Garry Lee Ebright

Garry Ebright, age 74, of Ithaca, died Friday, June 26, 2020, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center in Midland.

Garry was born on the farm in New Haven Township on November 15, 1945, the son of Clifford Charles and Artie May (Topper) Ebright.  

Garry graduated from Ithaca High School in 1964.  He worked as a meat cutter at Winget’s Meat Market for several years before working for GM in Lansing.  He loved small towns and had a passion for Ithaca, its people and its history.  He was currently writing a book about the history of Ithaca.  Garry also loved animals.

Garry is survived by his brother, Ron (Becky) Ebright of Houghton Lake; his sisters, Carol (Mark) Houlden of Norton Shores, and Sandy Ebright of Saginaw; his sister-in-law, Karen Ebright of Jefferson City, MO; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Artie Ebright, and his brother, Richard “Cricket” Ebright.

No services are planned, but memorial contributions may be made in Garry’s memory to Dalis to the Rescue or the Thompson Home Library in Ithaca.

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

Dawn Ellen Showalter

Dawn Ellen Showalter, 65, of Atlanta, Michigan  passed away peacefully on June 16, 2020 in her home. Dawn was born on February 23, 1955 in Alma, Michigan to Bethel and Theodore (Ted) Komperda. 

Dawn is survived by her husband, Steve, three children, Amy Crumbaugh of Tucson, Arizona, Mark Crumbaugh Jr, and Matthew (Janelle) Crumbaugh, both of Ashley, Michigan. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Keegan, AdreAnna, Trent, Rebecca, Blaze, Kaynen and Kaytlyn Crumbaugh, Nate, Gabe, and Audrey Komperda, and Alyssa Hamilton, two brothers and two sisters. She was preceded in death by  her mother, Bethel Komperda, and father, Theodore Komperda. 

Dawn raised her children in Ashley, MI, then moved to Alma, MI with her husband, Steve Showalter, and later retiring in Northern MI. Dawn stayed at home raising her children as well as having a daycare for her friend’s children while her children were growing up. Dawn then went to work with Fashion Bug where she retired after about 17 years. 

Dawn was loved by so many. She had a contagious laugh and a heart of gold. She loved her family more than life itself. Dawn enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved cooking, decorating for the holidays, planting flowers, going on vacations to Mexico and other beach towns, and dining out at BJ’s where she could devour a stack of crab legs!  Dawn also enjoyed reading and listening to Elvis, but most of all, loved spending time with her family and friends. She will always be remembered by her laugh, generosity, and her tenacious spirit. 

A small service will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2020 in Gratiot County, MI. In lieu of flowers, those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions in honor of Dawn Showalter to:

Wings of Mercy

100 South Pine St. Suite #393

Zeeland, MI 49464

Margaret I. (Peet) Olson

Margaret I. (Peet) Olson, age 91, of Ithaca, Michigan passed away June 15, 2020 at her home, in the same bedroom she was born in to the late Orrin and Ivah Peet, September 14, 1928. She married the late L.G. Olson on November 29, 1947. He preceded her in death in 2002.

Margaret enjoyed staying summers at her lake home at Coldwater Lake. She was also a huge Tigers fan, enjoyed knitting, loved playing cards, being a homemaker, working on the family farm, and family get togethers.

She is survived by her daughter, Helen and Ron Huyck; son, Bruce and Mary Kay Olson; also loving grandchildren Brent Slagell, Krista and Matt Penninga, Kurt and Katie Olson, Dana and Justin Buckley, and Ryan Olson; and nine beautiful great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Edna Mae Beck.

Besides her husband, L.G. and parents, she was also preceded in death by five sisters, Velma Hatt, Addie McAdams, Beatrice Martyn, Emma Pontius, and Doris Olson.

A huge shout out to her new found friend for the last five years, Jennifer Ortiz. Thank you for all you have done for her and loving her. You are the best.

A private family graveside will be held at Hamilton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Elara Caring Hospice.

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

Patricia Anne (Payne) Shaull

Patricia Anne (Payne) Shaull, age 87, of Ithaca died Sunday, May 31, 2020, while surrounded by her daughter and two granddaughters. She is survived by her sister, Sandy (Tom Harris); her sons, Greg (Lisa) and Mark (Shelly); her daughter, Becky (Ken Wethers); her grandchildren, Allison (Josh Martin), Kinsey (Jessee Durham), Adam (Leigh) Shaull, and Mallery (John Hoffman); and her eight great grandchildren: Abigail, Annabelle, Audra, Parker, Cooper, Alaina, Lucas, and Clyde. She was preceded in death by her father, Stanely; her mother, Geraldine (Hall); her brother, Lowell; her sister, Jo Cooper; her son, Robert Nelson; and her dear husband, Bob.

Born November 3, 1932 in Ashley, Michigan at home, Anne graduated from St. Johns High School in 1950. She first worked for Michigan Bell as a telephone operator. On August 9, 1953, she married (Robert Dean) Bob Shaull and settled in Ithaca where she worked at Wolverine Shoe Company making Hush Puppy shoes, was a school aide at North Elementary for almost 25 years, and where they at one time owned and operated Shaull Standard Station. From 1996 on, Anne spent summers in Bear Lake at Kampvilla R.V. Park where she helped her daughter and son-in-law at their campground; there she made many good friends. Anne will be missed dearly, but she will always be remembered for being a loving mom, grandma, GG, sister, and friend; for her pink hair every October; never leaving home without her earrings; the beautiful baby quilts she made; greeting campers on the office porch; enjoying campfires and loving sunsets; encouraging her apartment friends to get out for a walk and sharing her peach wine with them; her love of raccoons and angels; and her cranberry salad during the holidays.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research or the American Cancer Society.

The family has entrusted arrangements to Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Mildred Helena Denniston

Mildred Helena Denniston lived her life loving and serving her Lord. She was prepared and looking forward to meeting Him in Heaven at the age of 98 on May 31, 2020. Her humor was unfailing. She was very witty, the winner of many word games, excelled with puzzles, and loved to read. She and her friends greatly enjoyed the parties given in her honor by her sister Liz.

Mildred was born to Frank and Edna Miley on July 31,1921 in Petersburg, Indiana. She had two brothers, Donald and Eugene, and two sisters, Catherine and Elizabeth. On Christmas Eve in 1939 she married Charles Richison in Winchester, Indiana. No children were born to this union. She moved from Indiana to Rock Lake, Michigan in 1963 so her husband could fill the position as teacher at the Rock Lake Bible School. Together they built a new house at Rock Lake and helped build the Wesleyan Holiness Church in St. Louis where they attended. Later, Charles also taught at Vestaburg Public Schools. In 1979, they moved to Hobe Sound, Florida. While living their 50^th year together, Charles Richison passed away July 1989 in Summerfield Florida.

Being widowed, Mildred returned to Hobe Sound Bible College and Church campus apartments. There she married Rev. Charles Denniston of Ashley, Michigan on May 24, 1995. She became the happy step-mother of his 10 children and many grandchildren. Upon returning to Michigan, she lived with her husband in the Denniston home in Ashley for 10 years. Charles Denniston passed away in August 2005.

Widowed again, Mildred returned to Sebring, Florida to live near her sisters. In 2008, she returned to Alma, Michigan to be among friends and reside in Heather Court. A special friend, Nancy Romerhart, helped her with many needs. Nancy continued to provide increasing in-home care until her passing. Mildred attended the St. Louis Holiness Church. God bless her memory to everyone she knew.

Mildred is survived by one sister Elizabeth Agnew of Sebring, Florida, nieces and nephews. Nine Denniston step-children: Joan Howes, Esther (Larry) Litweller, Betty (Robert) Campbell, John (Carol) Denniston, Alfred (Dee) Denniston, all of Ashley, Michigan.  Marjory (Robert) Hodges of Baton Rouge, LA; Charles (Bernetta) Denniston of Houston, TX; Helen (J. Steven) Manley of Bedford, IN; Mary (Phil) Harris of Summitville, IN. Many step-grandchildren, and a host of friends, including Dale and Gaytha Tuttle. Mildred was predeceased in death by her parents, two husbands (Charles Richison and Charles Denniston), brothers (Donald and Eugene Miley), sister Catherine Byrum, and step-daughter Becky Lyon.                                            

Donations may be made to the St. Louis Holiness Church St. Louis, Michigan.