Timothy John Laden was peacefully called home by his Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, July 31, 2023, with his loving family nearby.
Tim was born April 17, 1948, in Melrose Park (Chicago), IL to loving parents Francis (Frank) Charles Laden and Violet Bernadette Clement Laden. And most of Tim’s formative years were spent in Hinsdale, IL, just outside of Chicago where he grew up with two brothers and a sister. Those years were full of family, church, and just about every midwestern sport imaginable — playing and watching. He was quite the athlete and played them all! His father, while working toward his dream job with the FCC in Washington DC, moved the family four times which resulted in Tim attending four different high schools. He graduated from Everett Highschool in Lansing, Michigan, and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Michigan State University.
He began a management career in the trucking industry in the 70’s and transitioned to real estate appraising in the 90’s. He was First Vice President of Appraisal with Standard Federal Bank, and VP & Detroit District Mgr. with, and retiring from, Bank of America. He returned to work soon afterward serving as Chief Appraiser for Dart Appraisal in Troy, MI.
Tim met the love of his life, Marsha, and the two were married Aug. 29, 1987. Ten days before their wedding, Tim took to heart the call of Jesus on his life and began to follow Him thereafter. Over the years, Tim was involved in many church roles including deacon, youth leader and bible study facilitator and was a member of Woodside Bible Church of Troy for the last 22 years.
His great joy was becoming dad to daughter Meredith Elaine and to son Michael John, and then, Grandpa to Jude Burton and Otis Timothy. He believed his family was a precious gift from God, and he loved them well.
Besides enjoying time spent with immediate and extended family, he enjoyed cycling, sports, travel, jazz, a good meal, Bible study, friends and humor.
Tim will be missed for his easy-going and laid-back demeanor, quick-witted humor, integrity, contagious smile and his loving nature. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank & Violet Laden and greatly missed by his children Meredith (Thaddaeus) Groat and Michael (Gracie) Laden; his grandchildren, Jude Burton Groat and Otis Timothy Groat. Also missed by his siblings Patrick (Sue) Laden, Kenneth (Paulette) Laden, and Nancy (Richard) Abernathy; nephews Brian (Nancy) Laden, Kevin (Ryann) Laden, David (Dianne) Laden and Christopher (Liza) Green; nieces Kara (Will) Oare, and Nena Abernathy; and many other family members and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 26, at Woodside Bible Church located at 6600 Rochester Rd, Troy, MI 48085. Visitation will be from 10am to 11am, and memorial service begins at 11am. Family and friends are welcome to share a meal immediately after the service at the same location. Family only for internment held at a later date at Oakview Cemetery in Royal Oak, MI. In lieu of flowers, and for those who’ve asked, please consider giving to the Akha House of Light which provides food, clothing, a safe place to live, and the love of Christ to abandoned or at-risk children in Thailand. Checks may be made payable to Woodside Bible Church and sent to the address above (please note gift is in memory of Tim Laden). Or you may go online at www.woodsidebible.org/give. Tim traveled twice to the House of Light serving on a medical/dental missions trip and the children at the orphanage were near and dear to his heart.
While we grieve his passing, with our grief comes the lightness of hope for followers of Christ. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24
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