Grethel Estella Bearman Obituary (1928 - 2011)

Our loving wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma and sister began a new journey peacefully and surrounded by her family on January 10, 2011 at Sparrow Hospice of Mid-Michigan at the age of 82. Grethel Estella Stine was born on July 12, 1928 in Altona, Michigan to Guy and Ona Stine, the eleventh of thirteen children. After graduating from Eastern High School, mom met dad, Walter J. Bearman, at a dance in Mason in 1948 where he declared (before they had ever met) that he was 'going to marry that girl over there'. Indeed, on October 29, 1949 they exchanged wedding vows at the Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids where they continued to live, work and raise their family. Mom worked with and supported dad in the Bearman Insurance Agency for more than 40 years. She was a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, going through the chairs and serving as Worthy Matron. Whether it was sports, Scouts, band concerts, proms or parades, mom was always there for us. She enjoyed watching her Greyhounds, Spartans and Tigers. She loved to bowl, play cards and fish. Mom always lit up when her grandchildren were around. Her last year was spent at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility where she was loved by all. Mom dedicated her life to caring for others while always putting herself last. Preceding Grethel in death were her parents, brothers and sisters; Cecil, Gerald, Daniel and Carl Stine, Marjorie Stine, Lucille Cory, Elizabeth Hopkins, Ada Allen, Martha Calhoun and Arlene Burt. Missing her greatly are her husband of 61 years, Walter J. of Eaton Rapids; 3 children, Shar (Dick) Johnson of Grand Ledge, Walt (Karen) Bearman of Lansing, John (Teresa) Bearman of Zeeland; 6 grandchildren, Greg (Theresa) Johnson of Lansing, Heather (Pat) O'Grady of Jeffersonton, VA, Serena Bearman of Washington, D.C., Jenna Bearman of Lansing, Julie (Mike) Bailey of Grand Rapids and Michael Bearman of Ann Arbor; 7 great-grandchildren, Xiao Rui, Mitchell, Nicholas, Miranda and Gavin Johnson and Caroline and Patrick O'Grady; 2 brothers Tyrus (Laurene) Stine of Vermontville, Robert Jack Stine of Greenville;sister-in-law, Mary Stine of Sand Lake; more than 40 nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 17th at 1:00 PM at the Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids, with Pastor Jeff Schrock officiating. Family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM followed by an O.E.S Memorial Service and 12:00 -1:00 PM on Monday. Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Foundation, Sparrow Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or any group of your choice.