Rosalyn Champion

CHAMPION, Rosalyn
Galesburg, MI Passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2011 after a tremendous and courageous battle with lung cancer. Born Rosalyn Lucille Yeast to Minor and Amelia Meeks Yeast in Battle Creek, Michigan on July 26, 1937, growing up in Augusta and graduating from Galesburg-Augusta High in 1955. Following graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Mark Champion, on June 24. They were married for 56 wonderful years, becoming the proud parents of 2 children, prouder grandparents of 6, and beaming great grandparents of two. Rosalyn started working her senior year in high school as a co-op at First National Bank. Following the birth of her first child in 1956, went to work at the VA Hospital in Battle Creek for 5 years. She then had her second child and became a stay at home mom, but not for long. She enjoyed working and when the opportunity came up; she took a position at Burgess Seed and Plant Company and then joined forces with Pat Sweeney to open a mail order plant company called Bishop Nursery. After several years she left the plant business, became a secretary to Attorney Ross Stancati before returning to the VA Hospital, retiring in 1998 after 28 years. Rosalyn enjoyed many social activities, traveling all over the country with her daughter Dawn for baton competitions, being the proud cheerleader of her son Mike's football and basketball teams, carrying on the tradition of cheerleader to the grandchildren. For years she and Mark were on a bowling league with their many friends, and threw awesome Halloween parties. Rosalyn was also on a golf league through the VA Hospital. But then Florida beckoned them to the sunshine where they spent their last 13 winters in Port Charlotte. Rosalyn is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Mark; son Michael Champion Laura, daughter Dawn Emig Terry, 5 grandchildren, Rachael Fleser Jason, Todd Champion, Kraig Champion, Chelsea Ward and Collin Emig. Two great grandchildren, Evan Fleser and Ian Fleser, six step-grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren, sister Brenda Mason Randy, sister-in-law Mary Yeast, and many nieces and nephews and sister and brother-in-laws. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Jerry Yeast, grandson Joel Ward, daughter-in-law Pat Drake Champion and niece Amy Yeast. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Langeland Funeral Home, 6121 King Highway, Comstock with a celebration of Rosalyn's life being held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Siddall officiating. Interment will follow at Cedar Creek Cemetery, Delton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rosalyn's memory may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank Dr. Keith Bailey and Staff for their wonderful, supporting care and Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, register book and condolences. 343-1508