Coleen June (Crooks) Blayden

Coleen June (Crooks) Blayden of Augusta, MI







Coleen, age 80, died Friday morning, August 29, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI, following a brief illness.


Coleen, the daughter of Harlow and Melvine (Girton) Crooks, was born on March 15, 1934 in Grand
Rapids, MI and was a graduate of Ottawa High School of Grand Rapids. She and her husband, Ken spent many hours in the saddle of their horses and on trips out West. They also enjoyed sailing, especially on Lake Michigan in the Pentwater area, where they spent the summers at their lakeside cottage surrounded by many loving friends. Coleen had volunteered for over 30 years at the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center of Augusta and was a member of the Gull Lake United Methodist Church in Richland.


Coleen was united in marriage to the love of her life, Kenneth L. "Ken" Blayden on July 9, 1955 in Grand Rapids, MI and he sadly preceded her in death just recently on June 24, 2014. Surviving are two daughters, Laura M. Rantz of Kalamazoo and Sandra L. Blayden of Big Fork, MT; her son, Scott A. Blayden of Kalamazoo; her four precious grandchildren, Stephanie (Jacob) Davidson, Garrett and Gavin Rantz and Hudson "Mac" Blayden and her brother, Dick (Fil) Crooks of Grandville, MI. Coleen was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Dale Crooks.


The Funeral Service to celebrate Coleen's life will be held on Thursday, September 4th at 2:00 p.m. at the Gull Lake United Methodist Church, 8640 Gull Road, Richland, MI 49083 with Rev. Dr. Mona K. Joslyn, Pastor, officiating. Immediately following the Funeral Service, family and friends are invited to continue Coleen's life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon at the The Dock at Bayview, 12504 East D Avenue, Richland 49083. The Blayden Family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 3rd from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89). Coleen will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Ken in Bedford (MI) Cemetery on Friday, September 5th at Noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Coleen's honor may be directed to the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, 8450 North 43rd Street, Augusta, MI 49012.