Obituary for Richard L. Wantland
On Monday, March 9, 2020, Richard L. Wantland, loving husband, father, brother and grandpa, passed away at age 79 after a short battle with cancer. He was spirited and strong during his fight. He is missed beyond words by his family.
Richard was born on June 22, 1940 in Sterling, IL to Lloyd and Dorothy (Ledbetter) Wantland. He had two sisters, Shara and Sue. He received his bachelor's degree from Ferris State and spent the majority of his career in manufacturing operations management at General Motors and then Delphi Automotive in Saginaw, MI. On December 15, 1962, he married Kay Beth Knight of Mt. Pleasant. They raised two daughters, Kim (55) and Carrie (52).
Richard took his family to Spain for nearly four years on assignment from General Motors to start a new plant in Cadiz, on the Southern coast. Together they traveled to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Portugal. Richard and his family cherished these memories for years to come. Over his lifetime, he was known for his quick wit and jovial spirit. He knew how to dish it out, but he also knew how to take it. Friends and family know this well. He lived a simple, humble life and always put his family first.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd, his mother, Dorothy and sister Sue.
He is survived by his wife Kay, his two children, Kim Huetteman of Allen Park and Carrie Wright (husband Lindsay) of Oxford, and sister Shara Miller of Jackson with her three children, Carole, Tammy and Tommy. He also leaves behind his grandchildren who loved him immensely, Samantha Rice (husband Bram), Sara Huetteman, Caitlin Wright, and Nick Wright. Richard also welcomed two great grandchildren into this world from Samantha, Ivan (3 years) and Logan (5 months).
Richard has been cremated and there will be a celebration of life party for him planned in the Spring just as he would want. Details will be shared with friends and family at that time. If you wish to donate to the American Cancer Society in Richard's name, the family would welcome that in his honor.
Richard was born on June 22, 1940 in Sterling, IL to Lloyd and Dorothy (Ledbetter) Wantland. He had two sisters, Shara and Sue. He received his bachelor's degree from Ferris State and spent the majority of his career in manufacturing operations management at General Motors and then Delphi Automotive in Saginaw, MI. On December 15, 1962, he married Kay Beth Knight of Mt. Pleasant. They raised two daughters, Kim (55) and Carrie (52).
Richard took his family to Spain for nearly four years on assignment from General Motors to start a new plant in Cadiz, on the Southern coast. Together they traveled to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Portugal. Richard and his family cherished these memories for years to come. Over his lifetime, he was known for his quick wit and jovial spirit. He knew how to dish it out, but he also knew how to take it. Friends and family know this well. He lived a simple, humble life and always put his family first.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd, his mother, Dorothy and sister Sue.
He is survived by his wife Kay, his two children, Kim Huetteman of Allen Park and Carrie Wright (husband Lindsay) of Oxford, and sister Shara Miller of Jackson with her three children, Carole, Tammy and Tommy. He also leaves behind his grandchildren who loved him immensely, Samantha Rice (husband Bram), Sara Huetteman, Caitlin Wright, and Nick Wright. Richard also welcomed two great grandchildren into this world from Samantha, Ivan (3 years) and Logan (5 months).
Richard has been cremated and there will be a celebration of life party for him planned in the Spring just as he would want. Details will be shared with friends and family at that time. If you wish to donate to the American Cancer Society in Richard's name, the family would welcome that in his honor.