Mildred Grace Ballagh

Mildred G. Ballagh, age 88, of Gotts Corner, near Caseville died Monday evening, November 14, with family by her side, at Three Rivers Area Hospital, Three Rivers.
She was born August 20, 1917 at the home of her parents, the late Joseph and Rosalia (Witherspoon) McBride near Caseville. She attended the Rock City School and graduated at age 15.
On May 20, 1939, she was united in marriage to William J. Ballagh at the Kinde Presbyterian Manse. Bill preceded her in death February 1, 1998, celebrating 58 years together.
Mildred was a very active woman, raising a family, helping her husband on the farm and working at Michigan Sugar for a time. She was well known as a correspondent and writer for the Elkton Advance, Pigeon Progress and the Huron Daily Tribune for over 50 years.
She was a member of the Chandler Presbyterian Church, serving as treasurer, elder, Sunday school teacher and Women’s Guild. While in Three Rivers the past seven years, she attended the Three Rivers Church of the Nazarene. She was also a member of the Rush Lake Farm Bureau, coordinator of many Rock City School reunions, loved flower gardening, cooking, her family and was known as the family historian.
Surviving are four children, Marilyn (Gary) Gascho of Chula, GA, William (Janet) Ballagh of New Lothrup, Sally (Tony) Lopez of Holt and Mary (Fred) Grunert of Three Rivers; nine grandchildren, John Gascho, Laura Provost, Bill Ballagh, Lisa Clothier, Andy Ballagh, Sonya Ridge, Chris Lopez, Dana Nichols and Fred Grunert.
Also surviving are 13 great grandchildren, John Joseph Gascho, Andrew and Katie Grace Provost, Amanda, Bill, Daniel and Joseph Ballagh, Kelli, Katie and Cole Clothier, Ava Ballagh, and Kiah Nichols and Allison Grunert; her brother, Robert (Irene) McBride of Standish, and two sisters-in-law, Frances McBride of Caseville and Eva Ballagh of Bad Axe. Preceding her in death were three brothers, William, Kenneth and infant, Forest McBride and two sisters, Marguerite Rodgers and Clara Laming.
Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Saturday, November 19, at the Chandler Presbyterian Church. Rev. Robert Anderson, pastor of Three Rivers Church of the Nazarene will officiate with burial next to her husband in Colfax Twp. Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton from 2 to 9 PM Friday and at the church after 10 AM on Saturday.
Memorials may be given to the Chandler Presbyterian Church or the Three Rivers Church of the Nazarene.