Justin Sleight

8/11/1922 – 7/28/2023
Byron Center
Justin Leroy Sleight, “Doc”, age 100, passed away July 28, 2023. He was born August 11, 1922 at the family farm near Laingsburg, Michigan. He was the second son of Rolan and Bernice Sleight. Justin was raised  in Laingsburg, and met Marjorie Wardell, the love of his life, at Albion College. Justin and Marjorie were married June 23, 1945. They were married 72 years and raised four children.

After serving in the Army and completing his residency, Justin established his Ophthalmology practice in Lansing. He helped organize and build the Lansing Medical-Dental Building, an occupant owned building.   His solo practice evolved into LO Eye Care with offices throughout mid-Michigan. Doc and Margie spent a year in the Bo Eye Clinic in Sierra Leone as volunteer Medical Missionaries, and he returned three more  times for a month each to work in the Kissey Eye Clinic in Freetown, S.L. As an Associate Professor and Clinical Professor of the M.S.U. College of Human Medicine Department of Surgery, he was also the  supervising Ophthalmologist for the State of Michigan examining Ophthalmologist for the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Justin was actively involved in Central United Methodist Church, serving on numerous committees as a member and/or chairperson and was contributory in the formation of Open Door Ministry of Downtown Lansing. He was on the Board of Trustees for Albion College 9 years and, with his brother Norman, established the Sleight Leadership Endowment. Community service in Lansing included Lansing Urban League,  The Greater Lansing Chamber of Commerce, Friends of CROP, a Citizens Task force of the Board of Education, and Mobile Meals. Doc served on committees of the Ingham County Medical Society, and the Michigan State Medical Society. Justin and Marjorie also enjoyed their many travels around the world and shared their adventures, often presenting for the Foster School Senior Travelogue programs. After living in Lansing for over 60 years, Justin and Margie moved to Byron Center, MI., a suburb of Grand Rapids, to be nearer their Michigan daughter and grandson’s family.

Justin is survived by his sons, Kenneth, (Mary Jane) Sleight and Stephen Sleight and his daughters, Barbara, (Larry) Wuertz and Carolyn LaBeau. He will also be missed by his 3 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren and 7 step-great-grandchildren, his brother, Stuart Sleight and many nieces/nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service and reception will be held Friday, August 11, 2023, at 10:00 am. at Byron Center United Methodist Church, 2490 Prescott St. SW. Byron Center, MI. Following a private interment, the family will host a reception at 3:00 pm at Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Foundation can be payable to the A. Raymond Kalliel Foundation at 1971 E.  Beltline Ave. NE, Suite 219, Grand Rapids, MI 49525.