Connie Sue Oliver, born on May 18, 1955, to the loving Leroy and Olabelle Penoyer, of Lapeer Michigan has been called home by our Heavenly Father on March 2, 2024, in the peaceful town of West Branch, Michigan. She completed her earthly journey with grace and dignity, surrounded by the love of her family, as she entered into eternal rest after a valiant battle with cancer.
Sister Connie, as she was fondly known in her church community, was a beacon of joy and faith, greeting everyone with a radiant smile that mirrored the love of Christ. She was a devoted wife to her husband, Dan Oliver, and together they walked a path of love and partnership that stood as a testament to the sacred vows they shared. As a mother, she poured her love and wisdom into her children, Wade and his wife Nicole, Megan and her husband Brent, and Danelle and her husband Nathan, nurturing them with the same strength and tenderness she inherited from her own parents.
Her role as Nana to her beloved grandchildren – Alexa, Breydan, Nolan, Rayna, Collin, Kelby, and Paisley – was one she cherished most deeply. The legacy of her love will continue to blossom in their hearts, each one carrying a spark of her spirit into the future.
Connie’s love extended beyond her family into her community. She was a steadfast participant in Bible study, where her insights and devotion inspired many. Her presence at church was a constant source of comfort, her welcoming demeanor embodying the warmth and inclusivity of her faith.
Her zest for life was evident in her hobbies, which included bike riding through the countryside, feeling the wind in her hair and the sun on her face. Summers found her swimming in her pool, her laughter mingling with the splashing water, creating ripples of joy that touched all who were near. Connie’s hands were as green as the gardens she tended, each flower and plant a testament to her patience and care.
Camping under the stars, she would often recount the wonders of God’s creation, instilling a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world in all who accompanied her on these treasured family excursions.
To say Connie was loving and friendly would be to capture but a glimpse of her essence; she was indeed faith-filled, her life a living sermon of love, service, and compassion. Her spirit was a guiding light that shone brightly, even in the darkest of times, and her absence will be felt deeply by all who were blessed to know her.
As we bid farewell to Connie Sue Oliver, let us not dwell in the valley of sorrow, but rather climb the mountain of fond memories she has left us. Let us celebrate the love she gave so freely and the faith that kept her steadfast. Though her physical presence is no longer with us, her spirit continues to embrace us, reminding us that love is eternal and that those who believe shall find comfort in the arms of the Lord.
Connie, we thank you for the time you shared with us, for the lessons you taught, for the love you gave, and for the light you brought into our lives. You have run the race, you have kept the faith, and now the crown of righteousness is yours. Rest well, dear sister in Christ, until we meet again at the heavenly gates, where there shall be no more night, no more pain, no more tears, only the everlasting joy of the Lord’s presence.
Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch, MI will begin on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Faith Alive Church in West Branch on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Chad Deerman will officiate. Her memorial luncheon will immediately follow at the Faith Alive Event Center 601 Progress St.
A private burial will be at Edwards Township Cemetery in West Branch, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the family of Connie Oliver.
May God’s perpetual light shine upon you, and may your soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
