Mary Spaulding

Mary Jane (Gillis) Spaulding passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2011 in Battle Creek, Michigan at the age of 94. She was preceded in death by her father Stephen Gilas (Gillis), and Mother and Step-Father Sadie and Eli Durakovich, and husband Gerald “Jack” Spaulding. She was also preceded in death by three siblings, Zorka Radick of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Boya Byelich of Battle Creek and Maxine Medich of Sun City, Arizona. She is survived by a daughter Yvonne (Dr. Ernie Stech) of Flagstaff, Arizona and siblings Smelia (Richard) Obren of Bradenton, Florida, Helen Easterly of Battle Creek, and Mike (Eleanor) Durock of Kalamazoo, and several nieces and nephews. Mary enjoyed many hobbies and interests during her long life, golf being one of her favorites as she and her husband were members of Marywood Country Club for over forty years. They also enjoyed many dances at Marywood and at the Saturday Evening Club. She also volunteered with the Leila Auxiliary for more than forty years. While living in Bellevue during her married life, she sang in the choir at Bellevue United Methodist Church, and later on her return to Battle Creek, sang in the choir at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. She retired from Sears after 20 year working in customer service. Some of her favorite times, other than golfing and participating in family events, were her trips to Florida with her best buddies, Barb, Lenoir and Phyllis. She also loved to bake, sew, knit, crochet and garden. Mary’s smile and always happy personality will be sorely missed by her large family and many friends. At her request, cremation has taken place and private interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 157 Chapel Hill Drive, Battle Creek, MI 49015 or The First Tee, World Golf Village, 425 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32092.

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