Phyllis King, 77

Phyllis J. King, age 77, of Sherwood, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010, at her home after an extended illness.

Phyllis was born May 15, 1933, in Moran, a daughter of the late Phillip and Esther (Becker) Belonga.

Phyllis had lived in St. Ignace early in life, moving to the Sherwood area in 1953.

On April 18, 1953, she married Don B. King in St. Ignace. He preceded her in death on March 25 of this year.

Phyllis was a loving mother who enjoyed staying home with her children.

She was member of St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Colon and a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. She enjoyed camping, traveling, feeding the birds and especially her family.

She is survived by five children, Kathy (Richard) Shipe of Sturgis, Karen (John) Hess of Howe, Ind., Linda (Tom) Thoms of Tekonsha, Don (Tina) King Jr. of Constantine and Kristine (Michael) Schoiber of Sherwood; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four sisters. Nedra Hough, Patty Martin, Janice (Alan) Werkheiser and Judy (John) Windanely, and a brother, Dale (Delina) Belonga, all of St. Ignace.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Joan Adams; and three brothers, Ronald, Mike and Billy Belonga.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4-7 p.m. today at the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon. A memorial Mass will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Colon, with Fr. Richard Fritz officiating. Private burial of ashes will take place at a later date at Lakeside cemetery in Colon.

If desired, the family suggest memorials be made in memory of Phyllis to the Community Health Center of Coldwater’s Cancer Institute. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church the day of the service.