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August 5, 2012

Reva Lavon Bales

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TRAVERSE CITY — Reva Lavon Bales, of Traverse City, passed away Aug. 2, 2012. Reva was born on Aug. 6, 1910, in Jamestown, Ohio, on the family's farm, to the late John Andrew and Novia Gaylor (Irvine) Robison.

She attended the Bowersville Schools, and upon graduation from high school she worked as a doctor's assistant until her marriage to Ferdinand Finley Bales on Oct. 1, 1936.

The early years of marriage were spent in several Midwest towns where her husband was the station manager for Pennsylvania Railroad. They transferred to Kalamazoo, where they raised their sons, John and Dan. While living there Reva worked at Gilmore's Department Store until the move to Traverse City in 1964, where she had her favorite job in the women's better sportswear at Milliken's until her retirement at age 82.

Reva was a true lady, having an overwhelming devotion to her faith, family and friends. She was an active and devoted member of Central United Methodist Church, where she was honored to be named "Woman of the Year." Her boys and their families were the joy of her life, and she was always their strongest advocate.

Always a busy lady, she loved caring for her home and garden, traveling with friends and family and always loved the challenge of a good bridge game. The highlight of every year was the gathering of family and friends in Traverse City for her birthday each August.

Reva is survived by sons, John (Mary) Bales, of Traverse City, and Daniel (Carole) Bales, of Romulus; grandchildren, Robert Bales, Brian (Fumiko) Bales, Rebecca (John) Montroy, Thomas (Jillian) Bales and Melinda (Robert) Howell; and great-grandchildren, Meredith Howell, Caroline Howell, Joshua Montroy, Katherine Lavon Montroy, Sera Bales, Talbot Bales, Morgan Novia Bales and May Elizabeth Bales.

Reva was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brother, Vernon Robison; and sisters, Hazel Pendleton, Marjorie Robison and Dorothy Cooke.

Reva will long be remembered for her wealth of knowledge, wisdom, strong will and love for others and life ... an inspiration to many who knew her.

The funeral celebrating Reva's life will take place on what would have been her 102nd birthday, Monday Aug. 6, 2012, at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Visitation will also be held today, Aug. 5, 2012, from 1 to 5 p.m., at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Interment will take place at a later date at Glen Forest Cemetery in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Central United Methodist Church Sanctuary Audio Enhancement for the Hearing Impaired.

Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family.

The family is being served by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

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