Valjeanne G. Denton, age 79, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Sunday at Mercy Health-St. Mary's Hospital.  The daughter of Donald & Vivian (Lewis) Denton, she was born on October 26, 1936 in Howard City and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

She retired from Villa Elizabeth Nursing Home and loved baseball (especially the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox), playing scrabble, and cats. 

She was preceded in death by her parents;  two husbands, Robert Eugene Benson and James Vernon Stryker;  two infant sons; a sister, Verlene Leslie;  and a son-in-law, Ray Dines. 

Surviving are her children, Debbie Dines of Stanton, Teresa Wollen of Grand Rapids, Cindy & David Lehman of Greenville, and Denise Stryker of Grand Rapids;  nine grandchildren;  seventeen great grandchildren (with three more on the way);  three sisters, Vicky & Leroy Paulen of Howard City, Vaun & Howard Conrad of Florida, and Venette Schafer of Tennessee;  two brothers, Patrick & Sharon Denton, and Richard & Connie Denton, all of Grand Rapids; numerous nieces and nephews; and  Marianne Wilson of Grand Rapids, treasured friend and confidant.

Visitation is from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday at Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday.  Pastor Kyle Ray of Kentwood Community Church will officiate and military honors, rendered by the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101, will conclude the ceremonies.  Envelopes for memorial contributions to Crash's Landing (a cat rescue) will be available at the funeral home. 

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Valjeanne's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit:  www.ChristiansenCares.com  Arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, honored provider of Veterans Funeral Care.