Lawrence Emil Stoimenoff

Age 84, of Lansing, died Saturday, September 4, 2010, at his home after a long struggle with congestive heart failure.

Mr. Stoimenoff was born on February 16, 1926, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Stephan and Evdokia (Konstantinova) Stoimenoff. He had one older brother, Karl.

He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1944 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an aviation cadet; the war ended before he saw active service. He earned a B.A. in Mathematics from Western Michigan University in 1950 and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1951. He worked for the U.S. Geological Survey as a hydraulic engineer and hydrologist from 1951 to 1983. He became a licensed professional engineer in 1968.

He was married on December 27, 1955, to his beloved wife Bea (Villarreal). He was a gifted amateur photographer and gardener and created beautiful bonsai. He enjoyed reading, bird-watching, playing tennis and golf, watching U of M football, and spending time with his friends and family. He had beautiful manners and a great sense of humor, and he always noticed and appreciated the small details.

He is survived by his devoted wife Bea, daughter Lynne and son-in-law Gil Chesbro, son Blake and daughter-in-law Michelle, granddaughters Brooke and Allison Chesbro, grandsons Drew and Trevor Stoimenoff, sister-in-law Christina (Villarreal) Rodriguez, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Lansing. Burial will be at the Hillside Cemetery in Delta Township immediately following the service. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.