Eileen Strickland

Eileen M. Strickland age 74 of St. Johns, MI and Mesa AZ, went to be with her husband in heaven on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating.  Burial will be held at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI.  Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 from 5-7 P.M. with a Rosary prayed at 7:00 P.M.

Eileen was born on October 17, 1946 to Gerald and Kathleen (Nokes) McLaughlin in Seattle, Washington.  On April 15, 1966, she married the love of her life, Larry Ray Strickland in Seattle, Washington.  They went on to raise a family and create a life together in St. Johns, MI.

Eileen worked as the play-ground aid at St. Joseph’s Catholic School and at Rite Aid in St. Johns.  She was very involved with her children’s activities; bowling, gymnastics, and theatre.  She used her sewing skills to teach a multitude of St. Johns Theatre students sewing, from 1989-1997.  She wintered in Mesa, AZ, where she enjoyed time with her friends making stained glass, creating jewelry in the lapidary shop, China painting, ceramics, playing Bingo, and her passion for the managing the STAR Tree at Christmas.

Eileen is survived by daughters: Lorretta Snyder of St. Johns, and Linda Isaacson of Grand Ledge, son Lonnie (Jennifer) Strickland, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and brother Ed McLaughlin of Mesa, AZ.  She was preceded in death by her husband Larry Strickland, father Gerald McLaughlin, mother Katie McLaughlin-Donahoe, brother Dennis “Duke” McLaughlin, and 2 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Catholic Charities of Lansing, MI, or United Ostomy of America.  Online condolences can be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.