Juanita June O'Rourke

Juanita June (Cryderman) O'Rourke, age 84, entered her eternal heavenly home on June 15, 2026, following a two year battle with the effects of multiple mini-strokes that led to vascular dementia.

Juanita was born on August 11, 1941, in Coopersville, Michigan, to Phillip William and Alice Estelle (Hillard) Cryderman. She was raised in Ravenna alongside her siblings, Ronald, Phillip Jr., Mildred, and Julie. She graduated from Coopersville High School in 1959.

Throughout her life, Juanita was known for her strong work ethic and determination. She worked for General Telephone in Muskegon and later at General Motors Fisher Body, where skills she developed through 4-H sewing helped her secure a position sewing vehicle seats. After moving north to Gaylord, she worked at the Alpine Center before retiring from United Parcel Service (UPS) after twenty years of service. Juanita embraced life with enthusiasm and adventure. She shared her life with husbands Wayne Tazelaar, Donald Hanson, and Alfred O'Rourke. As a single mother for part of her journey, she faced life's challenges with strength and resilience always making the best of every circumstance. Juanita found joy in the Gaylord Alpenfest and the World's Largest Coffee Break, along with gardening, flowers, traveling, attending Old Engine Shows and garage sales.

Juanita loved Tiger baseball, Lions football, family game nights, league bowling, and hosting cherished Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas Eve gatherings for family. Following her retirement from UPS, she enjoyed spending winters in Florida as a snowbird. Throughout her life, Juanita attended Trinity Lutheran Church, Gaylord Community Church, Evangelical Free Church, and participated in church services at her Florida Community. Juanita was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary 1825, serving her lodge as both Madam President and Past Madam President. For six years Juanita was involved in girls' Little League Softball. In 1979, Juanita was manager when the Gaylord Senior girls team won the Little League World Series Championship in Waco, Texas.

Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred O'Rourke; her son, George Hanson; her parents, Phillip and Alice Cryderman; her sister, Mildred Cryderman, her brother, Ronald Cryderman, sister-in-law, Karen Cryderman, son-in-law, Michael Coonrod and her nieces, Janet Cryderman and Kerri (Irwin) Welch.

Juanita is survived by her loving children, Sharolyn Coonrod of Gaylord, Lorelei (Michael) Hunt of Gaylord, Joseph (Hilda) Tazelaar of Bartlesville, OK, and Donald (Tracy) Hanson of Clinton, TN; her siblings, Phillip Cryderman Jr. of Manhattan, Kansas, and Julie Kuras of Gaylord; her sister-in-law, Jerrie Cryderman of Muskegon; and step-daughters Maryann (Bill) Martindale of Johannesburg, and Connie (John) Nelson of Houghton Lake Heights; her grandchildren, Wayne (Val) Hunt, Daniel (Sara) Sevenski, Gabriel (Andrea) Sevenski, Lorelei (Travis) Hewitt, Stephanie Hunt, Justin (Amanda) Hunt, Nicholas Coonrod, Shayna (Christian) Breeden, Don (Kassy) Hanson, Shania (Joe) Singh, Marissa Tazelaar, Sarah (Troy) Oberlin, Brea Webb, Nathan (Bri) Ellison, Amanda (Andrew Field) Ellison, Brooklynne Michelle, Mathew (Ryleah) Thomas, Thaddeus (Taylor) Thomas, Travis (Linda) Thomas, Elizabeth (Michael) Phipps; thirty-one great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends, including her Florida friends Edward Vogt, Cheryl Orr, and John Souza.

Visitation will be held at The Hope, 1672 M-32 in Gaylord, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with funeral services taking place at 12:00 PM. For those not able to attend in person, the Memorial Service will be live streamed. The link is listed below. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Otsego County Animal Shelter.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on Juanita's guest book below.