July 19, 1943 — Sept. 17, 2015

Mamie Charline Heron, 72, of Cassopolis, Michigan died at 8:07 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, in Dowagiac, Michigan following a brief illness.

She was born on July 19, 1943 in Marked Tree, Arkansas to Charles and Magdaline (Thomas) Hendrix. She was graduated from Dowagiac High School, and has lived in this area most of her life. She helped with the family’s trucking business by driving a pilot car to clear the traffic for oversize loads.

Mamie was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Dowagiac Aerie #2441. She enjoyed playing the games at casinos, and playing the lottery. She was a fan of the Chicago Bears football team, and NASCAR auto racing, especially driver #5, Mr. Kasey Kahne. She was also a long-time fan of the late entertainer, Elvis Presley with whom she won – in a promotion – a date. That date was eventually given to the contest’s runner-up, as Mamie was a minor with a strongly protective family.

On March 13, 1960, in Dowagiac she married Charles Heron, Jr. with whom she celebrated the remarkable 50th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on September 20, 2010. She was also preceded in death by her father, Charles Hendrix.

Surviving family includes her children, Linda Jean (Jeff, Sr.) Yant of Cassopolis and Charles (Debbie) Heron III of Niles, Michigan; grandchildren Jeffrey Yant, Jr., Jason (Missy) Yant, Joe (Courtney) Heron, and Cassie, Randy, and Makayla Heron; great-grandchildren Brandin, Nathan, Lexie, Hunter, Colt, and Liam; Mamie’s mother, Magdaline “Peggy” Thompson of Dowagiac; and Mamie’s siblings, Rick (Pat) Thompson and Barbara (Lee) Bolton, both of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Dedee (Phil) Hoekstra of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Wanda Reeves of Truman, Arkansas; step-sisters Shirley and Ruby; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mamie Heron will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, at the Liberty Chapel, 309 Dewey St., Dowagiac with Pastor Mark N. Saylor of the church officiating. Committal will be at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com