Mary Gorsline

Mary Ann (Schwab) Gorsline died Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at the age of 92. She was born October 18, 1916 in Peoria, IL to Ludwig Schwab and Anna Madill Schwab. Mary grew up in Charlevoix, MI, calling it "home" for her large family of siblings and cousins. As a young woman, Mary attended business school and worked for the Federal Government in the Farm Security Administration in Michigan, as a traveling auditor and organizer of regional offices. In 1944 she married Rex J. Gorsline who served in the U.S. Army in Europe during WWII. Following the war they settled in Lansing to continue their married life. A devoted wife, homemaker, mother and dear friend, Mary loved baking, reading, travel, good conversation over a cup of tea, and a brisk game of Scrabble. "Matriarch" of her extended family, Mary kept track of birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations for all of us. She devoted much time and energy documenting family genealogy, leaving a treasure of information for us to share. A disciplinarian, yet kind-hearted, Mary instilled in others a sense of responsibility, dispensing words of wisdom and advice, and offering a ready ear.

Mary was a founding member of St. Gerard Parish and served for years in the Third Order of Franciscans with Holy Cross Church. She was preceded in death by Rex, her husband of 39 years, and her brothers: Robert, Joe, Charlie, and William Schwab; Floyd, Bill, and John Eccleston.

Surviving are her loving sister and brother, Sarah Vincent and James Eccleston, and her children: Michael Gorsline and wife Tiem Katherine and their family Chai, Carol, Tyler, Catie, Riley, Bea, Tracy, Justine, and Tara; Ann (Gorsline) Smith and husband Elliott and granddaughters Stephanie and Dayna; Mary (Gorsline) Larkin and husband Howard; and a multitude of nieces and nephews. She is loved and will be remembered by so many.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 21, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns with the Rev. Fr. John Klein officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday with a 7:00 p.m. Vigil Service at Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sparrow Hospice.