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Big Rapids, Edward T. Blume, age 86,

of Big Rapids passed away Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at Altercare of Big Rapids. He was born November 22, 1923 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the son of John and Ada Blume. He is survived by his daughter Bonnie Blume of Big Rapids. Edward was preceded in death by his parents and wife Edith (Leedy) Blume, one sister Blanch Blume. Edward retired from the City of Big Rapids Department of Public Works after 35 years. Funeral service will be private with burial to follow at the Pine Plains Cemetery in Big Rapids.

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Big Rapids – Edward F. Ebenstein, 73, of Big Rapids, passed away Wednesday, June 2, 2010, in Big Rapids.

He was born January 23, 1937, in Big Rapids, the son of August and Marie (Lewis) Ebenstein, and lived in the area most of his life. Ed worked for many years as a mechanic. He loved to fish, and enjoyed repairing clocks and watches.

 Ed is survived by his mother Marie of Big Rapids; a brother John (Joyce) of Howard City; a sister Rosalee (Dennis) McClure of Hesperia; several nieces and nephews; and many close friends he considered family. Ed also held a special place in his heart for Steve and Angie Troupe of Big Rapids.

 Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 4, 2010, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Pastor John Dawson officiating. Burial will be in the Pine Plains Cemetery. Memorial contributions for the American Lung Association may be left at the funeral home, where Ed’s family will greet friends after 12:00 p.m. on Friday.

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Greg was a truck driver for Lipari Foods for 8 years. He was a quiet man who dedicated himself

100% to all he did especially his family.

Memorial contributions in Greg’s honor may be made to Big Jackson Church of God where

a celebration of his life will be held Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor

Ryan Schrable officiating.

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Burnice M. Teachout, age 100 of Big Rapids passed away peacefully at Metron of Big Rapids on Friday May 28, 2010. She was born November 6, 1909 in Tacoma, Washington, the daughter of Frank and Edna Healey. Her family moved to the Boyne City area when Burnice was a child then later to Lansing. She married Carl Teachout on August 6, 1927. They moved to Big Rapids to retire in the early 1960’s.

Survivors include two daughters, Elaine (Keith) White of Big Rapids, Joyce Teachout of Woodland, MI, four grandsons, Douglas White of Big Rapids, James White of Reed City, Dale (Susan) White-Rivers of Ft. Meyers,FL, Paul (Nancy) White of Ventura, CA, four great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, plus several nieces and nephews. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Majel Healey of Florida. Mrs. Teachout was preceeded in death by her parents, her husband, three sisters, one brother and one grandson, Steven White.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday June 2, 2010 at the Mohnke Funeral Home with Pastor John Bookshaw officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday 2-4p.m. and 6-8p.m.. Burial will be at Highland View Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan, St. Peter’s School or the American Cancer Society.

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 Reed City – Neal M. Mercer, 72, of Reed City, passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010, at Spectrum Health Skilled Nursing Facility in Reed City. He was born October 20, 1937, in Whiteville, NC, the son of Onzie and Doshia (Sellers) Mercer. At a young age, Neal began working with mules in the fields near his hometown, and became a lifelong farmer.

In 1979, he moved to the Reed City area, where he continued farming and raising pigs. Buyers and butchers of Neal’s pigs often commented that the meat was the best grade they had ever had. Neal also loved his roses, and collected old-style die-cast cars and trucks. On November 29, 1985, he married Doris (Lincoln), who survives. Also surviving are 2 daughters, Ann and Theresa of North Carolina; 2 sons, Justin and Jordan Hubbard of Evart; 3 step-children, Kathy (Ray) Rose of Moulton, AL, Janice (Leonard) Knapp of LeRoy, Don (Lori) Brown of Williamston; 21 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and 2 sisters, Bonnie Benton and Margie McPherson of North Carolina. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 28, 2010, at the Harvest Assembly of God, 602 W. Upton in Reed City, with Pastor Ed Carpenter and Devlyn Kuehl officiating. Burial will be in the Ashton Cemetery. Memorial contributions in his name may be left in care of the church, where his family will greet friends prior to services on Friday.

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Big Rapids, Mary E. Simon, age 75, of Big Rapids went to be with her Lord onSaturday, May 22, 2010. She was born December 1, 1934 in Big Rapids, the daughter of Paul E. and Margaret H. (Gavin) Fitzgerald. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Jerry, one sister Margaret Ann (Richard) Modrow of Vestaburg and one brother Frank (Shirley) Fitzgerald of Big Rapids, five sisters-in-law, Dorothy Simon, Doris Simon, Maggy Simon, Mary Simon and Darlene Warner, one brother-in-law, Pat Simon (Cheryl) and plus many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters-in-law, Marion Simon and Rosemary Haven and two brothers-in-law, Jim, John and Junior Simon. Mary loved to give presents to all new babies; nieces, nephews and children she babysat for, she treated them all like they were her own. In later years she loved to play cards and remembered all the people’s names she had ever been in contact with. She was dedicated to whatever groups she was in, she loved her church, attended all meetings and was involved in many church activities. Mary will always be remembered for her radiant, loving smile.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father T. Le celebrant. Visitation will be Monday 5-8 p.m. at the Mohnke Funeral Home, with Rosary being recited at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the needs of the family as well as Hospice of Michigan.

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Big Rapids – Donald L. Ward, 91, of Big Rapids, passed away Monday, May 17, 2010, at Metron Nursing Center in Big Rapids. He was born October 31, 1918, in Morley, the son of Glenn and Daisey (Lundy) Ward, and lived in the area most of his life.  Don was a long-time farmer in Colfax Township. He also worked for several years at Ferris State University in maintenance, and as a greeter at Wal-Mart until retiring. Don was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Big Rapids. On December 13, 1941, he married Donna Lintemuth, who preceded him in death in 1997. On June 5, 1999, he married Pat Voss-Smith, who survives. Also surviving are 2 sons, Gary (Margy) of Eagle, CO, Glen (Cheryl) of Big Rapids; 4 grandchildren, Melinda Ward, Molly (Scott) Maus, Melodie (Rich) Hallett, Steve (Eunice) Ward; 5 great-grandchildren, Cori, Amanda, and Kyle Ward, and Brett and Jennifer Maus; step-children Loren Smith and Laurie Agar; and several nieces and nephews. Don was also preceded in death by his brothers Gale and Jim, and sister Arlene Cole. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 20, 2010, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Pastor Bruce Peterson officiating. Burial will be in the Pine Plains Cemetery. Memorial contributions for the First Baptist Church may be left at the funeral home, where Don’s family will greet friends on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m., and prior to services on Thursday.

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Morley-Patricia Ann Russell, age 73, She was born January 5, 1937 in Harrison County, West Virginia to the late Sherman and Dessie Mayle.passed away Saturday, May 15, 2010.

  Survivors include her husband Byron Russell, 3 brothers, Donald E. Rhoden of Pennsylvania, Sherman L. Mayle Jr. of Delaware, Delmas Wayne Mayle of West Virginia, 5 sisters, Shelba J. McGarry of Massachusetts, April L. Davis of Tennessee, Carolyn S. King of Tennessee, Donna K. Mink of Tennessee and Martha L. Sanford of West Virginia plus 3 grandchildren, Stacy McFarlen, Angela Russell, Jeffery JB Russell and 3 great grandchildren. Mrs. Russell was preceded in death by her mother-in-law and father-in-law James and Iva Russell and step-son Jeffrey A. Russell.

She was a retired secretary of Unisys Corporation, a member of Stanwood Free Methodist Church, a 1955 graduate of Victory High School and received an Associates Degree in Business from Davenport University.

 Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 21, 2010 at Davis-Weaver Funeral Home in Clarksburg, West Virginia with Rev. Robert Lawther officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Quiet Dell, W.V. Mrs. Russell’s family will receive friends Friday from 10 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. at Davis-Weaver Funeral Home. Local arrangements are by Mohnke Funeral Home, Big Rapids.

Share a memory or express condolences at www.mohnkefuneralhome.com.

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