Richard C. Way Lansing Born August 3, 1926 in Grand Rapids, MI, son of Herbert and Irene (Reams) Way, passed away March 2, 2009 in DeWitt, at the age of 82. Richard was a former principal for Okemos and Waterford Township Public Schools and retired as a principal from the Grand Ledge Public Schools. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Air Force; past president of the Grand Ledge Area Chamber of Commerce, member of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church; played baseball at MSU and was a member of the MSU Alumni.
Richard was an avid gardener, enjoyed landscaping and spending time with family, especially his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years. Donna; 3 sons: James (Kathy) of Grand Ledge, Steven (Cindy) of Lansing and Scott (Debbie) of Haslett; 3 daughters: Janice (Rod) Lawrence of Clarkston, Barbara (Scott) Sitler of Ludington and Judy (Michael) Birkmeier of Rockford; 22 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Herbert Way of Grand Rapids and Russell (Vonnie) Way of Spring Lake; 4 sisters: Evelyn Albee of Grand Rapids, Roberta Schiuteman of FL, Virginia Carew of Ada and Dorothy Guglietta of West Suffield, CT.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 6, 2009 -1:00 p.m. at the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church, 9180 Herbison Road, Eagle, MI 48822, with Rev. Lyle Heaton officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Peters & Murray Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. For those desiring, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc. Online condolences may be made at www.petereandmurrayfuneralhome.com.
Sherrie Paty (Barber) (1966)
Mr. Way was my principal at Wardcliff Elementary School back in the 1950's and I adored him. His thoughtfulness and kindness to a skinny little girl left an indelible mark on me that has never been forgotten.
My parent's were busy people in the 1950's. Dad was building a business, Paty's Auto Parts, and Mom was a Mom plus bookeeper, cook, bottlewasher and business partner. Even as a child I could just about set my watch as to where Mom would be and to what she would be doing. Unfortunately, my personal timing was off one day. I went to school and became sick.....I mean sick!! Mr. Way found me huddled over a lavoratory stool in the bathroom gagging, wretching and crying. He rapidly loaded his hands with damp paper towels, held my head as I wretched and gently cleaned me up. He then literally picked me up and carried me into the school office and tried to phone my mother. Mom, as it was a wintery Wednesday, was banking and doing the weekly grocery shopping somewhere down in the Frandor Shopping Center, hence was out of communication for the morning. Mr. Way got my father on the phone. Dad was at the shop (home and auto part's phone were the same back then) and the only transportation my Dad had was a large service wrecker. As I waited in Mr. Way's office, he gathered my coat from my classroom, and I remember seeing Dad pull up in front ot the school in the Paty's Auto Part's wrecker. Never was I more glad to see my Dad then at that moment. Standing up I became so nauseated that I went to the floor - all equilibrium was gone. Mr. Way again picked me up, a secretary threw my coat over me and out the door we went. My Dad came around the wrecker front to find Mr. Way, me in arms, waiting for him to open the truck door. Me stored inside the cab, the two men briefly talked and then Dad roared the truck engine back to life and we barreled home.
Mr. Way actually called our home later that day to check on me. And when I returned to school days later he came to me and asked how I was doing.
For a little girl......hero worship began.
Sherrie Paty Barber '66