Obituaries

Mary Ellen King, age 52, Weston, born in Ann Arbor MI on February 15, 1957, died Thursday, January 28, 2010 at Saint Clare's Hospital, Weston.

Mary Ellen grew up mostly in Antigo and Ringle. As a child she enjoyed swimming in the pit and bareback horse riding with her brothers and sisters. In 1976 she married Korey King and they had three children; Kristy LaRae, Collin David and Katie Rose. Mary loved her children dearly and cherished her three grandchildren Jordon William, Zackery Hunter and Haliey May. In 1991 Mama Mary embraced two step children into her life: Terrah and Brandon Revior.

She will be remembered for her zany zest for life, her ability to call her children to the house with her loud whistle!, her love of the holidays, including her annual wicked witch costume accompanied by her cackling witch laugh. Mary enjoyed the outdoors and spent her summers camping and walking through nature. In the winter she loved to go snowmobiling and was a big Dale Earnhardt fan.

What most of us will remember of Mary is her absolute love of music. Mary grew up in a family filled with guitar playing and harmonic singing. She taught herself to play guitar when she was in her mid 20’s and has been playing and singing ever since. She enjoyed singing Coat of Many Colors, Little Andy, Ole Slew Foot, Rocky Top and had just learned to play Old Jackson Brown with her good friends Julie Wanta and Diane Benbrick. Her adoration for music continued in listening to Patsy Cline, The Judds, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Wilson Phillips, Carole King, Hank Snow and Hank Williams Jr. among many others.

Mary was a giving soul and spent her life taking care of others as a CNA. She loved her residents and always made sure they had the best of care. Even in death she is helping others as an organ donor.

Mary’s family includes her children, Kristy (Holly) King, Denver, CO, Collin (Angie) King and Katie King, all of Hatley; her grandchildren, Jordon, Zackery and Haliey; her parents, Clyde and LaVerne (Vogels) Howard, White Lake; three brothers, Ted (Alice) Howard their family Lisa, Travis, Josh and Brian; Mike Howard and his family Linda, Mikey and Mathew; Pat Howard, all of Antigo; three sisters, Debbie Howard (Wayne Schroepfer) and her family Maria, TJ, Amanda and Kyle, Antigo; Genevieve (Raymond) Ponshock, White Lake and their family Bobby, Rick, Pat, Gerry and Tina; Barbara (friend-Randy) Groshek, Mole Lake and her family Troy, Danny Lee and Casey; and nephew Timmy Howard Jr. Mary was preceded in death by one brother, Timothy Clyde Howard and his daughter Heidi.

Mary also had many friends that felt like family to her including her close friend Rocky Gotchy, Deb and Rick Nelson, Terry and Steve Anderson, Lori Goodearle, the Loomis Family, Hoffman Family, Nevienski Family, and her extended family at Wellington Place including Tracy Jacke, and all of her many residents and co-workers. Along with so many others…

Mary’s family would like to thank everyone for their strength and support.
“And he will lift you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of his hand.”

We will always love and miss you mama.