Cathern Bush

Cathern Joy Bush (McGinnis) went to her heavenly reward on Saturday, December 17, 2005, at Good Shepherd Retirement Center, Peoria, Arizona, surrounded by her family. The family will receive condolences at Collon Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 21, 2005, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and the hour before 11a.m. services on Thursday, December 22, 2005, at Sutton-Sunshine Methodist Church, 2988 N. Colwood Road, Caro, MI conducted by Pastor Patrick Robbins. Joy was born in Millington, MI, on February 27, 1924, to Warren and Cathern Maude (Dennis) McGinnis. She graduated Millington High School, class of 1941, and then attended one year at Hurley School of Nursing in Flint, MI. She married Robert W. Bush on January 3, 1943 and moved to Caro. Their union produced one daughter and three sons. Although she would not have considered herself “progressive”, Joy was an equal working partner in the dairy farm operation. She brought her own Holstein cows to the Bush farm, forming the basis of their future dairy herd. In addition to helping run the farm, Joy was active in her community. She volunteered with Sutton-Sunshine Methodist Church, her childrens rural school, as a 4-H Leader for 20 years, and with the Farm Bureau. When the dairy farm operation ceased in 1963, Joy worked at Caro Community Schools as a Food Services baker. She and Robert moved to Saginaw Township in 1975, where she continued as a baker for Saginaw Township Schools. During retirement Joy and Robert took RV trips across the U.S. including Alaska. They finally decided to split their time between winters in Surprise, AZ and summers in Gladwin and Caro. Joy created and stitched quilts and linen tablecloths for all her children and grandchildren as gifts at holidays and weddings, crafts that she has passed on to her daughter and granddaughters. Many will remember her wonderful gifts of cinnamon rolls, cookies, and pies. She always had warm hospitality and could whip up a full meal in minutes for anyone who stopped by near mealtime. Left to cherish her memory are daughter, Camellia (Richard) Wilsie of Clio and Sun City, AZ; sons, Dale (Cindy) of Traverse City and Dana (Carol) of Grand Blanc. Grandchildren: Larissa Wilsie of Highland Park, NJ, Ryan Wilsie of San Francisco, CA, Jason (Kristti) of Caro, Jenna of Adrian, Jared of Caro, Jordan of U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, JoDee of Caro, Julie (David) Caulfield of Whitefish Bay, WI, Kelly of Boston, MA, Andrew of Farmington Hills and Steven of East Lansing. Great-grandchildren are Seth, Sarrah and Steven Bush of Caro. Brother, W. Bryce (Esther) McGinnis of Davison and Palmetto, FL, and several nieces and nephews and dear friends. Preceeding her in death are husband, Robert W. Bush, son, David Bush, daughter-in-law, Raye Lynn (Ihrke) Bush, her parents and a brother, Dale McGinnis. Interment will be in the Almer Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Sutton-Sunshine Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 2988 Colwood Road, Caro, MI 48723 or to the Sunflower Worship Service, 16501 El Mirage Road, Surprise, AZ 85374 or to the Saint Judes Childrens Hospital. Envelopes will be at the funeral home.