Mabel Alice DUCH

DUCH, Mabel Alice -- Age 89, of Swartz Creek, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at her home. Mabel was a kind and gentle soul. She was born on May 30, 1922, in Lansing, MI, the daughter of Wallace and Florence (Lucas) Chandler. She married Albert Duch on May 30, 1943 in East Lansing. Mabel was a graduate of Michigan State University. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1965 and a master's degree in 1970. She was a teacher in the Swartz Creek Community Schools for 19 years, retiring in 1982. In addition to being an educator, Mabel was a puppeteer and a poet. She was a published author of several magazine articles and the following books: Easy-To-Make Puppets, Poems to Grow On, Primarily Puppets, and Neighborhood Animals. Mabel was a member of the United Methodist Church of Swartz Creek, the Swartz Creek Women's Club, the Puppeteers of America, The Detroit Puppeteers Guild, Urban Walkers, and Great Lakes Organization of Walkers. She was a sponsor of Child Fund International. Mabel is survived by her husband, Albert Duch, of Swartz Creek; two daughters, Charlene Allen of Traverse City and Denise Edwards (husband, Richard) of Springfield, Illinois; her grandson, Eric Edwards of Springfield, Illinois; sister, Jean Hughes of Bothell, Washington; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Wallace Chandler, and two sisters, Flora Lyon and Mary Edmonston. Services will be held 1 PM Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek with Rev Kevin Harbin officiating. Interment will follow at Swartz Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held 3-8 PM Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Swartz Creek or Benedictine University at Springfield, c/o Susie Doddek, 1500 North Fifth Street, Springfield, IL, 62702. Friends may share an online tribute on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.

Visitation

Friday, January 27, 2012 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Miller Road Chapel
8138 Miller Road Swartz Creek 48473, United States