Mary Frances Barden
April 12th, 1932 - February 3rd, 2015
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Mary's Obituary
Mary Frances Barden, 82, of Casco Township, South Haven, passed away February 3, 2015 at home.
Mary was born April 12, 1932, in South Haven, the daughter of Earl and Ethel (Martin) Merlau. She graduated from South Haven High School in 1949, then attended County Normal in Allegan. She began teaching at the age of 16 at Saddle Lake School. She taught at several other country schools, then taught in the South Haven School system, retiring after over 25 years of teaching. During her teaching career, she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Western Michigan University.
Mary worked as a civilian employed by the U.S. Air Force, teaching at Upper Heyford Air Force Base in England in 1958, and NATO Headquarters in Oslo, Norway in 1959. She loved traveling, gardening, photography, stamp and coin collecting, and she volunteered frequently with the Casco United Methodist Church, Casco Band, Casco Garden Club, Ladies Aid and other organizations. She was a charter member of the Southwest Michigan Chapter of the American Bell Association. Mary and her husband, Richard operated a fruit farm, and later a bed and breakfast called ‘Elmhurst Farm Inn’. Mary loved spending time with others, and she always took an interest in other people’s lives.
Mary leaves behind her husband of 54 years, Richard David Barden, daughter Kristin (Greg) Rorrer of Corvallis, OR, son Rich (Laura) Barden of South haven, grandsons David and Mark Barden and Chris Rorrer, and granddaughters Jane Barden and Julie Rorrer. Also surviving are her brother Martin (Ardith) Merlau and sister Amy Putnam.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, February 6, 2015 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Casco United Methodist Church with Revs. George Fleming, David Meister, and Harold Filbrandt officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Mary’s memory to the Casco United Methodist Church, 880 66th Street, South Haven, Michigan 49090.
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