Maryellen Burdick

MaryEllen Burdick, 84, of Battle Creek, Michigan died at Boschway Adult Foster Care Home on Sunday, August 7, 2016.

MaryEllen was born December 19, 1931 in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wesley and Camilla Cory. She was raised in Madison and was a 1949 graduate of East High School.

While in high school she met the love of her life, Spencer Alan Burdick, during a youth dance at The Loft, a local club. They were united in marriage on April 7, 1951 and were happily married for 57 years. She and her husband built their dream house at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri where they lived for the last 15 years of their lives together, until his death in 2008.

Along with raising her family, MaryEllen became the Director of Volunteers and Service to Military Families for the American Red Cross in Battle Creek. She also served as a Red Cross volunteer in Illinois and Missouri. MaryEllen spent her life volunteering and serving in the United Methodist Church and Church Women United. She was a woman of great faith and prayer.

MaryEllen was a lifelong learner, exceptionally well-read, and travelled with her husband throughout the United States and the world. She loved reading, crossword puzzles, birds, and her pets. She had many friends and loved to entertain.

She loved good red wine and dark chocolate. She loved the penny slots at any casino, where she often won.

She always believed the best of everyone, finding the silver lining in any circumstance. She loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Surviving are four children, John (Carole) Burdick of Yucca Valley, CA, Susan (John Cumbers) Burdick, Linda (John) Grap and Barbara (Michael) Dowell all of Battle Creek; six grandchildren, Kenneth Kilpatrick, Nathan Burdick, Sean (Tati) Grap, Matthew Grap, Allison (Jordan) Shepherd and Leah Dowell. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Marjorie Roberts and Petey Stevens.

MaryEllen was a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Battle Creek and former member of Ozark Chapel United Methodist Church in Laurie, MO.

Friends will be received 10:30 – 11:25 a.m. Tuesday, August 16, at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, where a memorial service to celebrate MaryEllen's life will be officiated by Pastor Chad Parmalee starting at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at Roselawn Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.