Dayla Delain Mackinder

Dayla Delain (Nutting) Mackinder, age 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Evergreen Senior Care Center, Battle Creek. Dayla was born June 26, 1935, to the late William and Elva Nutting in Bangor, Michigan. On July 17, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry, who preceded her in death. 

Dayla was never still. She was a 4-H leader, a secretary to two optometrists, transplanted for Posthumus Bros. Greenhouses for over 30 years, worked in the celery fields, and was the breakfast hostess at the local Hampton Inn. She was a member of Portage Chapel Hill UMC for 60 years, and a loving caregiver to Larry for over 25 years. She enjoyed watching her grandsons play sports and her granddaughter dance and sing. She loved gardening, traveling with both daughters’ families, tending her blueberries, shopping, and she was a wonderful cook. She was famous for her homemade donuts, apple pie squares, and cinnamon apples. 

Dayla is survived by her daughters, Tonda (Leon) Dimond and Tammy (Terry) Ridenour; granddaughter, Deanne (Brent) Austin; grandsons, Travis (Ashlee) and Tyler Ridenour; great-grandchildren, Clayton and Makayla Austin and Ellie Hinch; sisters-in-law, Ann Mackinder and Ruth Ann Nutting, brother-in-law, Ron Prentice, many nieces & nephews, and special friends, Susie and Clare Kuiper and Carolyn Sopher. 

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; step-parents; two brothers, Dwight and Darold; and her sister, Daliene.

According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and a private burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Dayla’s guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The Mackinder family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002. 269-344-5600