Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Abshire, Marilyn Alice (Bullard) November 2023
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Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net May 21, 2024, 4:56 pm

Ionia Shopper's Guide -Sat. November 11, 2023

                     ABSHIRE

On August 22, 1931, Marilyn Alice Bullard was born in Three Rivers,MI to Maude 
Alice (Burgess) and Cecil laVern Bullard. She was the middle daughter of the 
five children in her family. Terrie Joyce Bullard and Willa "June" Bullard 
Dechnik Alexander were older and Bonnie Cecil Bullard Oakes and Shirley Helen 
Bullard Carter were younger. Marilyn was the last surviving member of the 
family.

Marilyn always liked telling stories, from those she made up to tell her mother 
about her teacher before she even had a teacher to the many true stories about 
her childhood that she wrote for her children. Family was always important to 
Marilyn. As a young child, she loved going to her grandmother and grandfather 
Burgess's farm to have Sunday dinners with her extended family and to chase the 
chickens around the yard. Marilyn was a child of the depression and moved many 
times during her childhood as her father's employment changed. Consequently, she 
changed schools 11 times yet still managed to graduate with honors at the age of 
16. After graduating from Three Rivers high School n 1948,  Marilyn rented as 
apartment and supported herself by working at the Three Rivers Commercial when 
she was only 16 years old.When William Abshire whom she had known in high school 
showed u at her door to ask for a date, she said yes.This was the beginning of 
their 69 years together.

Marilyn and Bill's married life took them from Three Rives to the student 
apartment in Kalamazoo to Jackson and finally on to Saranac. they spent their 
last 53 years in the same house on Main Street raising their 8 children and 
being wonderful grandparents to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marilyn was a very progressive and intelligent woman.After raising her children, 
he went on to college.She received a Bachelor of Science degree Magna Cum laude 
from Aquinas College and worked toward a master's degree from Western Michigan 
University. This brought Marilyn and Bill back to the student apartments of 
Western that they had lived in when stating their married life.Marilyn became an 
adjunct professor at Aquinas and GVU teaching geography classes to college 
students.

Marilyn had many hobbies and interests some of which included sewing, 
embroidery, China Painting, genealogy, conservation, cooking, singing, all thing 
Irish, John Denver music. the Democratic Party and she had a special passion for 
writing. She loved to travel, and she and Bill took their 8 children tent 
camping throughout the United States in their VW bus. They continued to travel 
throughout their marriage.

Marilyn's main passion was being a devoted wife and mother.She played a large 
role in assisting Bill throughout hi college years and professional climb to 
become a prion Warden. Marilyn was truly a wonderful mother and grandmother.She  
was always there for each and every one of her children. They all knew they 
could count on her to help them with problems big or small. Marilyn raised her 
children with patience, kindness and love. Marilyn's family cannot adequately 
express the depth of love they had for her. She was and will always be deeply 
loved.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband,William Abshire II, parents, 
sisters, her Christine Abshire, sister and brother-in-law Alice and Art Jeffers, 
and brother-in-law Jim Abshire.

She is survived by her son William Abshire III, daughters Nancy (Paul) Doyle, 
Leslie Bendall, Abbie Abshire, Sally Abshire, Robin (Phil) Furman, and Caroline 
"Carrie" (Marty) Smith.She is also survived by 11 grandchildren,James Stewart, 
Jason Abshire, Jillian Skym, Mark Bendall, Will Bendall, Corinn Wojciechowski, 
Jean Paige, Bob Flanagan, Mary Paiz, Marty Smith, Joshua Smith, 28 great-
grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

At Marilyn's request, the family will have a private memorial. In lieu of 
flowers and in honor of Marilyn's memory, please tell someone a story of your 
childhood or read a chid a book.

Arrangements in care of Lake Funeral Home of Saranac. Online condolence may be 
made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com


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