Glenna Lou Happel

Glenna Lou (Carlin) Happel, 99, of Centreville, MI, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, in her own home.

She was born on March 27, 1925, in White Pigeon, MI, to Cecil Glenn and Nora LaBeaulah (Barnhart) Carlin.

Glenna graduated from Centreville High School in 1943 and was the last survivor from her class. She worked at the courthouse on the draft board. On September 20, 1945, she married Joseph Happel, who was the love of her life. Together, they raised four children.

Glenna loved to flower garden, sew, paint and upholster. She was a past 4-H leader for sewing and cake decorating.  She was known to many as the “Stanley Lady” selling home products for many years. In the early 1960s, she started decorating cakes for birthdays and shortly thereafter went to Wilton Cake Decorating School and began making wedding cakes. She made and decorated hundreds of cakes until 2021, with her last wedding cake for her granddaughter. 

Glenna was a past president and honorary lifetime member of the Mendon Women’s Club. 

She dearly loved her family, friends and flowers, and no one was a stranger for long, in her presence.

Surviving are two sons, Thomas (Martha) Happel of Chatham, MI, and  Donald (Gail) Happel of Ozark, AL; a daughter, Patricia (Scott) Adams of Centreville, MI; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Glenna was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; her husband, Joseph; and their daughter, Pamela Barnes. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Monday, November 18, 2024 at St. Clare Catholic Church, 23126 M-86, Centreville, MI.  A luncheon will follow Mass. A private interment will be held at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon, MI, for family and friends. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Clare Ladies Guild, C/O Immaculate Conception Church, 645 S Douglas Avenue, Three Rivers, MI 49093.

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with her care.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Glenna Lou Happel, please visit our floral store.