Delores Lucille (Leach) Baynum

Delores "Dee" Lucille Baynum, age 90, of Spring Lake, passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital.

Dee was born on June 13, 1935, in Steubenville, Ohio, to the late Kelly and Lillian (Cummings) Leach. On August 4, 1956, she married the love of her life, Pastor Ralph V. Baynum, in Wellston, Ohio, and together they shared 69 wonderful years of marriage.

A dedicated nurse, Dee graduated from the nursing program at Milford Memorial Hospital in Milford, Delaware. Her compassionate career spanned several hospitals, including Mt. Sinai Hospital in Miami, Florida; Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, Florida; and Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She eventually settled in Michigan and joined the staff at North Ottawa Community Hospital in 1975, where she served until her retirement.

A woman of deep faith, Dee was a longtime member of All Shores Wesleyan Church in Spring Lake. She faithfully supported her husband's ministry there for 22 years until his retirement in 1997. In addition to her role as a devoted pastor's wife, Dee served in caring and children's ministries, quietly offering her time and love to others.

Dee's greatest joy was her family. She loved nothing more than watching her children and grandchildren grow and thrive, attending their events and cheering them on in every stage of life. After retiring, she and Ralph spent their winters in Stuart, Florida, where Dee embraced her love of sunshine and the beach. Even in retirement, she continued her calling as a caregiver, becoming the "unofficial nurse" to many seniors in their condo communities, both in Florida and Spring Lake.

Those who knew Dee will remember her as a woman of warmth, loyalty, quiet strength, deep wisdom, and unwavering kindness. She lived with a generous heart and a steadfast spirit, offering love and support without hesitation. Throughout her life's journey, she left a gentle, lasting imprint on countless lives -and because of her, we are all richly blessed.

Dee is lovingly survived by her devoted husband, Pastor Ralph Baynum; her three children: Debbie (Richard) Stinehart and Lisa (J.P.) DeLass, both of Spring Lake, and Kathy (Scott) Levandoski of Grand Haven; her cherished grandchildren: Kevin (Michelle) Stinehart, Alyssa (Chris) Hartley, Joel (Betty) DeLass, Jessica (Justin) Greeno, Max (Nicole) Levandoski, Lilyana Levandoski, and Byung Jeong; and great-grandchildren: Mora and Emy Stinehart, Evy and Jacky DeLass, Emmett Hartley, and Nora and Margot Greeno. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her three sisters: Juanita Hesser, Iela Lum, and Marion Hughes; and her brother, Kelley Dale Leach.

A Celebration of Dee's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at All Shores Wesleyan Church in Spring Lake, with Pastors Marilyn Hontz and Peter Yoshonis officiating. Visitation will take place on Friday, August 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. Interment will be at Spring Lake Township Cemetery.

Dee loved bright, joyful colors, so we invite you to celebrate her life by wearing your most vibrant and cheerful colors to her celebration of life.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ralph and Dee Baynum Scholarship Fund c/o Indiana Wesleyan University (4201 S. Washington St., Marion, IN, 6953) or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

** To give online to the Ralph and Dee Baynum Scholarship Fund c/o Indiana Wesleyan University, click the link below and under the Resources tab, there is an option to “Give”  Choose Give online and type in "Baynum Scholarship" at the designation. 

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