Dec. 14, 1915-Jan. 6, 2013

Mary Catherine Morse, 98, of Edwardsburg passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014 at The Brook in Boyne City, MI.

She was a native daughter of Edwardsburg, born on Dec. 14, 1915 to Louis and Minnie Walter. She graduated in 1933 from Edwardsburg High School and on Oct. 12, 1935 she married her husband of 50 years, Bob Morse, from Buchanan.
She and Bob owned and operated the Village Market in Edwardsburg for 10 years carrying on the tradition of the general store started by her grandfather in the 1800’s and later owned by her father. After the sale of the store she worked for 10 years each at Ziesel’s and then First National Bank in Elkhart.

Over the years she was active in the Eastern Star, Monday Evening Club, co-chair of the first Miss Edwardsburg contest, charter member of the Edwardsburg Historical Museum and last August had the honor of sharing the Dr. John Sweetland Award with Mary Montgomery and Frances Proper. She was a life-long member of Hope United Methodist Church. In earlier years she enjoyed dancing, winters in Florida, exercising at the at the Elkhart YMCA and her Friday night dominoes group.

Her greatest love was her family. She is survived by two daughters; Ruth Ellen (Gary) Evans of Boyne City and Marty (Gary) Ketcham of The Villages, Fla. She has six grandchildren; Joe (Elizabeth) Evans, Karen Sheaks, Jody Rosezelle, John (Melissa) Evans, Jim (Jaye lee) Evans, and Kathy Lomont, 15 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Also her sister, Frances Ort of Niles and cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob and his siblings, her sister Margaret (Lloyd) Jameson, brother-in-law Cecil Ort, granddaughter-in-law Vicki Evans, and her 17 year companion, Lyle Wilson of Canada.

Visitation will be on Monday, Jan. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 W. Main St. Edwardsburg, and again on Tuesday the Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Hope United Methodist Church, 69941 Elkhart Rd., Edwardsburg, followed by an 11 a.m. service. Burial will follow the service at the Edwardsburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family would welcome memorials be made to Hope UMC, P.O. Box 624, Edwardsburg, MI 49112 or the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum, P.O. Box 694, Edwardsburg, MI 49112.

Arrangements are by the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home.