LaVon Rolfe

LaVon passed away September 20, 2018 at the age of 93, after a very fulfilling life. LaVon was born in Iowa June 22, 1925, the daughter of Ralph and Irene Miller (Dunham). She graduated from Benjamin Bosse High School in Evansville, IN, and until very recently attended her annual class reunions. While working at the USO in Evansville she met a fellow in the Army from Climax, MI, who forthwith told his buddies he was going to marry that girl "if she will have me". That soldier was Clarence "Larry" Rolfe, and LaVon said "yes" to his ensuing proposal and they were united in a marriage on December 22, 1946 that endured for over 71 years until Larry died this past February. Early in their marriage LaVon began a promising career as a medical professional in the Kalamazoo office of Dr. August Fath, but her life path veered to a different mission with the raising of children, managing a household, and administering the bookkeeping aspects of Larry's music store business. Throughout their marriage LaVon and Larry enjoyed ballroom dancing, and travelling; especially the 49 cruises on the world's oceans and various ports and a river or two. They treated the entire family to one of those grand ocean cruises a number of years ago, with spouses, and grandchildren. LaVon also managed her business as an Avon sales representative for over 30 years. She enjoyed feeding and watching the birds outside her home of nearly 70 years in Vicksburg, and was a frequent caller to the WKZO Radio Saturday morning bird program to vie for the quiz contest prize of a bag of bird seed and a certificate for dinner at the River Lake Inn in the Colon area, which she and Larry frequented many, many times over the years. LaVon realized her goal of living quite independently at home, until just a couple weeks ago, thanks to some occasional assistance with household chores and other matters by her friend and special care-giver, June French. An unfortunate fall on September 7 led to emergency back surgery and a brief stay at the Bronson Commons rehabilitation facility, where she peacefully passed-away due to various unavoidable complications. LaVon was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, and by her big brother Ralph Jr., and brother-in-law Stanley, several years ago. Her first born child, Kevin, died several days after birth, but was never forgotten. LaVon is survived by her other children: Craig Rolfe, Kirk Rolfe, Tamra (Randy) Stafford, and Bruce (Crystal) Rolfe; and by grandsons Nicholas (Lisa) Stafford, and Jaron Rolfe and Alexander Rolfe, as well as their respective soon-to-be spouses, Abbie Pressley and Michelle Walters. A visitation for LaVon's friends and family is scheduled for 10 am on Friday, September 28 at the United Methodist Church on Main St. in Vicksburg, where LaVon was a committed member for many decades (after faithfully associating with the former Evangelical United Brethren Church in Vicksburg). The visitation will be followed immediately by a remembrance service at the church about 11 am, and a post-services luncheon, like the many such luncheons LaVon participated in as a church volunteer throughout her life in Vicksburg. Burial will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Climax, next to Larry, and near baby Kevin. For any additional information please visit langelands.com, or call Langeland Family Funeral Homes at (269) 343-1508. The family suggests LaVon would appreciate any memorial donations, including in lieu of flowers, be directed to Residential Opportunities, Inc. (ROI) of Kalamazoo. This organization and its incredible personnel have assured Kirk a safe and contented life for decades.