Eileen A. Lape

Eileen Alice Bradish Lape passed away peacefully at Orchard Creek Skilled Nursing Center, Traverse City, MI, on September 17, 2010. The family has been supported by the wonderful love and caring support of the Orchard Creek staff for the past seven years. Eileen was a kind lady and devoted wife, mother, friend, employer, and she will be missed deeply. Eileen was born on January 2, 1918, in Adrian, Michigan, and was a resident of Benton Harbor, Michigan for over 50 years. Eileen was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Leon Harley Lape, her parents, Harrison A. Bradish and Ruby Alberta (Quackenbush) Bradish; her in-laws, Harley James Lape and Harriett Davis Lape; her brother Leland Bradish. Eileen is survived by her four children and nine grandchildren: Jack and Marcia (Lape) Sizer of Richland, Michigan (Paul, Nancy, Karen, and David); Tom and Linda (Lape) Keeler of Waterford, Michigan (Michele and Sherry); Douglas and Betty Lape of Traverse City, Michigan (Anne and Mary): and Steven and Carole Lape of Francestown, New Hampshire (Matthew). She is also survived by her six great grandchildren: Megan, Katie, Erika, Graham, Riley, and Lila. Eileen graduated from Hillsdale High School and attended Hillsdale College for four years. She and her husband in 1954 started Lape Steel, Inc., in Benton Harbor, Michigan and spent her career as Vice President/Treasurer working with her husband to grow the business into one of the most respected steel warehousing service businesses in southwestern Michigan. Until the business was sold in 1995, Eileen remained active in the business. She was an innovator in the steel distribution industry developing “just-in-time delivery”, and “recycling of random steel” practices in the mid 1960's. Eileen was happiest with her husband and family by her side. She rarely missed an opportunity to be with her children and grandchildren, whether it was at a school activity or family gathering. She especially loved the adventure of traveling to over 85 countries and to all 50 states and will be remembered for her love of photographing her adventures. The Lape family will have a visitation from 11:00 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. Thursday, September 23, 2010 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, Michigan. Funeral services will be held immediately after at 11:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made in Eileen’s memory to Hospice of Michigan, Traverse City, or to their local church elder-care ministry. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guestbook online may do so at starks-menchinger.com.