Doris Eugenia Allen Riddle

Doris Riddle, age 99, of Ithaca passed away December 8, 2020.

Doris was born to Arthur and Halla (Hufford) Ballinger March 29, 1921 in Breckenridge, Michigan. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1938 and from Central Michigan University in 1962. Doris taught in rural schools and Merrill Public Schools for 26 years.

She married Parks Allen June 23, 1942 and they had two children, Marian (Don) Fisher and Phillip (Eve) Allen. Parks preceded her in death in 1954. Doris married Cleo Riddle in 1958. Doris and Cleo traveled in all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico. He preceded her in death in 2002. 

Doris spent 20 winters in Arizona and she loved to play euchre, make cards for friends on special occasions, and enjoyed the meals at the Senior Activity Building in Ithaca.

Doris is survived by Phil and Eve Allen. She is preceded in death by her husbands Parks Allen and Cleo Riddle; daughter Marian Fisher; grand daughters Melissa Fisher and Christie Baker; and brother Carl Ballinger.

Graveside services will be held Friday, December 11, 2020 at Pine Grove Cemetery.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Mack Evan MacLaren

Mack Evan MacLaren, retired U.S. Army helicopter pilot, passed on Friday December 4th. He was eighty-two years old and died at Spectrum Blodgett in Grand Rapids, MI after battling COVID 19 for over a week.

Mack is survived by his wife Huong thi MacLaren; his siblings Bonnie Ellen Barnes, Margaret Lou Kemp, and Brick A MacLaren; his children Teresa Lynn Petree, Hugh Mitch MacLaren, and Ken Andy MacLaren. He is predeceased by his sister Mary Ann Strong; daughters Helen Radine Hayes, Kimberly Sue MacLaren, and son Garth R. MacLaren.

Mack was born in Ithaca, MI on January 30, 1938 to Hugh Lawrence “Larry” MacLaren and Helen MacLaren. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1956. He entered the military with the U.S. Army, starting off in artillery before heading to Vietnam for his first tour, before graduating aviation school and returning to Vietnam twice more. Mack became a renowned CH-47 pilot, receiving many awards for his bravery, skill, and gallantry. When he retired from the U.S. Army in 1983 he was decorated as the first to reach 5000 accident free hours in a CH 47, with 2812 of those hours being in combat during Vietnam.

Only part of Mack’s story was that of being a soldier and pilot. He was the father of six children; Garth R MacLaren, Helen Radine Hayes, Kimberly Sue MacLaren, Teresa Lynn Petree, Hugh Mitch MacLaren, and Ken Andy MacLaren. He was a grandfather to many; Nathan MacLaren (Garth), Nicholas MacLaren (Garth), Suzzanne Tigg, (Helen), Ryan MacLaren (Kimberly), Aparica MacLaren (Kimberly), Michael Petree (Teresa), Caitlin Renner (Hugh), Ashlyn MacLaren (Hugh), Hunter MacLaren (Hugh), Breanna MacLaren (Ken), Hugh A. MacLaren (Ken), Jasmine LaFreniere (Ken), and Charles MacLaren (Ken). He was also a great grandfather to even more, as family was the most important part of his life.

He was also fully devoted to his faith as a proud and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as he had achieved the position as a High Priest after serving as a Seventy for many years.

Viewings will be held this Saturday at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, MI from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that a donation be made to your local VFW post or The Wounded Warrior Project.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Mother Anne Mary McLaughlin

Mother Anne Mary McLaughlin, beloved Religious Sister of Mercy, entered Eternal Life on November 28, 2020.  Mother Anne Mary was born on July 21, 1925, in New Haven, Connecticut. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Hartford Province on September 8, 1950, where she made perpetual vows on June 29, 1957. It was there that she studied at St. Francis School of Nursing and then went on to practice as a pediatric nurse in Saint Agnes Home for Unwed Mothers. Throughout her life she had a great love for children. 

On January 4, 1976, Mother Anne Mary transferred to the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan. There she went on to be a founding member of the Home of Mercy where she took care of the sick and dying. She also faithfully served in the infirmary at the North American College in Rome and in pastoral care at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK. 

Mother Anne Mary was a Sister who loved our Lord and was especially devoted to the Blessed Mother and Child Jesus. Her motto that she took for herself at her perpetual vows was simply, “Mary”. 

Mother Anne Mary was preceded in death by her parents, James Patrick and Suzan McLaughlin and siblings James Patrick McLaughlin Jr. and Catherine McLaughlin Knott. She is survived by her three nieces Mary Danehy, Catherine Ostrowski, and Theresa Knott. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated November 30, 2020 at Our Lady of Grace Chapel in Alma, Michigan. Interment followed at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Alma, Michigan.

 Arrangements were entrusted to the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, Michigan. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Lawrence Perry Earl

Lawrence “Larry” Perry Earl, 58, of Sumner, Michigan went home to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, November 15, 2020 peacefully in his home.

He was born in Saginaw, Michigan on February 7, 1962 the son of Richard “Dick” Earl and Beverly (DeVall) Earl. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1980. He was married to the love of his life, Jennifer (Sherman) Earl on April 15, 2004.

He spent his life serving others and God, as a cook and chef. He took great pleasure in seeing the look of joy and satisfaction on the faces of those who ate his food. There was nothing he couldn’t make. People would challenge him and he would continue trying over and over until he had it perfected to their satisfaction (molasses cookies). He is published by “Taste of Home” magazine for his Frosted Carrot Cake Cookies in their 2017 Holiday & Celebrations cookbook.

Larry was very passionate about football and molding the lives of our youth. This was accomplished through several years of volunteering with the Ithaca Youth Football league. He and his family ran the concessions for many years. They welcomed the youth when they wanted to help in the concession building. Larry believed that by letting them help he could teach them skills that would benefit them throughout their lives.

 Larry is survived by his wife Jennifer Earl of Sumner, Michigan. Children: Christopher Earl of Alma, Michigan and Joshua Earl of Alma, Michigan, Meghan Litwiller of Big Rapids, Michigan, Douglas and Mariah Litwiller of Stanton, Michigan, and Courtney Earl of Sumner, Michigan. Grandchildren: Avalon, Angela and Jason Litwiller of Stanton, Michigan and October Ramirez-Earl of Alma, Michigan. Siblings: Linda Earl, Gordon and Kathy Earl, and Aneta Linnabary. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and several special young adults who considered him a father figure for them.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, sister Roxanne Kelly and Nephew Daniel Linnabary II.

A small family (invitation only) service will be held Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 11:00 am. The service will be live streamed via Facebook @ cornerstone_vestaburg for those who are wishing to view.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to help cover final expenses, these may be sent to PO Box 594, Sumner, MI 48889. The family is being served by Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Charles Louis Bergren

Charles Louis Bergren , age 72, formerly of Muskegon, died Thursday, November 12, 2020, at MediLodge of East Lansing.

Charles was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on January 5, 1948.  He was adopted by Walter and Mildred (Goudsward) Bergren.  He loved working on cars, and was an excellent body man and mechanic.  His talents led to him working in body shops.  Though he was a hard worker and always kept busy, he did love spending time fishing out on Lake Michigan.  He also enjoyed giving tours of Muskegon to family and friends as they visited him there, often taking them to places in Muskegon they had never seen before.

Charles is survived by his grandsons, Jared Scott Bergren and Jordan Spencer Bergren; his ex-wife, Bonita L. Smith; and his best friends, Lawrence P. Smith, Gloria Baker, and Ronda at MediLodge.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Micah Shawn Rene’ Bergren; his son, Joel Bergren; and his sister, Joyce Bergren Bratsberg.  

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.  Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bardenfunealhome.com.