Anthony M. Slater

Anthony Minaker Slater, age 56, of Missoula Montana, formerly of Belding, passed away peacefully at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. He was born on April 21, 1967, in Lansing, Michigan. He graduated from Belding High School with the Class of 1985. Anthony was an accomplished track & field and cross-country runner, earning an Athlete of the Year nomination from one of his coaches. He put his great singing voice to use in the Pops Ensemble chorale group and performed in the Belding Booster Follies events as well.  Following high school, he attended Michigan State University, Grand Rapids Community College and earned a degree in business from Davenport College. He developed an ambitious work ethic at an early age starting with a paper route.  Like many area youth, his jobs included Leppink’s Supermarket and he also mowed lawns. He frequently worked two part time jobs and at one point considered adding a third if only he could have fit it into his schedule. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church while living in Belding. Over the last 25 years, he traveled the country living and working in Alaska, California, Colorado, and South Carolina.  He relocated to Missoula several months ago.    

He is survived by his daughter, Chloe (James); his parents, Randy and Norrie (Baker) Slater of Belding; siblings, Charlotte May of Belding and Mathew (Kristine Mangus) Slater of Belding; nieces and nephews, Elena (Eiler), Elijah, Ezra, Jordan (Breanna), Avery and Thomas; great nieces, Everleigh, Wren and Valencia; aunts and uncles, Jeff (Nancee) Slater of Grandville, Virgil (Margaret) Baker of Grand Rapids and Anita (Dale) Priester of Manistee; and many cousins. Anthony was preceded in death by his grandparents, Virgil and Bernadine Baker and John and Louise Slater, and an uncle, Kim Slater.     

Anthony's Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., with Fr. Jim Wyse officiating. The family will greet visitors beginning at 11:00 a.m. until the time of service, with a luncheon to follow.  For those wishing to express sympathy, the family recommends a contribution in Anthony’s memory to Alvah N. Belding Library, St. Jospeh Church or Alcoholics Anonymous. For additional information, please contact Verdun Family Funeral Home, 303 S. Bridge St., Belding, at (616) 794-1300 or verdunfh.com, who is caring for the arrangements.