Toni M. Gundy

When reflecting on the life of Toni Gundy, it is clear to see that she focused the days she was given on caring for others whether her family, those she tended to through work, or people within her community. She was patient with others and offered love without condition to all who were near. It was easy to see that Toni treasured her family, and that it was her children and grandchildren including the much anticipated arrival of the newest granddaughter, Adalynn, who were her greatest source of pride and joy. With her warm and genuine demeanor she was a devoted friend - and a friend of Tonis was a friend for life. Taken from her loved ones too soon, she will be dearly missed but never forgotten. The sixties were an eventful time in America filled with numerous peaks and valleys that helped our nation explore new boundaries. This was the decade in which we put the first man in space and the first man on the moon as the decade drew to a close when the United States and the Soviet Union were deeply entrenched in the space race. It was during this time that we elected the young John F. Kennedy as our 35th President, and Martin Luther King, Jr. brought civil rights to the forefront. Amidst this eventful time a young couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was surprised with the birth of their baby girl two months early on January 7, 1963. Toni Marie was welcomed into the world by her parents, Gerald and Mary Lou (Roberts) Paxson. Her father was a supervisor at Steelcase, and her mother also worked at Steelcase as a speed sewer. For the most part Toni experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of her generation. She lived in the family home in Kentwood until her family moved to Pierson when she was seven years old. As a family they enjoyed camping and celebrating holidays and spending time with family, especially the cousins. Toni attended Sand Lake Elementary and went on to Tri-County Jr. High. Friends were an important part of Tonis life throughout her entire journey, and while growing up some of her closest friend were Theresa Hildebrandt, Matthew Firman, Wanda Cooper, and Jodi Smith-Grear. Her high school years found her at Tri-County High School where she was a member of the student council. Toni graduated with honors as the class valedictorian in 1981. A bit later, in 1994, she earned her Medical Business and Clinical Assistant degree from National Education Center near Rockford, Michigan, with a GPA of 3.5. This left her poised for a rewarding career as a medical assistant and phlebotomist until she retired in May of 2008. New and exciting changes were in store for Toni when her daughter, Jennifer Lynn, introduced Toni to Joe Laverne Gundy, Jr. at the Little Brown Jug in Fruitport. A romance ensued, and the couple was united in marriage on February 16, 2005, at the Grand Haven Courthouse where son, Jeffry, and her bestie friend, Matthew Firman, stood up for them. Together their love was multiplied as they shared their love with their children including Jennifer Lynn who was born in 1982, Jeffry born in 1984, Jennifer Anne born in 1980, Rochelle who was born in 1988, Nicholas born in 1988, and Samantha who was also born in 1988. Toni and Joe lived in Spring Lake for the rest of Tonis life. They loved spending time together as a family doing things such as boating, going to car races, swimming in the pool, and memorable family dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Toni loved being a grandmother and always looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren. She loved doing things like making cookies and just playing whatever they wanted to play with them. Life was forever changed for Toni when she was baptized in 2007. She and Joe became members of Word of Hope Church in Fruitport where she served as a deacon and volunteered at their Clothes Encounters, which specializes in lightly used clothing and other necessities. In 2012, Toni and Joe transferred to Spring Lake Presbyterian Church where she volunteered every Friday at their food pantry and was involved with No More Sidelines, a program that works with children with disabilities. Although caring for her husband, children, and grandchildren kept her very busy, Toni did find time to do a few of the other things she enjoyed like being with her close friends, Tracy and Richard Hunter, Matthew Firman, and Donna Drake. She liked crocheting, spending time on Facebook, and playing games in her recliner with heated blankets along with her two Chihuahuas, Lady and Diego. It has been said that Toni loved listening to her music, loudly, especially Lynyrd Skynyrd. A kind, generous, and compassionate woman, Toni Gundy was a blessing in the lives of all who were within her reach. Her heart beat to serve others, and through her spirit of generosity she made a significant impact in the community she called home for much of her life. A more devoted wife and mother would be hard to find, although Toni just may have argued that becoming a grandmother was the role of a lifetime. She was expressive in her love for her family, never letting them leave without telling them just how deeply they were treasured. It was always, I love you, be safe, when family left her presence. Her timeless legacy that is deeply rooted in unending patience, unconditional love, and unwavering faith will remain alive in the spirits of her many friends and loved ones. Toni M. Gundy died on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at her home. Tonis family includes her husband, Joe Gundy Jr.; daughters, Jennifer Lynn (Joe) Horvath of Spring Lake, Jennifer Anne (Michael) Goode of Athens, GA, Samantha (Jesse) Lavender of Smyrna,GA, Rochelle Gundy of Grand Rapids; sons, Jeffry Gundy of Spring Lake, Nick (Kaylee) Gundy of Spring Lake; granddaughters, Adrianna Springstead of Spring Lake and Savannah Horvath of Spring Lake; dear friends, Matthew Firman, Tracy & Richard Hunter; father; Allen York of Pierson, MI; father-in-law, Joe Gundy Sr. of Spring Lake; mother-in-law, Ernestine Barrs of Casanova; her pets, Lady and Diego; sisters-in-law, Debbie (Allen) Stone of Twin Lake, Yvonne (Robert) Korstange of Norton Shores, Lisa Wright of Muskegon; several nieces, nephews and great-nephews. Toni was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Lou York. Services will be held on Friday, March 7, 2014, 1:00 p.m. with visitation starting at noon at Spring Lake Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dan Anderson officiating. Memorials can be made to Spring Lake Presbyterian Food Pantry. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Arrangements provided by Clock Funeral Home- Muskegon.