fellowship in memory of Deloras. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.