Obituary for Lloyd Harry Ness

January 22, 1928 - October 23, 2017 (age 89) Lloyd Ness has passed away at the age of 89, following a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s Dementia. A devoted family man and an extremely hard worker; Lloyd lived a life of honor and will be remembered by those who knew and loved him as a man of integrity, of great humor, a lover of the great outdoors, and of incredible ability. His wife, Mary Ellen (Thompson) and he built two beautiful homes with their own hands, and raised organic food in huge quantity, before organic was even a “thing”. They spent their lives building memories for their children, camping in Lloyd’s own design of a pop-up camper, once again, long before pop-ups were a “thing”. Lloyd was an amazing provider for his family of six, often working multiple jobs to make ends meet, and never complaining about the demand. There was little he didn’t know how to do for himself, whether it was repairing cars and machinery, wiring and plumbing his homes, drilling a well, running the small farm, hunting and fishing, or laying a brick wall. Still, he was a very sociable man and nearly everyone who met him became a friend. Often on family trips he could be found in conversation with folks he met only moments before. Lloyd worked faithfully at Lansing’s Board of Water and Light for 30 years before retiring from there. He enjoyed many Christmas reunions, and is still known to many there. Lloyd is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Clara (Peck) Ness, his brothers James (AnnaBelle) Ness, Henry (Elna) Ness, Dale (Nancy) Ness, and sister Christina (Charles) Whippo, and his wife of 49 years, Mary Ellen (Thompson) Ness. Following Mary Ellen’s death, in 1997, Lloyd then married long-time family friend Elnor (Isenhath), also deceased. Lloyd and Ellie were married for 13 years before Ellie passed away.

Lloyd is survived by his sons Robert (Nancy) Ness, and David Todd (Kathy) Ness, and his two daughters Debra (Michael) Long, and Jodie (David) Slayton. He leaves behind 12 grandchildren, and 16 (soon to be 17) great-grandchildren. Ellie’s family has also adopted Lloyd as their own, and remained an active and vital part of his life even after her death. Ellie’s family includes daughters Sharon (Ray) Kowlaski, Pam Vogel, and sons Hale (Jane) Isenhath, Gary (Gale) Isenhath, and Mike (Sherri) Isenhath. Funeral Services are to be held on Thursday, the 26th of October, 2017, at 11:00 o’clock in the Morning, at Epic Community Church, 1455 E. Grand River Ave, Portland, MI 48875. The family will receive guests at visitations Wednesday, the 25th from 5-8 PM at Lehman Funeral Home at 210 E. Bridge St., Portland, MI 48875, and then again at 10:00 AM on Thursday at the church mentioned above. There is to be a dinner where loved ones and friends may gather to share memories and blessings of having known Lloyd. This will occur immediately following the funeral service at The Wagon Wheel, in the Oak Room. Let this be a celebration of a life well lived. We would be honored if you would join us there. Internment will be on Friday morning, and will be a casual, quiet event, not really a service. This will occur at Deep Dale Memorial Gardens in Lansing, MI. at the junction of Old Lansing Road and Waverly Road. For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to Compassion International (https://www.compassion.com/where-most-needed.htm) in honor of Lloyd. Arrangements are entrusted to Lehman Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.