Muriel Paananen Deering, 98, went to see the Lord peacefully on May 23, 2019. She was predeceased by her husbands Rev. Wilho Paananen and Bob Deering.
She was born in Calumet, Michigan, was a graduate of Whittenberg University and the University of Toledo, and for many years was a biology and chemistry teacher at Fostoria High School, Fostoria, OH. After retirement, she moved to Florida in 1982, and to Waterman Village in 2014. She was a world traveler, guardian ad litem, and a juried water color artist. She had 7 children: Dorothy Cornell, Zephyrhills, FL.; Julianna Lintz, Clearwater, FL.; Viji Paananen, Anandale, VA.; Zoan Smart, Ontario, Canada; and Tom Paananen, Mt. Dora, FL. Two daughters, Willa Gonce, Columbus, OH.; and Elizabeth May, Palm Harbor, FL., have passed away. Across the US and Canada, she leaves 19 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 20 great great grandchildren. Her grandaughter Wendy Simpson and great grandsons Robert Simpson and Kirk Simpson live in Mt. Dora, FL.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Mt. Dora, FL. Services will be held on Tuesday, May 28, at 11:00 A.M. at Waterman Village Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice or the Scholarship Fund at First United Methodist Church, Mt. Dora, FL. She will be buried in Calumet, MI.