Obituary of Sandra Holdiman

Sandra Lee "Granny" Holdiman May 9, 1942 - June 4, 2012 Sandra Lee Carlton was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 9, 1942. She was the daughter of the late Lewis Carlton and the late Waneta (Shaffer) Carlton. Sandra married the love of her life Richard L. Holdiman in Huntington Beach, California on October 29, 1977. The two of them had a very special relationship, and Richard described Sandra as his best friend and buddy. Sandra had a heart of gold. She loved family and had a close relationship with her sisters. She would become a homemaker after her marriage and would raise the couple's three children cherishing her opportunity to stay home. She was a strong woman and since she was determined to have her own way could be feisty at times. She loved to decorate her home, cook for her family, and just putz around in the yard. Sandra had a passion for angels. The family would move to Michigan in 1993 after residing in California, Hawaii, and Illinois. Sandra Lee Holdiman passed away at 1:59am, Monday morning June 4, 2012. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by three brothers: Fred, Richard, and Ernest "Rusty", and a daughter: Trisha Lyn. To cherish her memory she leaves behind her beloved husband: Richard Holdiman of Newport; two daughters: Cherry Sue Reed of Luther and Kim (Jeff) Shwarz of Florida; a son: Herman Stachke of Alaska; four sisters: Shirley Szomolyai of Lincoln Park, Carol (Al) Kamin of Douglas, Arizona, Pat (Bill) Bank of New Boston, and Theresa (Jonathan) Pitock of Booklyn, MI; three brothers: Bill (Goya) Carlton of Douglas, Arizona, John Stevenson of Traverse City, and Michael Stevenson of Chicago; and two beloved grandchildren: Robert and Herman. Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm, Thursday, June 7, 2012 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 11:00am, Friday, June 8, 2012 also at Merkle's with Pastor Kenny Spain, Associate Pastor of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Procession will follow to Huron Valley Cemetery in Flat Rock for burial. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, make a donation, or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.