Obituary: Marilyn Bannon, 75, Ludington.

Marilyn Ardeth Bannon

Obituary: Marilyn Bannon, 75, Ludington. 

#MasonCountyDeaths.

Marilyn Ardeth Bannon, 75, of Ludington passed away at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas, Saturday March 4, 2017.

Marilyn was born January 2, 1942 in Muskegon. Marilyn and C Dale Bannon were married June 8, 1963. Together they traveled the world. Settling in Ludington, they raised their three children: Cliff, Bill, and Yvonne, and their grandson Chaz Mertes. A dedicated and fiercely loyal mother and grandmother, for whom family came first, she supported her children in their every endeavor. One of her most cherished activities was to host family get-togethers. Her passion for cooking and her love for her entire family were intertwined. She relished hosting family parties at her home, her meal portions being almost as large as her love.

Her love of education led her all the way to a master’s degree. One facet of her love of helping children excel was expressed as a teacher; both in the States and in the open classroom in the Taipei American School in Taiwan. Through her dedication to reading programs as a specialist, being elected as president of the Michigan Education Association of Ludington, serving as a grade school principal, and a lifetime of service by instilling a love of reading in generations of children, Marilyn’s influence will continue to positively impact our community.

Marilyn excelled at everything she found interest in: teaching, ceramics, painting, quilting, genealogy, cooking, gardening, entertaining, and singing. Her artistic skills as a singer shone in the church choir and as a member of the mixed-chorus in her Texas home.

Marilyn’s strong faith was something she shared with her church families as a Bethel Series and Stephen’s Ministries teacher. As the chairperson of the board for the Mason County District Library, she was instrumental in building it into a strong, vibrant resource. She also worked many volunteer hours at the Community Volunteer library at her winter home in San Benito, Texas.

Marilyn joined the Michigan Dunes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, most recently serving as chaplain. A dedicated member, she served her community through volunteer service.

Having shared 57 years of marriage together, Marilyn is survived by her devoted husband C Dale Bannon; children: Clifford Kim Bannon, William Kim (Pam) Bannon, Ardeth Yvonne Bannon; grandson Chaz Sebastian Mertes; brothers: William (Nettie) Booker of KawKawlin; Bruce Booker of Muskegon; sister Laurel (Ted) Lasley of Muskegon; uncle Dale (Frieda) Andrus of Muskegon; sisters-in-law: Pastor Elizabeth “Betty” Mae (Eb) Aldridge, Patricia Rae Bannon, Sandra Kae (Thom Wressell) Bannon, all of Traverse City; nephew Tom (Jackie) Wright of Germantown, Wisconsin; niece Stefanie (Robert) Davidson of Muskegon; nephew RJ  (Amy) Booker of Warrensburg, Missouri; niece Velvet (Andy) Batteiger of Traverse City, Michigan; niece Jennelle (Bradley) Wressell Phillips  of Ashville, North Carolina; Kellen Wressell of Traverse City; niece Kimberley Walter of Traverse City; great-nieces and nephews Jacob Wright, Katie Wright, Taigan Booker, Bryce Wright, Kameron Davidson, Konnor Davidson, Fennin Booker, and Erik Davidson.

She was preceeded in death by her father and mother, William and Lucille Booker; granddaughter Alexis Gabrielle Bannon; brother-in-law and sister Tom and Linda Wright; and fur-babies Adonis and Heidi.

Funeral services for Marilyn will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday March 18, 2017 at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Thomas Boehne officiating.  The family will receive friends for visitation at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service.  A reception at the church will directly follow and internment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington.

Memorial contributions in memory or Marilyn may be directed to the Mason County District Library.  Please feel free to share a memory or photo with the family at www.oakgrovefh.com.

The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Ludington.