Mary Ellen (Quinlin) Thome

Mary-Ellen Thome, 95, of Ionia, MI, passed away Friday, October 18, 2019.  She was born in Chicago, IL, on March 23, 1924 to John and Adele (Eckardt) Quinlin.  On May 21, 1949, she married Walter J. Thome of Sparta, MI, in Chicago. They had met while serving as attendants in a wedding.  She was preceded in death by her husband Walter, parents, sister, Alice, brother, John, several sisters- and brothers-in-law, son-in-law, Mark Weber, and daughter-in-law, Susan Thome.

Mary-Ellen graduated from Iowa State University where she studied experimental cookery.  Afterwards, she tested egg recipes with Armour Foods to be used during WWII.  During her long life, Mary-Ellen traveled widely and enjoyed culinary pursuits, sewing, knitting, gardening, reading, letter writing, and playing piano and organ.  By far, her favorite activity was to keep in touch with each and every family member.  She was strong in her faith.

Mary-Ellen is survived by her nine children, Adele (Mark) Williams, Virginia Weber, Robert (Connie) Thome, John (Carla) Thome, Ellen (Kent) LeCureux, Anne (John) Da Via, Margaret White, Michael Thome, and Stephen (Amy) Thome. Her 23 grandchildren are: Sarah (Tom) Ran, Katherine Williams, Bethany (Preston) Saenz, Erin (Kyle) Hines, Rebecca (Keith) Lechleidner, Merideth (Michael) Ryabik, Emma Thome, Luca (Giorgia) Thome, Alessandro (Paola) Thome, Matthew (Stephanie) LeCureux, Michael LeCureux, Amy (Brennan) Harvey, Carrie Da Via, Alex (Crista) Da Via, Jack Da Via, Elan White, Megan White, Elizabeth Thome (fiancé, Paul), Julia Thome, Grace Thome, and Eleanor Thome.  She has 14 great-grandchildren: Finnley, Sydney, London, Andrew, Matthew, William, Andrew, Giovanni, Kammie, Noah, Rowan, William, Zoe, and Emma.  Also surviving are her sister, Marcella, many sisters- and brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements have been made with Lehman Funeral Home, 220 Rich St., Ionia.  Visitation will be Thursday, October 24, from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM with a rosary prayed at 7:00 PM.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 434 High St., Ionia, on Friday, October 25, at 11:00 AM.  Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Ionia, immediately following the funeral.  In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorials be made in her name to S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

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