Wandamae Frances Lyons

Wandamae Frances (Peters) Lyons, 88, of Hartford, passed away at 11:16 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2016, at her home.

She was born on March 28, 1927, in Benton Township to Benjamin Alexander Peters and Frances Genevieve (Carpp) Peters. Wanda graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1945, and attended Michigan State College in Lansing, studying music. She sang in choirs, played tennis and was the drum majorette in junior high and high school.

On June 14, 1947, she married Robert E. Lyons in Benton Harbor. He passed away on Dec. 7, 2008. They lived in Kalamazoo and Chicago while Bob was attending college, then moved to Lawrence in 1954 where Bob started his dental practice. In 1960 they moved their residence to Hartford and the dental practice to Watervliet. Wanda was a homemaker, seamstress, music teacher and directed the church choir. She lived a life full of love, singing, baking and had a deep faith in God.

Wandamae is survived by two sons, William Lyons and Donald Lyons; and two daughters, Peggy (James) Lyons McCormick and Teresa Lyons Tavolacci; four granddaughters: Tracie (Jason) Tavolacci Kraushaar, Julie (Jason) Tavolacci Wychuyse, Shanna (Mark) McCormick Liverett and Michelle (Jared) Lyons Enos; two grandsons, Adrian (Beth) Tavolacci and Joel (Angie) Tavolacci; and 20 great-grandchildren. Wandamae is also survived by one sister, Betty (James) Lull; three brothers, Eugene (Marian) Peters, Don (Rheta) Peters and Lloyd (Janie) Reece.

She was preceded in death by sister-in-law, Connie (Harry) Rimes.

A service to honor her memory will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at New Life Harvest Ministries, 67473 Red Arrow Highway, Hartford. Pastor Marla Thurman will be officiating. Wandamae will be laid to rest in Maple Hill Cemetery in Hartford. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.