Died April 27, 2007

Empire — Alice Marie Deering, 81 life long resident of Empire, passed away April 27, 2007, at her home with her family by her side.

Alice was born on January 10, 1926, in Empire, to Laban and Fannie (Wilson) Grattopp. On October 26, 1946, Alice entered into marriage with Mark E Deering at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Empire.

Alice was very active always staying busy raising her seven children or helping out at the family grocery store. She was involved with the Empire Women’s Club, Empire Auxiliary Lions Club and the Empire Heritage Museum. Alice enjoyed spending time quilting and helped as part of the “Empire Quilters” to provide quilts each year to the Fire Department Fundraiser. She was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, a parish she truly loved acting as the organist there for many years, as well as being in the Altar Society. Alice was known throughout the area for her wonderful talent of decorating cakes of which she did for many special occasions. Alice will be deeply missed by all that knew her.

Alice is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Mark; six children, Philip (Sue) Deering, Janet (Stan) Fox, Michael (Diane) Deering, Mark (Tammy) Deering, Linda (Bob) Chase, and David Deering; twelve grandchildren, Kim, Ryan, Josh, Emily, Peter, Chelsea, Matt, Alissa, Wyatt, Nick, Mark and Heidi, a sister, Frances Pendleton, as well as many other loving family members and friends.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Albert Grattopp, and son, Donald Deering.
Visitation for family and friends will be Monday, April 30, 2007, from 6 until 8 p.m., at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Empire with a 7pm Vigil Service.

A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled to take place at II a.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2007, also at the St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Reverend William Lipscomb will preside.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice or the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home: www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.