Obituaries

Denise Lynnann Toner, age 57, passed away March 24, 2025, at her parent’s home in Midland. Denise stayed strong and fought a good fight. Denise took her last trip and now is in the arms of Jesus Christ her Savior.

She was blessed with kind, gracious parents Durwood and Onilee Toner; her loving sister, Dawn (George) Moore; two wonderful nephews, Kyle (Haley) Moore and Justin Moore; great friends, Sue Syrstad, Denice Portice, Sandy Fountain, Kay Johnson, Dawn Frankel, Ann Bertram, Amy Zeboor, Michelle Brant, and many others; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Denise was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harry and Goldie Toner and Ora and Berniece King both from Midland, as well as several uncles, aunts, and cousins.

God helped Denise achieve many accomplishments during her lifetime: Denise attended Bullock Creek High School where she played volleyball, basketball, coronet in the band and graduated as a salutatorian in 1986. She then went to Michigan Technological University, graduating in 1990. She belonged to the sorority Phi Delta Xi where she made many longtime friends. Following this, Denise pursued a lifelong dream to be a dentist and became a Doctor of Dentistry from the University of Michigan Dental School in 1994. She started her career working for Dr. Richard Morrison in Pickford, Michigan, in 1994. After Dr. Morrison sold the office to Dr. Scott Elsey, Denise stayed with the practice for a total of thirty years and loved it.

Denise attended Gordonville United Methodist Church while she was growing up. She was a member of Pickford Global Methodist Church and went with her parents to Aldersgate Global in Midland when she was there.

Denise loved to travel and had been to all the states except Hawaii. She liked planning and giving mystery parties at her house with friends. She went fishing with her father and also belonged to a Red Hat group in Midland.

Denise had trials and errors and some steep hills and low valleys she traveled. God changed those into one of her greatest accomplishments: This is when her faith grew – like a tree with deep roots – that has withstood the storms and not wavered in the wind.

This is not the end, as the bible reads: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. 2Peter 3:8-9

So, until we meet again. She will see you in a few seconds.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 26, 2025, at the Pickford Global Methodist Church, 115 E. Church St., Pickford, MI 49774. The Memorial Gathering is 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM with the Memorial Service at 11:00 AM.

Denise requested in lieu of flowers to give donations to Diane Peppler, Resource Center, P.O. Box 698, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.