Mary Ellen (Kemp) Garlick, age 80, of 220 Midway Drive, Negaunee Township, passed peacefully in her sleep into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 15, 2017.
Mary was born November 19, 1936 in Iron River, MI to Hilda Makela, and adopted by Laura (Grigg Woolgar) and Frederick Kemp. She was a graduate of Stambaugh High School, Class of ‘54. She married her high school sweetheart on April 30, 1955, and together they raised 3 daughters and 1 son, moving to the Negaunee area in 1966. Mary graduated in 1973 from Northern Michigan University with a BS in Education and later with a Master’s degree in Special Education.
Mary was employed for 25 years as a special education teacher with the Negaunee Public Schools, retiring in 2000. She had been a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Negaunee for many years, and most recently attended Bible Baptist Church in Ishpeming. She enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and spending time with her family. She loved music, played the piano, sang, and wrote some of her own music. Mary also enjoyed creating art using various media.
Surviving are her 3 daughters: Jeannette (Donald) Klimmek of Marquette, Catherine (Wayne) Moilanen of Negaunee Township, and Susan (Michael) Wiljanen of Negaunee; a son, Paul Garlick (Robert Marcelini) of Iron Mountain; 8 grandchildren: Richard (Lisa) Pleaugh, Brandon (Nicole) Klimmek, Melissa Klimmek, Linda (Paul) Marshall, Laura (Max) Nault, Amy Lakanen, Matthew Wiljanen, and Morgan Wiljanen; 13 great-grandchildren: Danielle Pleaugh, Luke Sides, Mason & Easton Hartz, Madison Klimmek, Deklan, Corbin, Brodie, and Archer Marshall, Paige Wiljanen, Daniel Wood and Marley & Melody Wiljanen; 4 brothers: Melvin (Georgia) Makela, David (Susan) Makela, Kenneth Makela, and Edward (Pat) Woolgar; 4 sisters: Muriel Norgren, Clara Reinhardt, Laura Lou (Bud) Grenier, MO, and Bonnie (Allen) Halverson; 2 brothers-in-law: Carl (Marlene) Garlick and Jerry (Sue) Garlick; 2 sisters-in-law: Shirley Ghilard, and Patricia (Kenneth) Soileau; and several nieces and nephews, including Veronica (James) and Krista White of Marquette.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Garlick in 2007; her father Frederick Kemp; mothers, Laura Kemp and Hilda Makela; 4 brothers: Ernest Makela, Ernest Woolgar, Chuck Woolgar and Earl Woolgar; and an infant daughter, Linda Ann Garlick.
The family wishes to thank Mary’s special friends Linda DeGabriele, Patti & Doug LaFond, and Lori Mulkey for their love and support. They also express appreciation to the staff at Norlite Nursing Home and Mill Creek Assisted Living for their gracious and sensitive care of Mary.
A service to celebrate her past life and her heavenly homecoming will be held at 1:00 pm at Bible Baptist Church in Ishpeming, MI on Thursday, April 20th with Pastor Benjamin Marx officiating. Burial will be in Northland Chapel Gardens. The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:30 am until the time of services at 1:00 pm at the church on Thursday and also at a luncheon immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Mary’s memory to a charity of your choice.

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