Marjorie (Marge) Joan Brink, age 90, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 8, 2022, at 3:45 AM.

Marge was born to Roy and Hazelle (Sprague) Brown in Big Rapids, MI on December 30, 1931. She graduated from Morley High School in 1949 and married Jim Brink in 1950. Jim and Marge were the originators and owners of Brink’s Body Shop for over 40 years, where Marge worked beside Jim as secretary-treasurer. They both enjoyed their winters in Jensen Beach, FL.

She was a 60-year member and served in multiple capacities at First Baptist Church, and most recently attended Charity Baptist Church. Marge was a 50-year member of TOPS and the Jump and Run Extension group of MSU and also participated in 4-H.

Marge is survived by two sons, Steven (Brenda) Brink of Nappanee, IN, and Mark (Cindy) Brink of Lansing, MI; four grandchildren, Maggie (Daniel) Carr, Christy (Kevin) Harrold, Eric Brink, and Amy (Vince) Lott; as well as six great-grandchildren; and a very special niece, Marilyn Myers. For many years, Marge anxiously awaited her reunion in Heaven with her husband Jim Brink and two infant children, David and Susan. She was also preceded in death by her parents, sister Doris (Melvin) Blake, and brothers Franklin (Fuzzy) Brown and Robert (Dorothy) Brown.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Evergreen Terrace Assisted Living.

A celebration of life well-lived will be held at Charity Baptist Church on Friday, May 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastors Josh Dellinger and Dave Rowland officiating. The family will greet friends and family one hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Charity Baptist Church, Spectrum Health Hospice, or the Alzheimer’s Association. The private burial will be at Pine Plains (Byers) Cemetery in Big Rapids, MI. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Liane Walsh, 65, of Big Rapids, passed away April 19, 2022, with her family by her side.

She was born October 25, 1956, in Big Rapids, the daughter of Wayne and Anna May (Hurdle) Schuberg and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1974.

Liane married Earl Walsh in 1974, and together they enjoyed 47 years of marriage. Liane was a wonderfully kind woman with a smile that could light up any room. She enjoyed gardening and canning. She was a great cook and loved baking goodies for her family and friends. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, and making everlasting memories with her grandchildren.

Liane is survived by her husband Earl; their three sons, Luke (Samantha) Walsh, Levi (Miranda) Walsh, and Logan (Michelle) Walsh; eight cherished grandchildren, Logan, Mara, Rowen, Ivy, Breslyn, Gatlin, Ginny, and Emerson; her parents; three sisters, Lynn (Bob) Horan, Lisa (Mike) Herrick, and Lori (John) Weipert; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to ARC of Mecosta County, 18400 220^th Ave., Big Rapids, MI 49307. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Jane Ann Allen, 92, of Big Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Altercare of Big Rapids.

She was born on October 29, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan to Frank and Stella (Maczuga) Muczynski, and graduated high school at St. Ladislaus in Hamtramck, Michigan. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles Allen Jr. for 63 years.

Jane loved to cook her famous Polish dishes for her family. She had fun traveling to Las Vegas and many other casinos. She enjoyed playing rummy while drinking a few glasses of wine with “her girls”. Jane was a huge sports fan of multiple sports and teams. In her earlier years, she was very artistic, bowled, golfed, and played bingo. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Jane is survived by her loving sons, Charles (Lisa) Allen III of Clinton Township, and Dr. David (Jill Pence) Allen of Big Rapids; treasured grandmother of Deana (Adam) Monzo and Paige Allen; adored great grandmother of Liam and Brady Monzo; dear sister of Richard Muczynski; and many nieces and cousins. Jane was preceded in death by her sister-in-law Joan Muczynski.

Private family services and entombment will be in the Resurrection Cemetery of Clinton Township. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com

Amielia (Amy) Joan DeLuca, 55, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully March 17, 2022.

She was born March 24, 1966, in Detroit, the daughter of John and Marlene (Gilbert) DeLuca, and lived in St. Clair Shores before the family moved to Stanwood, MI. Amy graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1984, and then earned her Associate degree from Ferris State University, where she studied surveying and land engineering.

She was an avid traveler, and worked in the beautiful mountains of Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. Amy enjoyed the great outdoors and was an expert snowboarder and amateur mountain climber and photographer.

Amy was the kindest soul you'd ever meet. She was tenacious and strong, and gentle and kind. She touched the hearts of all she met.

Amy is survived by her mother; sisters Jolene and Diane; brothers John (Karen) and Robert (Kathy); nephew Ian; and her dear friend Khris Heeter. She was preceded in death by her father.

Amy will be remembered in a Memorial service on Saturday, June 4^th, 2022, beginning at 3:00 p.m., at the DeLuca family farm in Stanwood, MI. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

The Honorable Joanne C. Emmons, 88, of Big Rapids, passed away Thursday, March 31, 2022, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Born the eighth of February 1934, to Ray and Emma (Von Glahn) Gregory, and raised on the family farm in Rodney, Michigan, Joanne graduated valedictorian from Mecosta High School in 1952, and took her baccalaureate degree from Michigan State University in 1956. That summer, she married John Francis Emmons, and by fall was teaching home economics at her high school alma mater, a post she filled for the next two years. What would become a remarkable life of unstinting public service was well underway.

For ten years, she served as the elected treasurer of Big Rapids Township. For five years, she chaired the Mecosta County Republican Party. From 1981 to 1986, she was a member of the Michigan Townships Association Board of Directors, and was for two years on the board of the Michigan Municipal Treasurer's Association. Starting in 1987, Joanne served two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, and three terms in the Senate, serving as majority floor leader – the first female to do so in Michigan history – during the 91st Legislature.

Among her proudest associations was her work with Michigan Right to Life, protecting and advocating for the rights of the state’s unborn children and their parents. She also recently served as chairman of the board of directors of the Russel Kirk Center, focusing on the development and promulgation of conservative thought. Joanne loved experiencing the arts in her community, and sought to share them with any and all through active participation and generous support at every level and abroad to bring joy into her life and into the lives of others.

Springing from deep family roots in the local farming culture, Joanne’s active gifts of loving care reached ever outward as family merged into local community, and on to township, district, state and country. She was constantly traveling among her people near and far, sharing her experience, knowledge, and interest with all, wherever she went. Her adventurous and generous spirit meant that loved ones often joined in her travels and were rewarded with myriad precious memories. Despite having been everywhere, she seemed always at home, as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The farmhouse was ever warmed by her generosity, illumined by her hospitality. In the summers throughout her life, she could be found out in her garden teasing delights from the mid-Michigan soil. Fruits, vegetables, jams were carefully preserved for her family and friends through her formidable mobile canning operations – she once canned fish in Alaska to bring back to Big Rapids.

Joanne was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and was a ready witness that the good things that characterized and flowed from her life and work came first from her Lord and God, Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, and by her two brothers, Jerome and Marvin. She is survived by her two daughters, Sarah (David) Nutter of Eugene, OR, and Dorothy (Glenn) Bancroft of Spokane, WA; 6 grandchildren, Neill (Jaclyn), John (Réka), and Ian Nutter, Hannah, Heidi, and Henry Bancroft; 5 great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Anthony, Alyson, Ayden, and Tas; and 1 great-great-grandson, Weston; sisters-in-law Joyce Emmons of Big Rapids and Adeline Emmons of Traverse City, MI; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 8, 2022, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church with Pastor John Bookshaw officiating. Burial will be in Highland View Cemetery. Joanne’s family will greet friends from 3 – 6 p.m., Thursday, April 7, 2022, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, and after 10 a.m. on Friday at the church.    Memorial contributions in her name may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.