Eleanor Penny Menz

Eleanor C. "Penny" Heystek Menz, 92, died peacefully at Bronson Hospital in Battle Creek on Wednesday, April 24, 2013.
She was born November 27, 1920 in Flint to Joseph J. and Shirley Stoddard Heystek. Eleanor was graduated in 1939 from Flint High School, attended Albion College for two years. At the outbreak of World War II, she enrolled in the Henry Ford School of Nursing, receiving her diploma from the hand of Henry Ford. Eleanor spent an additional semester studying Public Health at the University of Michigan before joining the U.S. Army. She served at Percy Jones General Hospital in Battle Creek, as well as assignments in the Chicago area, and was discharged as a second lieutenant in December, 1946. Eleanor then completed her college education at Kalamazoo College and was licensed as a registered nurse. She worked for several years at Community Hospital in Battle Creek, leaving as Director of Nursing in 1952. From 1963 to 1965 she was the director of the practical nursing program at Kellogg Community College. Eleanor then took additional coursework to be designated as a psychiatric nurse and worked at the VA Hospital for many years, retiring in 1982.
Eleanor married Edwin R. Menz on June 5, 1948, in the garden at her aunt and uncle's farm in Joppa Corners, MI. Surviving are a son, Richard Charles (Karen) Menz of Boise, ID; three grandchildren, Sara Menz of Los Angeles, CA, Ellen (Zev) Kronenberg of Salt Lake City, UT, and Evan (Jessica) Menz of Kalamazoo; a sister, Ellen Wheaton of Traverse City; a sister-in-law, Joann Heystek; a daughter-in-law, Lynda Menz-Latshaw; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, Robert Edwin Menz.
Eleanor was a member of the First Congregational Church, joining in 1954. She was a member Mary Daniels Circle and a fifty year+ member of P.E.O Chapter CA. Eleanor served on the boards of the Emily Andrus Senior Residence Home and the Visiting Nursing Service for many years. She believed in supporting the people of her community, and worked hard to better the lives of all she met.
Eleanor's hobbies included knitting, bridge, dancing, gardening and genealogy. She was an avid traveler, and she and Ed enjoyed many trips around North America and Europe. She loved her large, extended family, and described herself as fortunate to have had such a wonderful family and so many friends.
A memorial service will be held for Eleanor and Edwin on Saturday, May 11, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, Miller Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Charitable Union, P.E.O. Chapter CA in support of their philanthropic programs, or a charity of your choice.