Died: 8 April 2015
Lenora Mae (Simpkins) Friebel, Maples, 91years, surrounded by family, stepped peacefully away from this life on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at Spring Arbor, Michigan. She has moved into the loving and caring arms of God and she is ready for His next big plan.
Lenora was born in Hillman, Michigan on May 23, 1923 to Sarah and Bill Simpkins. She and her older brother, Mervin, spent their early years in Raco, Michigan. She graduated from Brimley High School in Michigan and attended Marion College in Indiana. Her plans to become a high school English teacher were put on hold when she married David Friebel and had three children. David passed away in 1954.
She then married Wendell Maples, and was with him until he passed away in 2012. Lenora worked as a secretary for both the J.L. Hudson Co., and MARCO Chemical Company. In retirement she enjoyed traveling with her husband Wendell in their fifth-wheel, countrywide. She loved entertaining family and friends in their home, and no one ever left without playing a game of UNO or Mexican Train. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her brother Merv, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephew, Jim.
Lenora will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Lenora was preceded in death by her parents, and her husbands, David Friebel and Wendell Maples.
She is survived by her sons Steve (Tracey) Friebel, Paul (Marilyn) Friebel, and daughter Linda (Steve) Morrow. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren Mardi (Dave) Rezoski, Tanner (Jenna) Friebel, Erich (Kendra) Friebel, Jared (Gina) Friebel, Meagan (Jim) Brancheau, Kathryn Friebel, Brandon (Mary) Morrow, Aaron (Katie) Morrow, Andrew Morrow, and her sixteen great-grandchildren.
The family invites you to the celebration of Lenora’s remarkable life to be held at Trinity Wesleyan Church Tuesday, 14 April 2015 at 2:30 P.M., Pastor Keith Hinton officiating, interment Spring Arbor Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, Jackson South Camp P. O. Box 1512, Jackson, Michigan 49204.
Visitation will be held at Watson Funeral Chapel in Jackson, Michigan on Monday 13 April 2015 from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 P.M. WATSON FUNERAL CHAPEL 2590 SPRING ARBOR ROAD LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1930 www.watson-funeral-chapels.com
Lenora is listed in the 4th edition of the Friedrich Seidemann Family Tree Book on page 166 with her husband David and their three children, their grandchildren, and their great grandchildren.