Elaine Alta Piper

Elaine A. Piper, age 65, of Ithaca died Sunday, April 28, 2013 at Schnepp’s Healthcare Center in St. Louis.

Elaine was born December 19, 1947 to Ronald and Maxine (Proctor) Sanders in Alma, Michigan. She married Leslie Piper in July of 1974. He preceded her in death in 2003.

Elaine was employed at General Motors as a line worker and later as a team leader in Lansing for more than 30 years. She was a member of UAW Local #652 in Lansing. She loved old cars and shopping, especially at garage sales, and was a part-time Avon Representative. She was a person who will be remembered for going out of her way to help others. But the thing she loved most was to spend time with her grandchildren.

Elaine is survived by her sons, Chris (Autumn Allen) of Ithaca, Andy (Andrea) of St. Johns, and Jason. She is also survived by grandchildren Kaleb Coston, Marissa and Ayden Piper, and Heaven Piper; and brothers and sisters, Bonnie Medved, Terry Sanders, Larry Sanders, Gary Sanders, Cindy (Fred Piper) Sanders, and Wendy Sanders. She was preceded in death by her husband Les, and parents Ronald and Maxine.

Funeral services for Elaine will be 11am, Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Pastor Doug Strait will officiate and burial will follow at Collier Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 30, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the funeral home.