Elmyra "Ellie" Lavia

Elmyra Jane "Ellie” Lavia, 78, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Monday, March 27, 2017, at Sparrow Health Systems, Lansing, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, March 31, 2017, with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 31, 2017 from 12:00 until the time of service.

Elmyra was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 4, 1938, the daughter of Glen L. and Vera E. (Thornton) Kayser. Elmyra enjoyed bowling, crocheting, watching wildlife and gardening. She worked at Walmart in St. Johns as a Department Manager for many years.

She is survived by son Bernard and Tina Lavia of Muskegon, MI, daughter  Dianne and John Pontius of Ithaca, MI, grandchildren; Cody (Angela) Lavia, Johnathan (Sabrina) Pontius, Bryant (Leah) Pontius, Brandon and Krista Nevills, Jacklyn Rodriguez, River Swift, great grandchildren; Julian, Isabella, Brady, Nicholas, brother Edward and Janet Kayser of MI, step brother Robert and Patricia Antekeier of AZ .

She was preceded in death by her father Glen Kayser, parents Vera and Bernard Antekeier and brother Ralph and Ushi Kayser.

Memorials may be made to Pancreatic Cancer. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.