Delores Louise Cornell

Delores Louise Cornell, 88 of Charlevoix, went to be with our Savior Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan.

Born in Lansing, Michigan on July 19, 1935, she was the daughter of Charles and Winifred (Abbott) Adams.  Delores grew up in Lansing, graduating from Lansing Sexton High School in 1953.

On March 7, 1953, Delores and Harry D. Cornell were united in marriage.  They recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.  They lived primarily in Portland, Michigan, where Delores was a homemaker and stay at home mom, raising four children.  Later, after the children were older, she went to work as a bus driver at Portland Schools.  In 1989 they moved north to Wolverine, and then to Charlevoix in 2016.

Delores was a dedicated member of Hope Lutheran Church in Portland, and later at Hope Lutheran Church in Indian River.

When their family was young, she enjoyed family camping trips.  She also enjoyed spending time outdoors, gardening, tending to her flowers, and watching butterflies and hummingbirds.

She was an accomplished crafter, painting often on ceramics and on wood crafts that Harry made, and she also enjoyed sewing.

Delores also loved music.  She played organ for many years in their church, and she played the accordion, making the difficult to play instrument look so easy.  She and Harry played in a band, the Maple Sugar Band, with several friends.  They played in northern Michigan, often in and around Gaylord, in parades, senior residences and other places.

Delores was also an active member of the Northern Michigan Antique Flywheelers Club where she could be found working in the Pie Shack with the ladies and on stage playing her accordion with the Maple Sugar Band during the annual shows.

Delores is survived by Harry, her husband of 70 years; a brother, Lynn (Margie) Adams of Lansing; daughters, Lynette (Al) Grams of Charlevoix, MI, and Vicki (John) Reed of Lyons, MI; sons, Brian (Kim) Cornell of Wenatchee, WA, and Kevin Cornell of Lyons, MI; grandchildren, Grant (Mason), Jacqueline (Jonathon), Chloie, Codee (Madison), Kevin Mitchell, Lindsay (Casey), Kreg (Kristen), Adam (Natalie), Kimber (Matt), Nick, Jim (Annette), Albert Jr., Jessica (Amanda), and Christopher (Jenni); 16 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Kenneth Adams.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Hope Lutheran Church, Indian River.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to Hope Lutheran Church, 6193 South Straits Hwy, Indian River, MI  49749.

The family would like to thank the staff at Grandvue Medical Care Facility for the excellent care provided to Delores, and her family.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com/obituaries/delores-cornell