Ethel’s life began on Oct. 18, 1941, in Lincoln Park, the daughter of Charles and Golda (Wilson) Bragenzer. 

She was united in marriage to Franklin “Don” East on Oct. 31, 1966, in Ringgold, Ga. 

For a few years, Ethel bartended at the Dowagiac Moose and Eagles Club. She loved to make trips to the casino with her family.

Ethel’s family includes: her husband of 43 years, Don East of Dowagiac; children, Bob (Tammy Squires) Motter of Dowagiac, Don (Dawn) East Jr. of Dowagiac, Lisa (Randy) Savage of Dowagiac, Dawn Kasserman of Williamsburg, S.C., Patricia (Wayne) Hamlin of Cape Coral, Fla., and Robin Lewis of Aiken, S.C.; several grandchildren; sisters, Rose (Mark) Todd of Wyandotte, Pat Courteau of Taylor and Mary (Del) Shellenberg of McComb, Ohio; brothers, Kenny (Carol) Bragenzer of Tennessee and John (Katrina) Bragenzer of Findlay, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. 

Ethel passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010, at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. She was 69.

 She is preceded in death by her brother, Joe Bragenzer, and sister, Bonnie Bragenzer. 

Her family will gather with friends on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel, where her funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. led by Pastor Orliss Terry. 

She will be laid to rest in South Wayne Cemetery following services.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the American Lung Association or to the American Cancer Society. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Ethel at www.yazel-clark.com.