Elsa Blanton

Our dear mother, Elsa Blanton, 91, died peacefully Monday, June 11, after suffering a stroke two years prior.    Although she never recovered from the episode that took her independence, she continued to be known by all for her caring nature and sense of humor.  Elsa was born in Battle Creek as the third child of parents Carmelina Maria and Amedeo Primo Ferrari, who came to BC from Italy in 1920.  Carmelina and Amedeo owned and operated Ferrari’s Grocery on North 20th Street for 35 years until the business closed in the mid-1960s. Other Ferrari children were Paul, the oldest, Joe, and Clayton, the youngest, all preceding Elsa in death.  In 1948, 21-year-old Elsa married Jonas Bryan Blanton, a 26-year old Post Cereals employee who had moved to BC from Gaffney, South Carolina.   Jonas worked at the Post plant for 35 years before retiring.  He lost his life in 2009 in a hang gliding accident at age 86.  Elsa was employed for more than 20 years at Hastings Manufacturing Company, piston ring producer in Hastings, Michigan. Prior to her service with Hastings, other employers included Walgreens Drug Store and Ferrari Hair Salons.  She rarely missed work as a wage earner, yet always kept a clean house and excelled as a cook, famous for Italian recipes she learned from her mother.  Surviving are four children, 9 grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at the Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel.  Entombment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum.  Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. www.henryfuneralhome.org