Lyell Frank Ludington, 83, of Stuart, Florida, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed peacefully from the Treasure Coast Hospice House in Stuart, Florida into the Gates of Heaven, shortly after sunrise on Monday, February 23, 2015.

Lyell was a New Year's Eve Baby born December 31, 1931 at home in Boone Grove, Indiana to Lester and Gladys (Greenlee) Ludington. He attended the Boone Groove School where he graduated from high school. He attended Purdue University before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He served four years in the Air Force(1951-1955); stationed in Morocco and Germany.

Lyell spent over forty years in the commercial insurance business. He owned his own insurance agency; The Ludington Insurance Agency in Kalamazoo. After retirement he relocated to Stuart. Lyell was an avid pilot, boater and musician. He was part owner of Kalamazoo Aviation. Many happy memories were made on his boat, "The Misty Blue", which was docked in Saugatuck, Michigan, for many years. Lyell was the First Commodore and Co-Founder of the Saugatuck Marine Yacht Club. The drums were Lyell's biggest passion. He started playing when he was ten years old. His musical career spanned participation in several orchestras and bands; including The Jolly Coachmen which played in the West Michigan area for over twenty-five years.

Lyell is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Louise (Bodrero) Ludington of Stuart; his daughters, Lana (Ludington)Murch and her husband Andy, of Fountain Hills, Arizona and Fennville, Michigan, and Lisa (Ludington) Locatis, and her husband Terry, of Stuart; four grandchildren, Eric Murch and his wife Charlene, Nikki Fonger and her husband Joshua, Kristen Vande Guchte and her husband Nathan, and Colin Murch and his wife Sara; and seven great-grandchildren; his sister Kay (Ludington) Poe and her husband Norm, of Columbus, Indiana; two nephews and three great nephews and nieces. Lyell is survived by many dear cousins and friends.

Lyell had a passion for life and love of people. He loved traveling and made friends wherever he went. During these past few years; he devoted time to assisting other seniors who had no family in the Stuart area.

A Service to Celebrate His Life will be held on Thursday, February 26th, at 1:30 pm, in the Chapel of the Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, 950 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, where a Reception for Family and Friends will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, Florida 34997.

An Online Guestbook is available by visiting www.treasurecoastseawinds.com