Stanley DeDoes

DeDoes, Stanley E. formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan, age 86, died unexpectedly June 8th at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center and entered the kingdom of his Lord and Savior surrounded by his loving family. Born January 26, 1936 in Kalamazoo, Stan was one of five sons and one daughter born to the late John and Jennie (Greendyke) DeDoes. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in in 1954 and married his wife of 65 love-filled years Betty (Canard) DeDoes in 1957, who survives. He began a construction career as a teenager working for his father's home building business. At 26 years old on a solo venture he built three apartment buildings totaling 24-units on Gull Road in Kalamazoo. For many years he was a construction superintendent on large commercial projects including apartment complexes and churches in Michigan and Arizona; he and Betty resided in Tempe, Arizona from 1984 to 1991, returning to Michigan after retiring. In addition, he built six residential homes where his family lived, including two following his retirement. After wintering in Lakeland for 26 years, he and Betty made Florida their year-round residence in 2021. Stan enjoyed providing expertise and helping-hand assistance for home improvement tasks for family, friends, neighbors and people he met in store check out lines. He liked spending time and volunteering at the Southern Michigan Gun Club. For the hours and years of service mowing and maintaining equipment at the club, he was granted a complementary lifetime membership, a reward for which he was proud. He was preceded in death by his sister Nellie DeDoes and brothers Nathan DeDoes, Adrian "Ted" DeDoes, and Robert DeDoes; sister-in-law Lois (Nathan) DeDoes. Surviving Stan are his wife of 65 years Betty (Canard) DeDoes, his children Joni (Scott) Bradley, Patti (David) Benson and Terry (Jill) DeDoes; his brother Nelson "Jake" (Sue) DeDoes; sisters-in-law Mary (Robert) DeDoes and Ardie (Ted) DeDoes; grandchildren Bryan (Lisa) Gilpin, Staci (Matthew) Trapp, Brent (Anni) Bradley, Nicole (Josh) Sparks, Andy (Clara) Benson, Nash (fiance Matley) DeDoes, and Cade DeDoes; great grandchildren Kaidyn Gilpin, Eli Gilpin, Ellie Trapp, Ethan Trapp, Lillian Bradley and Case Bradley. No formal memorial service is planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you consider making a donation in Stan's memory to the American Kidney Foundation or the American Diabetes Association. Contributions can be made via the Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, 3350 Mall Hill Dr., Lakeland, FL 33810.