Obituary: Ivan J. Anthony, 86, of Summit Township

Ivan Anthony

Ivan James Anthony, 86, of Summit Township, passed away on Monday, June 17, 2024.  Ivan was born on September 4, 1937 in Eden Township, the son of Ernest and Matilda (Terryn) Anthony and graduated from Scottville High School with the class of 1955.

Having grown up on a farm, Ivan was very involved with 4-H throughout his childhood.  It made such an impact on him that at age 18 he became a 4-H leader because he wanted his brother to have the same experience.  Ivan remained involved in 4-H his entire life, serving as a district leader and on the Michigan State council, was leader of the Summit Woodchoppers Club, and was inducted into the Emerald Clover Society with the inaugural class of 2002.

Ivan met the love of his life, Betty Morell, in his high school class in Scottville and they were married on October 22, 1960 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ludington, and celebrated 63 wonderful years together. She provided a constant source of support for him, joining him every year at the fair, making countless test decks for elections and later, after his retirement, making and selling his special puzzles.

Ivan dedicated his life to serving others.  In 1968, he was elected as Mason County treasurer, a position he held until 1973 when he was appointed as manager of the Mason County Road Commission.  In 1976, the county board asked Ivan to serve as Mason County clerk, a position he would hold for the next 27 years, retiring in 2003.  Along with over 60 years of leading 4-H, Ivan also served 25 years as secretary of the Western Michigan Fair Association, over 27 years on the Mason County District Library Board – most recently serving as president, was a member of the Rotary Club of Ludington for over 50 years, serving as president in 1982 and 1986 and spent many years as a Rotary STRIVE mentor, was a member of the Michigan Association of County Clerks where he served as president in 1980 and was awarded Clerk of the Year in 1988. Ivan and Betty were longtime members of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Matilda; his brother Gerald Anthony; and his sister-in-law Trudy Anthony.

He will be greatly missed by his wife Betty; his son David and Michelle Anthony of Belmont; his daughter Nancy and James Fife of Ludington; his grandchildren Evan (Sasha) Estola, Brigette Estola, Abigail (Josh) Parrish, and Alexander Anthony; his brother James Anthony of Hart; his sister-in-law Shirley Anthony of Pentwater; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a host of great friends, club members, and colleagues made over of lifetime of service.

A ceremony to honor and remember the life of Ivan Anthony will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 12 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Riverton Township with his friend and former pastor, Rev. Jon Pohl officiating.  Friends may meet with Ivan’s family on Thursday evening, July 11 from 6 to 8 p.m., and on Friday morning from 10 a.m. until noon, all at St. Paul’s.

Those who wish to remember Ivan with a memorial donation are asked to please consider St. Paul United Methodist Church, or Mason County 4-H.

Please visit Ivan’s memory page at www.wymanfuneralservice.com to share a memory or tribute of Ivan with his family.