Judith Elaine Dunbar

Judith Dunbar ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Lauer Family Funeral Home Affordable Cremation Solutions Jackson - Jackson on Mar. 10, 2026.Judith Elaine Dunbar, age 86, of Lansing, Michigan, passed away peacefully at McLarenGreater Lansing on 26 February 2026, with her daughter, Robin, keeping loving vigil at her side.She was the daughter of Jay Ernest and Doris Irene (Minnich) Stratton. Who married on 6 June1926 in Napoleon, Ohio. Following her father's work, she attended several schools during herchildhood. She began attending Sunday school in 1942 in Coldwater, Ohio. From 1945 to 1947,she attended Greensboro Elementary School in Greensboro, Maryland. Later she attendedschools in Coshocton, Ohio, from 1948 to 1955. She eventually attended Delta High School inDelta, Ohio in 1958. She married Robert Bruce Dunbar on 8 March 1958, at First PresbyterianChurch in Junction City, Kansas. Where he was stationed at nearby Fort Riley. They laterdivorced in the late 1970s. She spent most of her life working as a waitress, a job she trulyenjoyed because it allowed her to meet and serve so many people in her community. For 18years she worked at Don's Truck Stop, located at 7262 Lansing Road in Dimondale, Michigan.She became a familiar and friendly face to many of the regular customers who stopped in overthe years. When the truck stop eventually closed, she continued her work at Cracker Barrel OldCountry Store at 608 Commercial Drive in Lansing, Michigan, where she carried on the samewarm spirit of service, until her retirement. She was known to family and friends as Judy andlater as "J.D." The nickname began during her time at Cracker Barrel, when there were twoJudy's working there. To avoid confusion, she took the name J.D., a nickname that stayed withher among friends and coworkers. During the 1970s and 1980s, she also sold Avon, somethingshe greatly enjoyed because it gave her the opportunity to meet neighbors and make manyfriendships. She took great pleasure in tending her flower garden and watching the birds, bees,and squirrels that it attracted. She was a longtime fan of the Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers,cheering for them long before it was "cool." She also proudly supported the Notre Dame FightingIrish and the University of Michigan Wolverines. Good-naturedly accepted the ribbing that camewith it. She was preceded in death by her Parents Doris Irene on 24 Aug 1954 in Coshocton,Ohio. Her father Jay Ernest who on 29 Dec 1996 in Wauseon, Ohio. Her step-mother Bernice P.(Frech) Stevenson on 13 March 2002 in Wauseon. They had gotten married 18 Dec 1954 inWauseon. Her sisters- Darla Ann Beildman who passed 25 Aug 1974 in Toledo, Ohio. Whomarried John W, on 12 June 1973 in Lucas Co, Ohio. Coralee Mae Hoste who passed 19 Aug2013 in Wauseon, Ohio. She married Julius Gerald "Herb" Hoste on 14 April 1956 in Wauseon;he passed 16 Nov 2017 in Toledo, Ohio Her cousin - Candace Lynn "Candee" (Hoste) Fruth,Davis who passed on 28 July 2019 in Toledo, Lucas Co, Ohio. Married Cloyce Brock Fruth on10 Jan 1970 in Wauseon. They later divorced on 6 Sept 1972 in Fulton Co, Ohio. She latermarried James Davis on 8 July 1977 in Fulton Co, Ohio. He passed 3 Sept 2022 in Delta, Ohio.Her husband - Robert Bruce Dunbar who passed 13 Nov 2020 in Lansing, Mi. She will belovingly remembered by her family: her children, Robin Marie Dunbar of Lansing, Michigan;Robert Jay Dunbar and his wife, Michelle Sue (Cassada) Dunbar, of Leesville, South Carolina,who were married October 29, 1993, in Lansing, Michigan. Their children Megan Elizabeth andMadison Elaine, and her son Tommy Bradley Nicholas; Victor Lee Dunbar and his children,Aiyana Lee and Ezra John. Also her 4 footed child Smokie. She is also survived by her nephew,David Scott Hoste and his wife, Cheryl Lynn (Tice) Hoste, of Wauseon, Ohio. Their childrenTyson Scott Hoste of Wauseon, Ohio; Troy Thomas Hoste and his wife Emily Kathleen Hoste;and Tessa Christine Hoste and her husband Jacob William Bruner, of Wauseon, Ohio; andCandace son Jason Brock Fruth. She will be dearly missed but forever cherished in the heartsof all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory .. Or plant flowersor feed the birds Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter https://ac.ingham.org/ Boys Townhttps://liftwithboystown.org/ St. Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.