Doris Jean (nee McClay) Hanson, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 20, 2023.

 Doris was the fifth of seven children born in Fremont, Nebraska to Floyd and Irene McClay. She had a love of music that according to her siblings started from her crib, stating that she sang before she talked. She married the love of her life, Lawrence Hanson, in 1959 and they had three daughters, Dawne Patterson, Carla Staffen, and Kathy Kaminski. They lived most of their family life in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Doris was a quiet person who calmly and efficiently managed to successfully carry out multiple careers, was a dedicated volunteer in a variety of civic activities, and above all had a rewarding family life as a wife and mother. She had her priorities in order because even though she had a demanding job and was involved in many outside activities, she always placed her family first.

Doris graduated from Draughon’s Business University and later in life, studied art at Ferris State University. She worked as an executive secretary for the City of Big Rapids. She was also an accomplished sketch artist and painter whose art was not only given to family & friends but displayed and sold at Art Works. In her spare time, she held many board positions of the Intermediate Women’s club including the president; she helped with arts & crafts at Hillcrest Elementary school; was a Sunday school teacher; volunteered at Friendship Club, a program set up with the local mental health clinic for outpatients; introduced Patch the Pony program to elementary schools which was designed to teach children the dangers of accepting rides with strangers; sang in the church choir; played in a musical group, the Sunshine Strings which played at many nursing homes and town events. So generous in trying to make her community better, she was named woman of the year in 1982 in Mecosta County. She was also awarded the Working Mother’s Day Proclamation by President Ronald Reagan that same year.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Lawrence Hanson, her sister, Arlene Graham, and her brother, Charles McClay. She is survived by her daughters: Dawne Patterson (Rich Brown), Carla (Tim) Staffen, and Kathy (the late Michael) Kaminski, and grandchildren Joey Patterson, Sara (Nate) Maddern, Nick Staffen, Krystyna Kaminski, and Andrew Kaminski; great-grandchildren, Roman, Braylynn, and Sienna; her siblings: Leroy McClay, Verla Swearingin, and Janice Sommers and Ralph McClay; Wilbur (June) Hanson and Virginia Filipe, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

 The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at The Brook of Big Rapids, Isabella Medical Care Facility, and Promedica Hospice who helped make Doris’s life enjoyable in the last years of her life. A celebration of life is being planned for later this summer so that her extended family can be together to honor her life. In lieu of flowers, to honor Doris and her generous spirit, please consider giving to your favorite charity or church. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

John Robert Bassett, 70, of Big Rapids, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

He was born December 16, 1952, the son of Idan and Dorothy (Peepers) Bassett. John graduated from Reed City High School in 1971, and later attended Ferris State College.

John was a kind and gentle soul who loved to read and listen to music. For the past 30 years he lived at Jayne's House (Assisted Living) where he was very happy and well taken care of. The family would like to thank Jayne for her wonderful care.

He is survived by his sister Dorothy Bassett, and several extended family members. John was preceded in death by his parents.

No services are planned at this time. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Wesley Swain Thompson (Big Wes, Grandad, and Poppy), 75, passed away unexpectedly at his winter home in Gulfport, Florida on Monday, March 13, 2023.   

Wesley is survived by the love of his life, Mary Doriene Hoover, from Ada, MI. Wesley and Mary would have celebrated their Golden Anniversary on March 24, 2023. Big Wes’ loss was very sudden; his entire family is stunned and deeply saddened. 

Wesley was born to Everett and Lorraine Thompson, February 27th, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York.  Wesley graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Willingboro, New Jersey; after graduation he enlisted into the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Vietnam War on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Hornet, in Southeast Asia.  Wesley proudly served 4 years of active duty and 2 years in the reserves, until his honorable discharge in 1972. 

Wesley received an associate of Applied Science in Automotive Service, from Ferris State College in Big Rapids. He went on to further his education at Ferris, earning a Bachelor of Science in Trade-Technical Education, and later earned his Master’s in Industrial Education from Central Michigan University. After graduating from Ferris, Wesley made his career teaching automotive, welding, and special education at Chippewa Hills High School in Remus.   Wesley had a profound impact on many of his students; he was a dedicated educator who enjoyed shaping the lives and future career paths of his students.

Wesley took his family every summer to the house where he spent his adolescence, in a quiet little colony called Manunka Chunk on the Delaware River in Columbia, New Jersey, south of the Delaware Water Gap, giving his family a chance to experience his east coast life, and many happy memories. 

Wesley lived life to the fullest; even after his retirement from Chippewa Hills in 1998, he shifted his gears to learn something new.  He received his real estate license in 2001 and went on to work for Rivertown Reality in Big Rapids, until 2010, when he “officially” retired to enjoy the Michigan winters in Gulfport, Florida. He would always come back to Big Rapids to enjoy the spring/summer seasons! 

Wesley had an immense passion and talent for playing the drums and upright bass, spending many weekends playing in bands throughout West Michigan. Wesley enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening, traveling, and just having a good time with his family and friends.  Anyone who knew Wesley knew that he was a caring, loving, passionate, warm person. 

He leaves as his legacy two children, Veronica DeYarmon (Scott) of Columbus, OH, and Wesley Swain Thompson II (Melissa) of Big Rapids. He also leaves to cherish his memory three grandchildren,  Andrew Franklin DeYarmon, Jackson Wesley Thompson, and Nathan Everett Eagle.  He leaves his older brother and his children, Roger Thompson (Sue); niece Sarah Henix (Ken), and three nephews, Mathew Thompson (Pam), Benjamin Thompson, and Nathan Thompson (Erika).   

 Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 27, 2023, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Pastor Robert Kahly officiating. Spring burial will be in the Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids.  Wes’s family will greet friends at the funeral home beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday.  Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) . Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Margaret Helen Schonberg, 96, of Big Rapids, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at home.

She was born August 28, 1926, in Lansing, MI, the daughter of John and Edna (Sobotta) Mishler.  Marge was the second oldest of six children.  She was married to Harold Schonberg on June 21, 1947, and lived in Owosso where she enjoyed gardening, cooking and bird watching.  After retirement Marge and Harold moved to Big Rapids to be near family.

She is survived by her daughter Brenda (Tony) Ochmanek of Holland; two grandchildren Tony Jr (Nelly) and Lisa (Mike); five great-grandchildren; sister Marolyn Zinser of Dewitt; sister-in-law Marie Mishler; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Harold in 2006, her siblings and their spouses, Joseph and Margaret Mishler, Darwin Mishler, Donald and Yvonne Mishler, Ruth and Richard Earnest, Annabelle and Richard Yost, and brother-in-law, Herbert Zinser.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 11:00 am, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Big Rapids, with Pastor Jeffrey Weber officiating.  Burial will be in the Highland View Cemetery in the spring. Marge’s family will greet friends beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Redeemer Lutheran Church. Envelopes will be available at the service. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.