Jean Avery, 94

Jean M. Avery, age 94, formerly of Mendon and Lake City, died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at Thurston Woods in Sturgis. She was born in Centreville, on July 11, 1924 the daughter of Harry and Blanche (Worthington) Yearling. She graduated from Centreville High School with the class of 1942, and worked at the Ration Board in Three Rivers during the war. Jean was married to Earl B. Avery on Nov. 11, 1944 and they made their home in Mendon for the next 34 years. She worked for Jefferies Grocery and the Haas Corporation for a short time before becoming a cook at Mendon Schools. She was a member of the Mendon Women’s Club, and a Mendon Hornet fan. Jean and Earl moved to Lake City in 1978 where she continued to cook at Lake City Schools. She has resided at Thurston Woods since 2014.

Jean is survived by four children, Elizabeth “Betty” Birch of Portage, Robert (Audrey) Avery of Burr Oak, William (Wanda) Avery of Manton, and Daniel (Tonya) Avery of Garrett, IN; four granddaughters, Teresa Avery, Lisa (Mike) Shugars, Karlene (Ben) Jones, and Brenda (Bruce) Gillett; four great-grandchildren, Kody Sisson, Shelby (Anderson Golf) Curley, Abigail and Taylor Jones; three great-great-granddaughters, RayLynn and Eliah Sisson, and Aspynn Elizabeth Golf. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl; twin sister, Jane Lints; sister, Charlene Lytle; two brothers, John Yearling and Donald Tessman; and a great-grandson, Jacob Curley.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has been conducted. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 am Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Memorial services will begin at 11 am at the funeral home with Pastor David Stevens of the Leonidas Baptist Church officiating. An interment will take place later in the spring in Lake City, MI. The family suggests that memorials be directed to Thurston Woods. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com