Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Lansing

01/09/2026

We are honored to be serving the families who have recently entrusted us with the care of their loved ones. Each name represents a life remembered, a story cherished, and a family supported by friends and community.

Linda Spess Marx
Christopher Clark Ritter
Randy Joseph Riley
Theda Coula Herman
Trudy Jill Stewart
Miriam Keyes Celio
Margaret Jane Upp
Elaine Ann Poshedly

As loved ones gather in the days ahead for visitations and services, we hold every family in our thoughts and hearts. May each gathering bring comfort, shared memories, and moments of peace as stories are told and lives are celebrated.

For service details and obituary information, please visit our website, https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/michigan/east-lansing/gorsline-runciman-funeral-homes/7224
We are here for you, today and always.

01/09/2026

We want to share this with our community for anyone who may not have seen it yet. Dr. Patricia Herring Jackson, longtime Meridian Township leader and public servant, passed away on December 8.

Dr. Jackson was entrusted into our care through our East Lansing Chapel, and it was an honor to serve her family during this time.

A Celebration of Life for Dr. Jackson will be held on
January 26 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM
at Meridian Township Hall (5151 Marsh Road).

For nearly 25 years, Dr. Jackson served Meridian Township as Planning Commissioner, Trustee, and Township Supervisor. Her leadership, compassion, and dedication to public service left a lasting mark on this community.

We’re sharing this in case anyone would like the opportunity to attend, pay their respects, or pause to remember a life so meaningfully lived.

Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who are missing her.

Patricia Herring Jackson served Meridian Township for nearly 25 years as a planning commissioner, trustee and supervisor. See link below ⬇️ bit.ly/3LhxLh3

01/08/2026

Opening the Doors: The East Chapel Story (1962)

Part 2: Before the Doors Opened

Long before the East Chapel welcomed its first families, careful planning was already underway.

In the spring of 1962, construction began on what would become the Gorsline-Runciman East Chapel at 1730 East Grand River Avenue. From the earliest stages, the project reflected thoughtful intention... not simply to build a structure, but to create a space designed around comfort, flow, and quiet dignity.

Every element was considered: the layout of the chapel, private family areas, natural movement through the building, and details meant to support calm reflection. The work unfolded steadily throughout the year, guided by skilled local trades and a shared understanding of the chapel’s purpose within the East Lansing community.

By the time the doors opened in December 1962, the building already carried months of planning, craftsmanship, and care, foundations laid well before any dedication or gathering took place.

In our next post, we’ll share how the community was invited inside for the very first time.
---
Michigan History Magazine
Michigan History Center

01/08/2026

We are deeply honored to have been entrusted with the care of Randy Riley, Michigan’s State Librarian, whose life was devoted to public service, education, and access to knowledge for all.

Randy served as State Librarian from 2014 until his passing and dedicated more than three decades to the Library of Michigan, holding numerous roles throughout his career. His leadership and partnership with the Michigan Department of Education helped strengthen libraries and learning communities across the state, including here in East Lansing.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Randy’s family, colleagues, and the many individuals whose lives and work were shaped by his commitment and vision. It is a privilege to care for and honor those who have served our community so faithfully.

Randy’s full obituary and service information may be found here:

Celebrate the life of Randy Riley, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home.

01/08/2026

🎉 Employee Recognition Announcement 🎉
We are proud to announce that Katie Hammes has been named the Service Excellence Market Winner for West Michigan and Indiana.
In just one year with Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Katie has already made a profound impact. As the administrator at our DeWitt Chapel, she brings dedication, creativity, and compassion to everything she does. Katie is the talent behind our historical posts and many of the thoughtful graphics you see shared from our locations.
With a background in graphic design, Katie has found a meaningful way to blend her creative skills with her passion for caring for families. From creating heartfelt tributes for memory tables to updating forms for families and associates, her work consistently reflects care, respect, and attention to detail. Just as importantly, she is a calm, kind, and comforting presence for families during some of their most difficult moments.
Beyond the funeral home, Katie is actively involved in the DeWitt community. This year, she was the creative mind and designer behind our warming station at the DeWitt Winter Market—another example of her commitment to serving others.
We are incredibly grateful to have Katie on our team and are honored to celebrate her achievements with her husband and daughter. Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition from the entire Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home family.

01/07/2026

We are deeply honored to care for and support the family of Linda Spess Marx.
Linda’s life and legacy touched so many through her love of music and her lifelong connection to Michigan State University. Our hearts are with her family, friends, and the Spartan community as they mourn this profound loss.

It is with profound sadness that we share the sudden passing of Linda Spess Marx (age 70) on Monday evening, January 5, 2026. Linda collapsed during the MSU Alumni Brass performance at the Michigan State men’s basketball game versus USC at the Breslin Center. Her passing was unexpected and deeply felt by all who knew her.

Linda was a proud MSU alumna who attended Michigan State University from 1974 to 1977, served as principal horn of the MSU Symphony Band, and was a founding member of the MSU Strolling Spartans. She remained deeply connected to the Alumni Band and Spartan music community throughout her life.

She will be remembered for her strength, generosity, musical talent, and boundless energy. Her sudden passing leaves a profound void in the lives of her family, friends, colleagues, and the Michigan State University community she loved so deeply.

Linda is survived by her husband of 40 years, Gary Marx, and her daughter, Christy Marx.

—

Pictured is Linda (front row center) with the Strolling Spartans circa 1986, and Linda (left) with her friend Jan Kome McIntyre at an Alumni Brass event.

01/03/2026

At our East Lansing Chapel, we pause to honor and remember the lives of those currently entrusted to our care. Each name represents a life deeply loved and families holding meaningful memories close.

Please join us in keeping these families in your thoughts, prayers, and kindness:

• Elaine Ann Poshedly
• Ardis Anne Teed
• Maryanne Bulemore
• Elsie Mae Criss
• Jenny Taylor Bond
• Marla Mae Holle
• Kathryn Kay Kevern
• Hilda Mae Hawkins

It is our privilege to walk alongside these families with compassion, dignity, and care as they gather to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.

01/02/2026

Opening the Doors: The East Chapel Story (1962)
In late 1962, a new chapter quietly opened on East Grand River Avenue.

Designed to serve families in East Lansing with care, comfort, and dignity, the Gorsline-Runciman East Chapel reflected both thoughtful planning and a growing community’s needs. The colonial-styled building seated approximately 200 people and featured a circular drive and prominent front pillars — intentional details meant to create a sense of calm, order, and welcome from the moment families arrived.

From its opening in 1962 to today, in 2026, the purpose of this space has remained the same. More than six decades later, the East Chapel continues to serve families with the same commitment to presence, compassion, and respect that guided its original design.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more from the opening of our East Chapel — the planning, the people, and the community that helped bring it to life.

----
CADL Local History
The Friends of Lansing's Historic Cemeteries
The City of East Lansing

01/01/2026

The arrival of a new year offers a moment to pause, reflect, and look forward with hope. As we step into 2026, we extend our heartfelt wishes for peace and comfort to our East Lansing community - especially to those carrying remembrance in their hearts.

May the year ahead bring gentle moments, connection, and continued care for one another.

12/30/2025

As the year draws to a close, many in our community are carrying grief alongside hope. Some are finding strength, some are barely getting through, and some are slowly beginning to feel moments of peace again. Each experience is real. Each experience matters.

If your heart feels heavy moving into the new year, please remember that grief doesn’t have a timeline. It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to protect your heart. It’s okay to feel joy when it comes. And it’s okay to simply take things one day at a time.

You are surrounded by neighbors who understand. You are part of a caring East Lansing community. And you are not alone.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Gorsline Runciman East Lansing Chapel.
This season brings together memories, traditions, and moments of connection. We extend our heartfelt wishes for peace and comfort to our community, especially to those remembering someone they love during the holidays.

12/24/2025

“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” — Maya Angelou

Today, we pause with gratitude for the lives that continue to shape us through love, service, and memory. Even in loss, the connections we share endure — bringing comfort, reflection, and togetherness when we need it most.

Holding all who are remembering someone dear close in our thoughts.