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Mary Joseph, 102, of Onekama, passed away peacefully from this life on January 4 at Paul Oliver Hospital, Frankfort.
Those who knew Mary remember her fondly for her love of family, her deep appreciation of nature, her devotion to her church, and for her keen intellect, wit, and joy in the little things in life. She spent many happy hours watching the birds from her windows. She had a love of literature and poetry, and to the end of life delighted in reciting poems she had learned as a child. She had many creative outlets, especially paper cutting, a craft reflective of her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. At the end of her life, when most of her memory and mental coherence had been stripped away and all that was left was the core of Mary, she a being of love and gratitude, a blessing to us all. God take her and hold her…
Mary was born in New Enterprise, Pennsylvania, to Noah and Hannah Deal, the youngest of eight children. The family moved to Onekama when she was five, attracted by invitations to Church of the Brethren families to be part of new communities and churches. She soon met David Joseph, and they became friends and lifelong companions. David preceded her in death in 2007. They had four children, Alice (John) Ross, Ellen Somsel, Philip (Susan) and Timothy (Wanda), eleven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
After Mary and David were married in 1936, they moved to the farm on Joseph Road where the raised apples and livestock. In the 1950’s David began work in building and cottage maintenance and when they lost their house to fire they built a new house on Portage Point Road. In retirement, they began many years of church-related service, first Brethren Volunteer Service at the Brethren service center in Maryland, then at a hospital in rural Puerto Rico. That was followed by a number of years building houses with Habitat for Humanity, mainly in the southern U.S. Mary worked in the offices of habitat in Americus, GA. They enjoyed traveling and visiting their many friends. In later life they spent winters near Sebring, Florida at a brethren retirement complex, where the enjoyed the fellowship of friends from Michigan and across the country.
Mary was devoted to their church, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, and holding many offices at the local and district level. She was active in the farm Bureau and the Extension Club. Mary and David were strong supporters for many years in the development of the memorial Hospital on the south side of Portage Lake. She helped found and worked with the Hospital Guild Thrift Shop. Mary led a full and rich life, and she was a busy and hard working person, proud of her children’s accomplishments but modest of her own.
She was the last of her generation in the Deal and Joseph families and takes with her a great store of wisdom and history. She did indeed live in interesting times.
Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.
Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Mary’s personal page at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a photo or memory with the family.

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