Roy V. Staley
Roy V. Staley, 84, of Coleman, joyously ran into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026 following a sudden cardiac arrest at his home. Roy was born July 12, 1942 in Midland, the son of the late Bernard and Marita (Huss) Staley. He was raised on the family farm with his two sisters, Barb and Pam, and brother, Bob, and attended Coleman schools.
Roy married the love of his life, Linda K. Vannest, on Jan. 28, 1967 in Gladwin.
They were married for 59 years and were completely devoted to each other and to their family. They were virtually inseparable, particularly following Roy’s retirement. Together, Roy and Linda raised their children, Troy and Lorinda, with endless love and a deep faith in the Lord. To them, God and family were everything, and it was evident in the way they lived their lives and raised their family.
Roy had an incredibly strong work ethic throughout his life. As a young boy, he milked cows at his family farm. At the age of 16, Roy started working at Robinson Industries. He graduated from Central Michigan University in 1964, earned a Master’s degree in 1967, and began his career as a business teacher in 1968. He retired from the Meridian Public Schools in 1997 after 29 years of service. While teaching, he also raised pigs and grew strawberries. As he neared retirement, he began growing tomatoes and other produce and did so for the past 29 years, generously giving the proceeds to his granddaughters for their college education funds.
Roy loved the Lord with all his heart, and he and Linda taught their children to love the Lord as well.
He faithfully attended the Beaverton Church of the Nazarene, along with Linda, and their children and granddaughters.
Everyone who knows Roy and Linda know that the greatest joy of their lives is their three granddaughters: Gracie, Olivia, and Rachel.
To their granddaughters, they were “Bop and Grandma”. To Bop and Grandma, their granddaughters were “the girls” and they were their whole world. They were completely and totally devoted to them, never missing a ball game, track meet, cross country meet, school event, or church program.
They took absolute delight in everything they did and gave them one of the very best gifts grandparents can give: time. And even more importantly, they gave them a legacy of faith in Jesus.
Roy and Linda enjoyed attending church together with their whole family, camping at Grand Marais and Manistique, fishing, hunting, taking family trips to Dollywood, visiting friends at the Old Brick Bakery and Coffeehouse in Coleman, and attending Sunday School at their dear friend Mary Geeck’s home.
Roy is survived by his beloved and devoted wife, Linda of Coleman; his son and best friend, Troy and Shelly Staley of Coleman; his much loved daughter, Lorinda and Tom Dubay of Coleman; and his precious and beloved granddaughters: Grace Staley, Olivia Dubay, and Rachel Dubay.
He is also survived by his brother, Robert and Marcy Staley of Coleman; sisters: Barbara Zietz and Pamela and Donald White of Gladwin; brothers-in-law: Byron Vannest of Gladwin, and Mike and Karen Steinkraus of Gladwin; sisters-in-law: LaNeel Vannest of Midland, Karen Vannest of Appleton, WI; and Susan Vannest of Gladwin; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by brothers-inlaw, Timothy Zietz, Wayne Vannest, Harold Vannest, Dennis Vannest, and Mark Vannest, and sister-in-law, Janet Vannest.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026 at the Beaverton Church of the Nazarene, with Rev. Martin Hodge officiating. Burial took place in the Warren Township Cemetery, Coleman. Friends attended the visitation at O’Laughlin Funeral Home, Inc. on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. and at the church on Monday starting at 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorials are suggested to the Beaverton Church of the Nazarene.