Eldon "Al" Laracey

Our loving husband, father and grandfather passed away early Sunday morning July 26, 2015 at his residence with his family by his side. Age 87 years. The son of the late Carl James and Olivia Belle (Hacker) Laracey was born September 16, 1927 in Kawkawlin, Michigan where he has resided all of his life. He graduated from Bay City Central High School, proudly served his Country in the United States Army and was a dedicated member of Faith Lutheran Church. Al began his career moving buildings with his father at Carl J. Laracey & Sons House Movers and continued working in the moving business with his brother Melvin "Bud" Laracey. Al then formed his own company to continue on the family legacy, Laracey Movers and operated it until his retirement. Over the years he enjoyed many hours in his pole building tinkering, fixing many things, engineering projects but most of all he cherished the time he spent with his family and friends. On February 14, 1975 he married his loving wife of forty years, the former Mary O. Meyer in Cheney, KS and she is left behind to cherish his memories along with two daughters and two sons-in-law; Brenda and Philip Davis of Rockford, MI and Pamela and Kenneth B. Rapelje of Traverse City, MI and one son and daughter-in-law; Mark and Dawn Laracey of Traverse City, MI, six grandchildren; Bethany Hartman and her fiancé Brent Thomas, Trenton Davis, Megan Esterline and her husband Dirk, Matthew Rapelje, Mitchell Laracey, and Michael Laracey, one great grandson; Benjamin Esterline, one sister-in-law; Jeanette Laracey and several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Besides his parents Carl and Olivia, he was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister-in-law; Gerald and Norma Laracey and Melvin "Bud" Laracey and one sister; Ione Laracey Clay. Al's family thanks everyone for their tremendous amount of love and support during the past several months. Special thanks go to caregivers Stacy Kubazak, Annie Bujalski, Ashley Obermiller, ACN staff, and Heartland Hospice. Funeral Services will take place Friday, July 31, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church (Wilder & Two Mile Road). Officiating will be Rev. Daniel C. Meckes with interment following in Heavenly Rest Cemetery in Kawkawlin under the auspices of the United States Army and the Bay County Veterans Council. The family will be present at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Thursday to receive visitors from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mr. Laracey will be taken to the church on Friday to lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a memorial to Faith Lutheran Church or the Parkinson's Research Foundation.