Carol Leys

Carol Esther Leys, born July 14, 1934, in Grand Rapids, passed away on March 12, 2026, at the age of 91.

A lifelong member of the Carl A. Johnson American Legion Post #2 in Grand Rapids, Carol served as its president for several years. She also worked for 25 years as secretary at Northwest Kelloggsville School in Grand Rapids. After she and her husband, Don Leys, retired to Torch Lake, she became a cherished member of the northern Michigan communities. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #72 in Charlevoix for 18 years, volunteered extensively at Charlevoix Hospital, and was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Central Lake, where she gave countless hours of support. Carol also served as the driving force behind many Relay for Life events in Central Lake and worked at both Brownwood stores for about 10 years after moving north.

Her caring heart and kind spirit touched everyone who knew her. Carol will be deeply missed by her family and all whose lives she enriched.

She is survived by her three children, Raymond (Sandie) Leys of Kentwood, Donald Jr. (Lorie) Leys of Ellsworth, and Jill (Eugene) Scheidel of Belding; a half-brother, Gary (Judith) Burgess of Arizona; a half-sister, Irene Divel of Wyoming, Michigan; a sister-in-law, Judy Born’e of Colorado; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Donald Leys, and her parents.