Obituary of Cynthia Lea Dingus

Cynthia Lea Dingus was born on October 4, 1953 in Carrollton, Illinois. She was one of two daughters born to the union of Kenneth and Wanda (Cummings) Guthrie. She was raised by her beloved step father and mother; Charlie and Wanda Larkin.  Cynthia attended Bedford High School, graduating with the class of 1971.  

On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1990 in Toledo, Ohio Cynthia married. Jimmie Dingus and together the couple were blessed to raise five children; Holly, HoneyLove, Crystal, Brittany and Phillip.  She worked in housekeeping and radiology at Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe, Michigan for several years before retiring in 2006.

Cynthia was an avid bingo player, taking time to catch a game wherever she could, but loved the games with the biggest jackpots and enjoyed spending time with her “Bingo Buddies” and "Summer Sisters".  She enjoyed crocheting, paintings by Thomas Kincaid, and shopping on amazon.  She was always excited to see her amazon driver pulling up in front of the house.  She appreciated the opportunity to help others in need and was often the first one willing to step up and take charge.  

Cynthia’s true love and passion in life was spoiling her grandchildren.  She was affectionately known as “Mimi’ by the grandchildren and “Kissie” by the great grandchildren. Whether she was kicking in to buy new school clothes, taking them to Disney and on other trips, or getting them snacks, Cynthia was a staple in their lives.  She was also proud to keep a healthy supply of cheese, fruit snacks, and juice boxes in her home for the loves of her life.  Another snack kept on hand was that of hot dogs.  Cynthia had a slight obsession for this delicatessen eating them cold and raw right out of the package.

Cynthia Lea Dingus, age 70 of Monroe, passed away on Monday; February 26, 2024 at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital. Her passing was preceded by her mother and step father: Wanda and Charlie Larkin; her biological father: Kenneth Guthrie; first husband: Paul Walentolski; her second husband of eighteen years: Harry James “Chip” Curley; a granddaughter: Lily Mills; step daughter; Penny Dingus; and two sisters: Mary Ellen Guthrie and Tammy Gay Fowler.

To cherish Cynthia’s memory she leaves her loving husband of thirty-four years: Jimmie Dingus of Monroe; four daughters: Holly (David) Bomay of Chelsea, Michigan, HoneyLove (Greg) Kontur of Monroe, Michigan, Crystal Curley (Charles Bussell) of Monroe, and Brittany Guthrie-Dingus of Monroe; a son: Phillip (Carol) Dingus of New Tazewell, Tennessee; a sister: Trula Larkin of Monroe; eleven grandchildren; and nineteen great grandchildren. 

Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 5:00pm on Friday; March 1, 2024, at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.  A Celebration of Cynthia’s Life will follow at 5:00pm also at Merkle’s with Father Michael Anagbogu of St. John the Baptist Church in Monroe officiating. Cremation will take place through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.

Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.