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PO Box 228, Ionia, MI 48846, US
In Memory
Jonathan Scott Thompson (1974-2021)
Jonathan S. Thompson, age 46, of Belding, passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Hospice. Jon was always up for an adventure and never afraid to try new things. Bull riding, skydiving, blacksmithing, riding horses, or being a cowboy, Jon tried them all and lived life to the fullest. He loved being outdoors, going camping, fishing, and working as a volunteer with 4-H taking kids on different outdoor adventures and rock climbing. He was active with the Ionia Young People’s Theater and the Ionia Community Theater. However, the thing Jon loved the most was his family. He loved watching his kids play soccer and spending time with them. Jon was a wonderful son, loving husband, terrific dad, great brother, and all-around wonderful human being; he will be deeply missed by everyone. Surviving Jon are his parents, Lee & Brenda (Frost) Thompson of Sidney; wife, Sarah (Piper) Thompson of Belding; children, Isabel; Owen; and Ava, all of Belding; brothers, Chris (Lanna) Thompson of Stanton and Nathan (Laura) Thompson of Sidney; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and lots of aunts and uncles. Jon was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill & Doris Frost and Ed & Clara Thompson.
Mary Cusack (1950-2019)
Mary Carol (Millard) Cusack, age 69 of Ionia, Mi passed away surrounded by music and her loving family on May 13, 2019. Mary was born February 3, 1950 to Ben and Patricia (Whymer) Millard. Mary married the love of her life, Dan Cusack on September 20, 1969 and spent 47 years with him until his passing in June 2016. Mary began teaching piano and organ at age 16 and continued to spread joy through music for the rest of her life. Mary was the Music Director of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Ionia for 40 years and taught music at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School for 32 years. Her love of the theatre was shown through her serving as Music Director for Ionia Community Theatre for more than 20 years, and as Director of Ionia Young Peoples' Theatre for 19 years. Mary was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church, and a faithful servant of the Lord until her last breath. She was a proud member of the National Pastoral Musicians (NPM) Association for more than 30 years, and was President of the NPM Grand Rapids Chapter from 2017-2019. Mary is survived by her loving children, Andrew (Melissa) Cusack of Ionia, Mi; Caitlin Cusack of Grand Rapids, Mi; four grandchildren, Garrett, Rachel, Shawn, and Devin; brother Tom (Jani) Millard of Ionia, Mi; and brother-in-law Leo Bowen of Saranac, Mi. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dan, and sister, Lee Ann Bowen. She was light and inspiration to all who knew her.
Terry L. Burton (1964 - 2015)
Terry Lee Burton, age 50, of Ionia, passed away June 15, 2015, in Grand Rapids. He was born September 26, 1964, in Grand Rapids, the son of Roger and Gerry (De Nike) Burton. Terry married Margo Walczak on April 27, 1991 in Petoskey, MI. He was a member of the Ionia Community Theatre, Young Peoples Theater, and elder with The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints. Terry enjoyed music & theater. He was a former member of the Great Lakes Chorus, barber shop style singing. Terry was an avid quilter and enjoyed fiber art, knitting, crocheting, and tatting. He liked to grind his own wheat and make his own bread; his goal was making sure everyone was well fed.
Terry is survived by his wife, Margo Burton of Ionia; children, Karri Walczak of Ionia and Steven Walczak of Ionia; father, Roger Burton of Saranac; brothers, Donald (Angel) Burton of Nashville and Roger Burton of Saranac; sister, Florence Clifford of Saranac; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gerry Burton. Memorial Service was held Saturday, June 20th, 1:00 P.M. at The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints located at 7943 Keefer Hwy. Portland, MI 48875. President Michael Beam officiated the service.
Published in Ionia SentinelStandard June 18, 2015
Harry H. Bliss Jr. (1933 - 2015)
Dr. Harry H. Bliss Jr. Passed away, June 3rd, 2015, at the Lodge at Mallard's Landing in Gig Harbor, WA. He was born July 2, 1933, to Harry H. Bliss Sr. and Henrietta Bliss in Grand Rapids, MI.
Hal attended Ionia High School and went to Central Michigan University upon graduation. He went on to attend Illinois School of Optometry and opened his own practice in 1957, Dr. Bliss and Dr. Gregory Patera enjoyed serving the community's optometrist needs for 40 years.
Hal met Mary Lou Taylor of Clarksville in 1960 and they were married 6 months later in 1961. They would've been married 54 years this month.
Harry was devoted to his community and served in the Ionia Rotary Club and as President of the Ionia Community Theater for several years. His love of golf, music, theater and hunting was well-known in his large circle of friends. Hal loved to laugh and was cheerful and loving until the day he passed.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou; his daughters, Judy Bliss and Amy Bliss-Miller (Nathan Bliss-Miller); grandchildren, Hannah and Taylor Rogers, Soren and Lars Bliss-Miller. Preceding him in death, is his sister Bonnie Rosely and his Parents, Harry and Henrietta Bliss.
Published in Ionia Sentinel-Standard on June 9, 2015.
Roberta Ann "Bobbi" (Lippert) Humbracht (1946 - 2015)
Bobbi Humbracht, born Roberta Ann Lippert, passed away after a short illness in Fort Myers, Florida on April 18, 2015. She was 68. Bobbi was born on November 5, 1946 in Hillsdale, Michigan, third and youngest child of Glen and Ruth (Evans) Lippert, both now deceased. She leaves behind a son, Ryan (Michaela Jirackova) Hauer, of Chelsea, Michigan, a sister, Marilyn (Phillip) Mershon of Marshall, Michigan, a brother, Charles (Janet Cadwell) Lippert of Grand Rapids, five nieces and nephews, and a precious 4-year old granddaughter, Klara. She also leaves her devoted companion, Richard Mullen of Fort Myers, FL.
Bobbi graduated with the class of '64 from Hillsdale High School. She went on to obtain a BA in elementary education at Western Michigan University, graduating in Dec. of 1967. Over the next 30 years, she taught in five different districts, starting with Battle Creek Springfield, Galesburg-Augusta, Marshall, Quincy, retiring from Carson-City Crystal Schools in 1998 after 19 years of service there. She spent four years at Eerdmans Publishing Co. In Grand Rapids as editorial assistant, and did a variety of TV commercials and print work in retirement.
Bobbi was an avid tennis player, as well as a musician. She worked on stage and off with several community theatre groups, notably Ionia Community Theatre where she played leading roles in many musicals including Oklahoma, King and I, Secret Garden, Into The Woods, and Kiss Me Kate. From age 5, she sang in church choirs and continued in high school with training in choral singing, and in the band playing flute. In her adult life she also joined the Sweet Adeline's championship regional chorus of Coldwater (1971) and competed with her quartet. In 1983, she joined First United Methodist Church, Ionia, and sang in the choir until 2001 when she moved to Grand Rapids. There Bobbi joined the church, the choir, and the Westminster Winds at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She remained active there until leaving for FL in Nov. last year. She has been blessed with many loving friends, supportive family, and a rich faith connection.
A Celebration of Life service was held at Westminster on Saturday, May 16, 2015. A visitation for friends and family was held at 12 noon, prior to a 1 p.m. service. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to the Westminster Music Program, or to your favorite charity.
Published in Ionia Sentinel-Standard on April 28, 2015.