Margery Painter
January 1, 1942 – November 6, 2022
Margery (Marge) Painter died suddenly on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at home, surrounded by her husband and children.
Margery was born January 1, 1942, in Fairbury, Illinois to William and Jean (Pottinger) Schneider. Margery spent much of her early childhood in Minnesota. Her mother was a public schoolteacher, and her father was a research chemist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and later an instructor at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. The family moved to Midland, MI when Margie was starting 6th grade.
Margery was a talented cellist and played in the Midland, MI high school orchestra and the Western Michigan University orchestra. She was a gifted artist, winning community art contests as a student.
After high school, Margery enrolled at WMU, where she was an art major. It was at WMU where she met Lyle Painter, a history student and tuba player in the university band. Margery and Lyle quickly fell for one another. They were married on July 28, 1962, in Kankakee, Illinois. Ten months later, their first child, Elizabeth was born in 1963 then sons Michael in 1966 and Stephen in 1971.
Margery spent many years as a homemaker, raising her three children and supporting her husband’s career in education. In the 1980’s she returned to school at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, MI to pursue a degree in nursing. She worked at the TC Osteopathic Hospital and the Munson Medical Center in Traverse City as an RN before retiring in 1995. After retiring, Margery and Lyle moved to the Upper Peninsula in Curtis, MI to design and renovate Lyle’s parent’s family home. Margery continued to follow her artistic passions in retirement, spending countless hours in the sewing room she had designed herself. It was in her sewing room where she constructed intricate quilts and encouraged her grandchildren to follow their own artistic interests.
Margery was a past president of the Curtis Area Chamber of Commerce. During her period as president, she was one of the persons influential in establishing the first Art on the Lake art show. That endeavor ultimately became the present Erickson Center for the Arts. Additionally, Margie was a realtor with Statewide Realty. With her real estate background, and her love of the arts, she was instrumental in helping Dick Erickson acquire the land for the present Erickson Center for the Arts in Curtis. She also served as the first treasurer of the original arts council.
When the Curtis winters started losing their appeal, Margery and Lyle become “snow birds” and spent the winter months in Naples, Florida. Relaxing on the beach, gardening, local arts, community events, and catching up with dear friends were activities she looked forward to year-round.
Margery will be remembered most for her fierce and unconditional love and loyalty to her family and friends.
In addition to her parents, Margery is preceded in death by her beloved sister, Dorothy Schneider Fraker, on October 6, 2022. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Lyle Painter; daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth and Mark Hayes of Curtis; son Michael Painter of Curtis; son Stephen (Stacey Allen) Painter of Curtis; grandchildren Abigail Hayes (Steven) Plominski of Grand Rapids, Benjamin Hayes of Marquette, and Erica Painter of Hazlett, MI. She is also survived by her brothers Michael (Betsy) Schneider of Spokane WA, William (Sharon) Schneider of Denver, CO, brother-in-law Thomas Fraker of Arlington, VA, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2023. Memorials may be directed to either the Erickson Center for the Arts, P.O. Box 255, Curtis, Michigan 49820 at www.ericksoncenter.org or the Mariucci Beacon House, 200 S. Seventh Street, Marquette, MI 49855 in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Dennis James St. Ours
March 7, 1960 – November 6, 2022
Dennis James St. Ours, age 62, passed away unexpectedly at Aurora Bay Area Medical Center on November 6, 2022. He was born in Escanaba, MI on March 7, 1960, the son of Harley Edward and Marlene Marie (Guertin) St. Ours. Dennis attended schools in Engadine, MI and graduated from Engadine High School with the class of 1978.
Dennis worked at Superior Trucking LTD out of Peshtigo, WI as a OTR Truck Driver, and spent the greater part of his life in Menominee, MI. He was of Catholic faith. Dennis truly enjoyed his career as a truck driver. In his free time, he could be found with his loyal dog Fogul, and loved spending time gardening vegetables, listening to classic rock and keeping up with the news and weather. Any time he could, Dennis looked forward to being with his kids and grandson. Dennis will be missed by his family and friends.
Dennis is survived by his sons Joshua James St. Ours of Manistique, MI, Jason Albert (Aly) St. Ours of GA; mother Marlene Marie St. Ours of Marquette, MI; brothers Mike St. Ours of Christmas, MI, and Brian St. Ours of Washington state; sister Denise (Brud) Vanlandshoot of Munising, MI; grandson Micheal James St. Ours of Manistique, MI; and girlfriend JoAnne King of Menominee, MI. He was preceded in death by his father Harley Edward St. Ours, and former wife and mother of his children Christina Marie Booth.
Memorial contributions in Dennis’ name may be sent to the family for future designation, care of Joshua St. Ours at 118 S. 3rd St. Manistique, MI, 49854. Fausett Family Funeral Homes of Manistique is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be posted on their website at www.fausettfh.com.
Verla Irene Burton
October 1, 1935 – November 6, 2022
Longtime Curtis/Germfask resident, Verla Irene Burton, 87, died Sunday afternoon November 6, 2022 at her son, Pete Burton’s, residence and with the care of North Woods Home Care and Hospice.
Born October 1, 1935 in Newaygo County, Michigan, daughter of the late Abie and Flossie (Jones) McGahan, Verla moved with her family to Germfask in her youth.
On July 1, 1952, Verla married Charles Burton in Newberry and made Germfask their home. In addition to being a devoted homemaker raising her family, she held various employment during lifetime. Her hobbies included reading, gardening, needlepoint and dancing with her late husband.
In addition to her parents, Verla is preceded in death by her husband Charles on September 10, 2002, son Donald and siblings Elda Watson, Eula Burton, Lola Swisher, Lona Sutinen, Floyd “Cub” McGahan, Velma Smart, Mary Lou Knoll, Julius “Pete” McGahan, Edwin McGahan and Glenn McGahan.
Survivors include her children Tuffy (Jodie) Burton of Lakefield, Charleen (Paul) Scott of Kinross and Pete (Marnie) Burton of Curtis; 12 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; siblings Lena McGahan and Harland McGahan both of Curtis; daughter-in-law Debbie Burton of Newberry; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Verla will be held Saturday November 19, 2022 at 11:30 am at the Germfask United Methodist Church with Pastor Devin Lawrence officiating. Following the service, a luncheon will take place at the Germfask Town Hall. Interment will take place at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Germfask.
Memorials may be directed to the Germfask United Methodist Church, PO Box 135, Germfask, Michigan 49836 for camp scholarships in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
